Pia Wurtzbach, Iza Calzado admit people kinder to them because of beauty, privilege
MANILA, Philippines — Actresses Pia Wurtzbach and Iza Calzado acknowledged that being beautiful, rich and famous are among the reasons why they get good treatment from people around them.
In a sit-down interview with Philstar.com and other select press following L’Oreal Paris’ “Sayang? No, I’m worth it” campaign launch in Manila last week for which Pia and Iza were among the endorsers, the actresses got real on being beautiful and privileged.
“I'm not going to deny, of course, that I am aware of my privileges,” said Pia. “I am aware that I, I have a, you know, like the reason why people listen to me and the reason why I have a phone because of my achievements and because of Miss Universe.”
Being beautiful and privileged, however, do not excuse Pia from facing challenges in life.
“But then the challenge is also there. I also don't want to be the only reason why people are attending and coming to events like this and listening to what I have to say and supporting my cause is because of that… It’s because I’m Miss Universe, that's what I'm trying to break. Like I don't want to be stuck in that stereotype. I don't want be stuck in a box where, oh it's because you're pretty to look at and there's also a title with you.”
The challenge for a beauty queen like her, she said, is to prove that she is more than just a pretty face.
“What I've learned is that my worth isn't measured by a crown or a title, the number of likes I get on each post or the brands that decide to work with me. These things are fleeting! One day, I won't be this young anymore. I won't be this healthy anymore and maybe I won't have this big of an audience listening to me anymore,” Pia said at her speech for the campaign launch.
“I have decided that my worth is based on the lasting impact that I can hopefully continue to share with people who still look at my journey…”
Iza, for her part, had been told that others were kinder to her because of her beauty and privilege.
“Kat Cruz, my stylist, before, would tell me, ‘It has nothing to do with beauty. It’s more of like privilege, I guess.’ I said, ‘People are nice.’ She said, ‘That's easy for you to say because you’re Iza Calzado. People are nice to you.’ You know, to this day, medyo hirap akong tanggapin ‘yon but maybe it’s true. Maybe people are nicer to me because of that. They see me onstage or on films. But ako kasi, I’d like to believe that the heart of every human being is good…”
According to Iza, it is not a question of beauty and privilege, but how one uses these for the common good.
“There are many kinds of privileges… more money, more power. And because of that, there are many responsibilities also,” she said.
“I am not here to downplay what I have been blessed with, but it is, I guess, how I used it also… I have to use it beyond myself, what serves me. That’s why I use it, the stories, the struggles, the privilege and the power to further empower those who may need it.” — Videos by Deni Bernardo; additional video editing by Martin Ramos, Anjilica Andaya
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