'I wear what I feel good in': Andrea Brillantes on fashion, growing up, and being a fangirl
Andrea Brillantes is happy to enter her new era.
Now 22 years old, the former child star who grew up in front of the camera said that she's been a woman for quite some time now. Recently, she was announced as Tanduay's newest calendar cover girl. She shared that she's embracing a renewed sense of maturity in her career.
Her fashion sense has also evolved as she's grown up.
"Hindi na ako masyado sumusunod sa kung ano 'yung nag-te-trend. Ang style ko lang talaga is I just wear the clothes that I feel good in," the Senior High actress told members of the media, including PhilSTAR L!fe, at a Nov. 19 event where she was introduced as GUESS' first-ever local ambassador.
"Sa Philippines talaga, meron tayong 'dalagang Pilipina' na naging culture na nga siya eh. I think it’s time na we celebrate liberated women, 'yung mga babaeng confident to be themselves, to be in their skin. Ganun lang din talaga ako. Confident ako sa katawan ko, sa body ko, I’m happy sa mga suot ko."
Andrea added that she's just exploring her style, too.
"Tsaka 'di naman sa entering a more mature phase kundi I’m also just really growing up. Not trying to be more mature. It’s just I’m becoming a woman. I have been a woman for a while."
Andrea, the fan and human
On Nov. 13, Andrea got to attend the Wicked: For Good premiere in Singapore and even meet stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.
The actress shared that Cynthia asked her if she was okay during their meet-and-greet because Andrea couldn't stop crying.
"Ang hirap actually to meet another artist kapag celebrity ka din kasi alam mo din what’s going on for them. Parang sometimes alam ko they’re so overwhelmed na, especially noong time na meron akong solo meet-and-greet with them… 'Di ko na pinatagal ‘yung moment ko talagang ‘Hi, hello! I love you! I love you!'" the 22-year-old said.
"I’m always a fan first before an actress. Mahilig akong pumunta sa mga concerts, pumunta sa fan meet kasi I think I just have a big heart for creatives, mga artists sobra ko silang na-aappreciate talaga. I love music, I love acting," Andrea added, spilling that she has a Letterboxd account where she channels her inner film critic.
In December, Metro Manila Film Festival entry Rekonek, which stars Andrea, Gerald Anderson, Bela Padilla, and Charlie Dizon, is set to hit theaters. She'll also lead the cast for Rein Entertainment's upcoming drama thriller Laya, which is directed by Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo.
Andrea teased that she has something big in store for 2026. "Meron po akong inaayos na malalaking—hindi naman siya malaking project—but it really means a lot to me."
