Celebrities share past struggles, tips on how to build confidence

MANILA, Philippines — Life is full of unexpected situations. So expect something you are not ready for to suddenly drop onto your lap and face it head-on. Be comfortable in your own skin, draw a little confidence from within, shake off those jitters and do what has to be done. Life is about picking oneself up when you are down and responding to whatever curveball life throws at you.

Speaking of confidence, some of our favorite celebrities and content creators are just like us; they sometimes struggle with it, too! Gabbi Garcia, Benedict Cua, Arshie Larga and girl group KAIA are sharing their experiences of finding confidence and shining in their moment, regardless of life’s unexpected surprises.

Actress Gabbi Garcia is no stranger to rejections and setbacks. The bulk of it happened before her biggest break, as Alena in "Encantandia" came. But in harnessing confidence, she was ultimately able to shine.

“Prior to [Encantadia], I faced numerous rejections during auditions and VTRs (video tape recording). Instead of getting discouraged by these experiences, I used them to toughen myself up. So finally, when I got that spotlight moment during the audition, I really grabbed the chance to step up. I really shone thanks to my acting skills, my smile and confidence!” Gabbi shared.

This sentiment is echoed by content creator Benedict Cua, who has also faced his share of nerve-wracking moments, most unforgettable of which was his first-ever hosting gig.

“[I have] stage fright, [and] it even intensified a few minutes before going on stage. What helped was reminding myself of all the little things that I do daily to prepare myself for [the day, such as] practicing, vlogging, [and] doing live. That’s when I realized the power of actually believing in yourself. The moment I got the mic, para akong nag-autopilot, from kaba to total enjoyment!” he said. 

Nerves can easily affect anyone — from a newbie to even the most veteran of stars — and Arshie Larga, while having amassed his large community of followers, has had his share of experiences finding his confidence amid his journey as a popular content creator.

“During the TikTok Awards 2023, I was invited kasi ako 'yung