KYLIE VERZOSA ON HEALTH, LOVE LIFE AND NEW CAREER GOALS
Kylie Verzosa shared how she honestly feels about the seemingly unending comments about her body, which she has also repeatedly addressed on social media.
“Hindi naman,” she said when asked by The STAR if she ever gets offended by these comments. The actress and former beauty queen often answers these “body-shaming” remarks in a calm way. “I’m not bothered because I take care of myself. That’s what’s most important, and even if I take care of myself well, they still have something to say so...”
But contrary to what others may think, Kylie can confidently say she’s “very, very healthy.”
“I’m very athletic. I really take care of my health. I take care of my body. I take saunas. I make sure I take my vitamins. I’m on a strict diet. Well, I don’t think it’s a diet, it is already a lifestyle,” she further said.
“I really believe that you have to make yourself better, mentally, physically, emotionally with discipline. And the discipline that athletes have for their body, for their health, I think we are pretty aligned with that.
“You know actors, we need to be, like athletes, as physically fit as possible. I don’t think the industry now is just all about beauty, but the way you take care of yourself, too, that’s very, very important.”
Sharing the kind of diet and exercise that she follows, she said, “I go to the gym regularly. Not every day but whenever I can because I have been travelling a lot. So let’s say if I travel a lot, I make sure my diet is healthy.
“I don’t eat beef, chicken or pork for almy most five years (now). I’m a pescatarian. I stay away from carbs, and I limit alcohol and my sugar intake. I really don’t drink and I don’t smoke. I’m very, very disciplined with my body.”
She said she has her cheat days whenever she travels for a vacation.
“You know, I like to enjoy the food. Let’s say when I’m in Europe I have this like a slice of pizza or pasta or croissants. And maybe because, I don’t have the biggest appetite, too, I don’t eat so much but when I do, I go for sweets, milk tea, cookies and cakes.
“But on a normal day I’m very strict with diet.”
That’s why she couldn’t help but react whenever she would be criticized for supposedly being too skinny, the most recent of which was when she shared swimwear photos of herself while on vacation early this year.
“I don’t think I’m too thin, right? ‘Di naman ako nagbi-beach lagi and I really just wear a swimsuit at the beach. Siguro nagulat sila but I am pretty fit. ‘Di ba, hindi ako masyadong payat (in person),” she said.
Maybe it could be the photos or the angle, but in person, Kylie does look slim but not skinny. Not to mention, happily in love.
She recently trended on social media after poking fun at her photo with football superstar David Beckham, whom she met during a skiing trip in Chevelle in France (presumably with her real special someone), as her “jowa reveal.”
“All I can say is I am happy,” a beaming Kylie said, opting to still keep her relationship with a reportedly non-showbiz foreign guy private.
The STAR got to interview Kylie when she was recently introduced as the newest ambassador of SportsPlus PH (sportsplus.ph), a PAGCOR-accredited sports booking site offering access to over 30,000 sports events, such as basketball, soccer, tennis, volleyball, including leagues such as the NBA, PBA and English Premiere League. SportsPlus PH also has a sports updates and entertainment program, “SP+ Nation.”
It’s for Kylie’s dedication to fitness that she was chosen to be its brand-new celebrity endorser.
“Kylie perfectly embodies the athleticism and personal style that SportsPlus PH champions in its campaigns. She knows what it takes to represent the country on a global stage and flourish even when all eyes are on you. We’re looking forward to working with Kylie to take SportsPlus PH to greater heights,” said SportsPlus PH marketing manager James Velasquez during a press conference at Xylo at The Palace.
Since her latest endorsement was launched during Women’s Month, she shared that the most empowered thing she did recently was to begin her own business. “I really believe in doing whatever you want. I started my own business, it’s called SOLA, it’s an Asian shapewear brand… but we’re proudly made in the Philippines. Super happy it’s doing so well,” she said.
“So, pursue your passion, it’s never too late to start, believe in your vision, never give up on your dreams.”
Her next big dream, on the other hand, is “to work internationally more.”
In a way, the Miss International 2016 got a headstart after previously winning the Best Actress at the 2022 Distinctive International Arab Festivals Awards (DIAFA) for her performance in the movie “The Housemaid.”
She said that she wouldn’t have received the award if not for her late co-star Jaclyn Jose, who passed away last March 2 at the age of 60.
“Oh my goodness, when I heard the news, sobrang sad ako. It was because of her and other co-actors like Albert Martinez. I would want to dedicate my award to them, my first Best Actress award. Kung wala sila siguro, I wouldn’t be that motivated in the film.”
Recalling how it was like working with Jaclyn, she said, “Binantayan niya ako, she challenged me. She made me want to be better. She would instruct me, ‘Relax ka lang talaga, try to read this, do that.’
“It was my first lead role and siya pa ang co-star ako. At first, of course, since I was just a newbie, she would observe me. Pero nung pakonti-konti napapakita ko na sa kanya kung ano yung kaya ko, ayun, she supported me all throughout.”
She continued describe the Cannes-winning Best Actress as a very straightforward person.
“Miss Jane, yong company niya, super fun lang. Medyo taklesa (because) sasabihin niya talaga… what she thinks.”
And the most memorable words she said to Kylie?
“Maybe the most memorable is sinabi nya sakin na, may future ka. Pero sa huling-huli na ha, after 14 days (of shooting). Parang yun yung gusto kong kunin sa kanya and oh my God, nakuha ko na!”