On November 11, Kapuso artist Kirsten Gonzales recalled the viral photo that helped her get discovered by Sparkle Management.
In an exclusive RAWR Nation interview, Gonzales detailed her days before entering showbiz.
“Ako, very strict kasi ‘yung parents ko. So ako lang ‘yung parang buhay madre na laging mag-aaral lang, papasok lang sa school, and then uwi na agad. And then dumating din ‘yung time na parang gusto kong tumulong sa family ko so nagbenta-benta ako ng liptint before–ng mga cosmetics ganyan.”
She then narrated how she began optimizing her social media accounts to help her get discovered as an artist.
“And then, nag-try na ako, sabi ko gusto ko talagang mag-artista, like ‘yung mga nakikita ko sa social media. So nag-start na rin ako, nag-fix ako ng mga IG feed ko, and then I started getting brand endorsements and then sabi ko parang gusto kong mag-modeling. So nag-ano ako, naghanap ako ng photographer sa Facebook and then nagkaroon kami ng collaboration.”
Thankfully, one of her photoshoots went viral on social media, which resulted in Sparkle Management discovering her as one of their newest Kapuso artists.
“So nag-photoshoot kami and then nag-viral ‘yung photos ko on Facebook and then doon ako na-discover ng manager ko and ng Sparkle, doon sa nag-viral na photos ko.
“Ginawa nilang meme, pero it’s a good meme naman. ‘Yung picture na ‘yun, nagbebenta ako ng tinapa, nasa palengke ako ganyan, and then mayroon ako ‘yung ukay-ukay na shoot. So parang very cute lang, very Filipino. Doon ako na-discover.”
After getting into GMA Network, Gonzales went through a year of workshops to hone her talent.
“Nag-start ako with GMA, I think workshop lang, for one year workshop, training, acting, dancing, lahat-lahat, even communication. As in, kumpleto talaga, binigay sa amin lahat ng Sparkle ‘yung lahat ng need namin.
“And then may mga kaunting guestings sa mga shows and photo shoots, and then dumating na ‘yung Sparkada, and nagulat na lang ako doon na part pala ako ng Sparkada. And parang doon na nag-start ‘yun.”
After that, she landed her first acting gig with the Kapuso series Regal Studio Presents: Your House, My Home.
“Sa acting milestones naman, parang every acting experience or mga project na nagawa ko na, parang lahat sila milestones sa akin. Ang nakapag-change lang talaga ng perspective ko is ‘yung pinaka-first ko.
“Kasi ‘yung pinaka-first ko is ‘yung Regal Studios and ang kasama ko noon ay si Miss Rita Daniela and si Ken Chan. Like first ever acting ano ko, experience ko is with them na. So parang, ‘Oh my gosh, pressure agad.’ Pero, they–parang they made me feel welcomed.”
Kirsten Gonzales is among the newest artist introduced by Sparkle GMA Artist Management under the group Sparkada.
Her projects included Imbestigador, Wish Ko Lang, All-Out Sundays, and LUV IS: Caught in his Arms.
