Sparkle GMA Artist Center new talent Ahron Villena disclosed a troubling experience from his early days in the entertainment industry.
During a guest appearance on ‘Fast Talk With Boy Abunda’ on Thursday afternoon, March 21, alongside fellow Sparkle contract star Luke Conde, Villena revealed instances of exploitation he faced when he was just starting out.
He recounted a specific incident during a movie shoot where he was asked to apply plaster as part of his cameo role. However, someone intervened and insisted on doing the task themselves, despite Villena already being assigned to it. Although he sensed something was wrong, he did not protest, feeling pressured as a newcomer in the industry.
“During a movie, yung plaster, kailangan kong mag-plaster, and then cameo role lang ako sa movie na yon. Tapos hinanap ako and then, pagpasok niya, sabi niya, ‘O bakit sila naglalagay niyan? Ako na maglalagay niyan.’ Sabi ko, ‘O sige po,’ tapos feel ko parang may something, pero hindi ako umangal,” Ahron shared.
He continued, “I was too young and siyempre, kumbaga, sa industry natin, baka sabihin, ‘Ang arte naman ni Ahron.”
Villena chose not to divulge the identity of the individual responsible for the exploitation, even though the behavior persisted off-camera.
Additionally, Villena addressed the persistent rumors surrounding his sexuality. Despite facing ongoing speculation about his sexual orientation throughout his career, he maintained that as long as he remains true to himself and does not harm anyone, he sees no need to justify his personal life to others.
“But as long as you know yourself, at wala kang natatapakang tao at wala kang nasasaktan, hindi mo kailangang magpaliwanag sa iba,” he asid.
Villena’s candid revelations shed light on the challenges and pressures faced by newcomers in the entertainment industry, highlighting the importance of addressing exploitation and discrimination within the sector.
