Pearl Gonzales never imagined she would earn the title ‘Bida-Kontrabida Queen’ so early in her career. Bestowed during promotions for her breakout series ‘I See You’, the moniker both surprised and humbled her—especially since such recognition is usually reserved for industry veterans.
Pearl’s journey in entertainment began in 2013 as a Star Magic artist, where she spent three years in workshops alongside now-household names.
“Liza Soberano, lagi kong katabi sa workshops ‘yan! And then Corinne Medina, Ganiel Krishnan,” she recalled, noting how her batch also included several Pinoy Big Brother alumni. Those early bonds gave her a sense of community, even before her career took detours.
After stepping back from showbiz, Pearl entered the world of beauty pageants. She was crowned Miss Global Philippines 2018 and later represented Quezon City in Miss Universe Philippines 2023. Rather than a diversion, pageantry became an extension of her training.
“Parehong exposed din? Parang ibang industry lang, parehas na nasa lime light,” she explained, drawing parallels between the glamour of pageantry and the discipline of acting.
Her return to acting came with a deeper appreciation of the craft.
“Noong nabigyan ako ng break again ng TV5, sabi ko ‘okay, mahal ko pala talaga ang acting.’ Kasi, every role na binibigay nila sa akin, inaaral ko siya,” Pearl shared.
That dedication was evident in I See You, where she worked alongside veterans Dimples Romana, Joem Bascon, Cedric Juan, Xion Cruz, and Glenda Garcia.
“Inaaral ko, parang pinapanood ko sila kung paano sila umarte,” she said, treating every shoot like a masterclass in performance.
Pearl admitted she was caught off guard when she was first dubbed the Bida-Kontrabida Queen.
“Nagulat din ako eh. Wala din akong idea noong nabansagan ako ng ganyan… it was during our promo for I See You.”
The recognition was a validation of her versatility—able to command attention as a lead while also delivering the layered edge of a kontrabida.
Though she has explored thriller, horror, comedy, and romcom, Pearl revealed she is eager to dive into heavy drama.
As for leading men, she didn’t hesitate to name her “crush wish.”
“Siguro with Enrique Gil, siguro romcom? Parang gusto ko siya maging jowa sa kahit na series man lang, kasi crush ko naman ‘yun! Huwag nyo po ako ibabash!” she laughed.
Her ultimate dream collaborations include icons like Maricel Soriano, Judy Ann Santos, Dawn Zulueta, Jean Garcia, and John Arcilla.
“My gosh, I’m such a fan!” she gushed.
Despite her growing success, Pearl practices caution when it comes to announcing new projects. Out of respect for timing and to ward off negativity, she only shares updates once work officially begins.
It’s a small glimpse into the balance she keeps—ambition tempered with humility, and grit softened by gratitude.
In today’s streaming-driven industry, Pearl Gonzales stands out not just for her beauty queen poise or kontrabida flair, but for her willingness to embrace every role, every detour, and every lesson along the way.
