Kapamilya actor Anthony Jennings candidly admitted that there was a point in his career when fame began to affect him, leading to changes in his attitude and behavior that he now looks back on with reflection and humility.
Speaking in a recent episode of the podcast ‘Think Talk Tea’, the actor opened up about the lessons he learned from both success and controversy, particularly after finding himself at the center of public scrutiny in recent years.
When asked directly if he believed he had become arrogant at one point, Anthony did not shy away from the question.
“Oo naman,” he admitted. “Hindi naman siguro sobrang yabang gaya ng iniisip ng iba, pero may mga pagkakataon na napapansin kong nagbago ako.”
According to the actor, one of the signs that fame had started influencing him was his tendency to miss commitments and dismiss certain engagements that he considered unimportant at the time.
“Parang inisip ko masyado akong busy para diyan pero kaya mo naman gawan ng time,” he explained. “May mga hindi ako sinisipot talaga.”
Looking back, Anthony now recognizes those actions as unprofessional and says the experience became a wake-up call for him.
The actor shared that the challenges he faced—including the controversy that linked him to actress Maris Racal—forced him to pause, reflect, and reevaluate his priorities.
Rather than immediately trying to repair his image, Anthony said he chose to focus on understanding himself first.
“Binigyan ko muna ng time yung sarili ko para maintindihan kung ano yung mga naging problema ko before. Sinettle ko siya isa-isa talaga,” he said.
Part of that process involved stepping away from social media and reconnecting with the people who mattered most to him, including his family and longtime friends outside the entertainment industry.
Those relationships, he said, helped him regain perspective and reminded him of the values he had begun to overlook amid his growing popularity.
Today, Anthony considers himself more self-aware and grounded.
“Ngayon, wala na ‘yun. Binabago ko na yung sarili ko. Feeling ko mas self-aware na ako,” he shared.
One of the biggest lessons he learned was the importance of distinguishing genuine issues from online noise. He also realized that not every controversy requires an immediate response, believing that some matters are best addressed through time and personal growth rather than public statements.
Despite the difficulties he encountered, Anthony views the experience as a blessing in disguise.
“Masaya ako na napagdaanan ko ‘yun,” he said, noting that the challenges helped him rediscover what truly matters and allowed him to become more focused on his goals as an artist.
The actor also addressed a common misconception among fans who often perceive him as aloof or unfriendly. Anthony clarified that his poor eyesight sometimes makes it difficult for him to recognize people from a distance, leading to misunderstandings.
Beyond acting, he revealed that he has recently been exploring new skills and hobbies, including learning how to operate an aircraft and building furniture such as cabinets.
Professionally, Anthony continues to enjoy a string of opportunities following his period of reflection. He is set to headline the supernatural comedy series ‘Nurse the Dead’, which premieres on June 12. The project is notable for being the first Filipino-produced series filmed in Hollywood and is directed by Filipino-American filmmaker Mark Labella.
Joining Anthony in the series are Jelynn Sophia Malone, Princess Punzalan, Ruby Rodriguez, Gigette Reyes, and Tootsie Guevara.
For Anthony, the journey serves as a reminder that success is not only measured by career milestones but also by personal growth.
“Masaya din ako sa pamilya ko na nandiyan para sa akin,” he said, emphasizing the support system that helped him navigate one of the most challenging periods of his life and career.
