Lexi Gonzales has a bit of acting experience for television.
This StarStruck hopeful was part of Star Magic, ABS-CBN's talent management arm, from 2016 up to this year when she joined the season 7 of GMA-7's reality-based artista search.
Lexi told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) about her stint as Kapamilya, "Naka-ilang teleserye din po ako pero puro po best friend, ganyan.
"Magpahanggang Wakas [2016)], best friend po ni Maika Rivera, 'tapos sa Pusong Ligaw [2017] po si Sofia Andres. May mga MMK po at saka Ipaglaban Mo."
She decided to try her luck in StarStruck after her contract with Star Magic expired.
And there were other reasons, "Marami po kasing artista sa kabila 'tapos matindi po yung competition," she said with a smile, perhaps to show she made the right decision.
Lexi added, "At saka dream ko po talaga ito since bata ako, nanonood ako kina Kris Bernal... 'tapos ngayon, I'm here na."
In the second episode of StarStruck 7 that aired on June 16, Lexi made it to the Final 14 with her acting piece about a failing student.
It felt for her like she was on top of the world, "Ang feeling ko po? Overwhelmed, overjoyed kasi nandito na po ako, finally!"
And when she finally came down, she found herself in the middle of events that have been all new to her.
She gasped, "Sobrang laking stepping stone po ito kasi mapasama ka pa lang sa Final 14, ma-experience mo na yung mga ganitong presscon!
"First time ko po kasing na-experience ito na hindi ko po na-experience sa kabila, 'tapos ang dami pong mga photo shoot, ganyan."
Through it all, Lexi said her experience at ABS-CBN has given her an advantage.
She said, "Tingin ko naman po, kasi alam ko na po. Ang sa akin po, lahat ng natutunan ko sa kabila, i-a-apply ko po dito.
"Kasi ito po, parang ibang environment naman po ito. May matututunan po ako dito pero yung mga natutunan po sa kabila, i-a-apply ko po."
Not only that, Lexi is also able to share with the other StarStruck hopefuls who know nothing about acting on screen what she has learned from her experience.
She cited as example her co-finalist Shayne Salva.
"Halimbawa, may time po si Shayne na, 'Ate Lexi, paano yung ganyan?'
"Sabihin ko, 'Ganito lang, ganyan, tapos yung hair i-ganito mo para mas mukhang maliit yung face.'"
LEXI IN STARSTRUCK FOR HER FAMILY
Aside from wanting to be an artista, Lexi also joined StarStruck for her family, especially for her younger brother who has autism.
In Lexi's VTR for her final audition, she revealed that due to financial woes, her brother stopped his operational therapy, which is going to be her top priority in case she wins the Ultimate Female Survivor title, which comes with a one-million-peso prize money.
She said, "Unang-una na mapag-therapy siya nang maganda, mapasok siya sa magandang school, yun po talaga yung priority ko.
"Yung therapy, para po sa kilos, behavior, kung paano po siya makipag-usap."
What can Lexi show to be deserving of the Ultimate Female Survivor title?
She answered, "Yung drive na talagang gusto ko ito, gusto ko ito para sa pamilya ko, ito yung gusto ko."
STARSTRUCK FINAL 14 HOPEFULS
After the nationwide search and the final audition held for the next StarStruck hopefuls, the names of the Final 14 were completed last Sunday, June 23.
The seven female contestants were: Pamela Prinster, Angelic Guzman, Dani Porter, Ella Cristofani, Shayne Sava, Lexi Gonzales, and Rere Madrid.
The seven male hopefuls who made it to the list were: Abdul Rahman, Karl Aquino, Kim de Leon, Gelo Alagban, Jeremy Sabido, Jerick Dolormente, and Allen Ansay.
Starting this Saturday, June 29, StarStruck viewers will see how the Final 14 will be immersed in various artista tests that include singing, dancing, and acting.
Their outputs will be presented to the StarStruck council for comments, recommendations, and evaluation.
This season's StarStruck council is composed of Heart Evangelista, Cherie Gil, and Jose Manalo.
The council's scores will comprise 50 percent of each StarStruck hopeful's total score, while the other 50 percent will come from audience votes.
StarStruck is hosted by Jennylyn Mercado and Dingdong Dantes, with Kyline Alcantara as the online host.