Shanaia Gomez has a refreshing take on her insecurities.
Talking to PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) at the Cosmo Beauty Playground 2023 event this November, Shanaia reveals she is learning to view her physical flaws with a positive mindset.
A LIST OF INSECURITIES
Like other celebrities, the Filipino-Italian singer has to deal with her insecurities on a regular basis.
One of these insecurities is the asymmetry of her nose.
"So sa akin, for example, tabingi yung ilong ko, pa-ganun siya," she shares while her fingers trace her nose's outline.
"A lot of people tell me na they don't notice it. Pero siyempre pag tumitingin ako sa mirror, ako, napapansin ko," she states.
Aside from her nose, she adds, "Lagi akong nagbe-breakout dito [cheek areas] so laging may something, and parang laging may discoloration yung face ko kahit anong gagawin ko.
"Kaya minsan kahit errands lang, lagi akong nagko-concealer kasi."
"Tapos," she pauses as if to catch herself from saying too much, "O, di ba, sabi ko marami.
"Well, ano, malalim kasi yung under eyes ko. Super malalim and dark, so minsan mahirap din takpan sa make-up kasi kita na papasok siya, e.
"So ayun maraming mga insecurities."
Read: Always puyat? Time to get rid of your eye bags, dark circles
BEING AN INSPIRATION
People usually shun talking about their "physical flaws," but not Shanaia.
"As much as possible, although it will really make me shy, or parang makes me a little less confident, I try to be more confident. I try to embrace it.
"Something that can make me feel so insecure can make someone else feel more confident."
This conviction has ignited Shanaia's optimism for fostering a more open dialogue within the entertainment industry.
"If only we had more artists, celebrities in Hollywood na talking about pimples or something like that, then it would help us people feel like, 'Okay, normal din pala yung may texture yung face,'" she elaborates.
She envisions a scenario where individuals might say, "'Hala tabingi din yung ilong ni Shai. Okay lang pala, tabingi din ilong ko so okay, good."
"Parang, 'Kung kaya niya maging confident na ganoon, e, sana ako din.'
"Or, 'Hala nagbe-breakout si Shai, ako din kasi andami kong breakouts.'"
The 21-year-old Pinoy Big Brother Season 10 alum ensures that she is intentional about infusing inspiration into her actions, especially as a public figure.
"I feel like everything I do naman, especially in the public eye, I do in hopes na sana may ma-inspire naman sa akin.
"As much as possible, I try to send a positive message and just let people know na it's super normal.
"The first step is normalizing it, not make it seem like, 'Oh my God, may ganyan ka? Not me!' Dapat parang 'Okay lang iyan, everyone has that.'"
She adds, "Those small things like that don't make up your beauty, sa totoo lang.
"Kasi ang dami kong taong nakikita na maraming blemishes sa mukha pero kitang-kita pa rin yung ganda nila. Ang ganda pa rin nila."
PLASTIC SURGERY
Addressing the topic of plastic surgery, Shanaia adopted a remarkably open-minded stance.
Read: Zeinab Harake no qualms about cosmetic surgery: 'Huwag pansinin yung mga talak-talak.'
"Sa totoo lang, okay lang sa akin kasi beauty, at the end of the day, is all about you and your confidence," she stresses.
"So kung para sa kanila, kahit feeling ko, 'Ah mas okay kung wala silang cosmetic surgery,' pero kung feeling nila mako-confident sila, e, who am I to say na hindi maganda or hindi tama."
In closing, she relates, "So basta happy sila and confident sila. Buhay nila iyan, e, okay lang iyan.
"Ako, if you're happy, you're confident with what you're doing, go.
"Basta just make sure na sure ka, na once you get that enhancement, mas masaya ka and that will make you feel better."
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