It's Showtime host Anne Curtis brims with pride and gratitude after the unveiling of her wax figure at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong.
Read: Anne Curtis next Filipino celebrity to get own wax figure in Madame Tussauds Hong Kong
The special event, which took place on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at Discovery Primea in Makati City, was attended by Anne's family, members of the press, including PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), and fortunate fans who got a first glimpse of the stunning wax figure.
The journey to this moment began in December 2023, when it was announced that she would have her own wax figure.
In June 2024, it was also revealed that Lea Salonga would be part of this esteemed line-up.
Lea's wax figure was unveiled first in September 2024, and now it's Anne's turn to be honored and celebrated.
Both stars join the ranks of Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, all immortalized as wax figures.
Read: Filipino Celebrities with Wax Figures at Madame Tussauds
On this milestone, Anne said, "I'm just so happy and honored and grateful to all of my fans, my followers, my family in the industry who have been part of my career.
"I'm so thankful that you guys have supported me throughout the years. This is truly a core memory made for me today and I'm so happy to share it with all of you.
"So here's to dreaming big and making those dreams come true."
ANNE CURTIS: FIRST REACTION
When asked about how she felt upon seeing her wax figure, Anne revealed that she felt more astonished, as if she had discovered a long-lost twin.
"Ito pala yung feeling na may kambal ka. Ito pala ang tunay na feeling na meron kang kakambal. It feels very weird and surreal, but kind of cool."
It was actually Anne’s second time seeing her wax figure in person, the first being the night before the event.
The Kapamilya actress was equally touched by her loved ones' reactions upon seeing the figure for the first time.
"I saw it last night also but it, it's a different feeling when you see others seeing it for the first time as well pala.
"Kaya ako nakatingin sa lahat ng tao because I wanted to see how they would react. And they were just like, it was kind of cool."
In attendance at the unveiling were members of Anne's family, including her mother Carmen Ojales and sister Jasmine Curtis-Smith.
Tim Yap and Liz Uy also came. Nicole Anderson hosted the event.
Additionally, ABS-CBN's CEO Carlo Katigbak was also spotted.
Anne is particularly excited to see how her daughter, Dahlia, will react when she sees her mom's wax figure
She plans bringing her little gilr to Madame Tussauds Hong Kong.
She said, "We'll probably go visit it in Hong Kong... We'll visit her in Hong Kong.
"Hopefully we'll see maybe in December or maybe next year. Because starting December 9, she will be in Madame Tussauds Hong Kong by The Peak."
Anne also remembered her Pinoy fans in Hong Kong.
Drawing from her viral It's Showtime moment on social media, she remarked, "Lagi nila sinasabi, yung mga Kababayan natin, they'd go home on my birthday... Puwede niyo na po akong bisitahin sa Hong Kong!"
Read: Anne Curtis celebrates birthday in It's Showtime with OFWs
ANNE CURTIS: IMMORTALIZED
Anne shared intriguing details about her wax figure.
It captures her appearance at the reopening of Tiffany & Co.'s NYC flagship store, The Landmark, on April 26, 2023.
The wax figure is dressed in the same outfit Anne wore to the event, complemented by Tiffany & Co. jewelry identical to her own.
Anne explained that she chose the look to reflect timeless elegance, perfectly capturing her essence.
In her words, "It's something that would be timeless and elegan and what really speaks with how I personally dress.
"So we went with something that I felt was an iconic moment for me. It was my first comeback to the fashion industry, when I did a trip with my Tiffany family.
"And that's why we decided to go for this look."
The microphone was a key element.
She said, "The mic, in my 27 years in the industry, I felt that a microphone is such a powerful tool.
"And whether it would be hosting, giving a speech as a UNICEF ambassador, doing my spiels as a TV host on Showtime, or even doing concerts in Araneta Coliseum, it has been such a powerful tool for me and I felt like this really should be part of my wax figure."
MORE FILIPINO REPRESENTATION
The unveiling of Anne's wax figure at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong is a significant milestone for Filipino representation on the global stage.
Madame Tussauds Hong Kong Marketing Head Bobo Yu explained that Anne was chosen for her immense impact as an actress in the Philippines.
She told PEP in an exclusive interview, "Filipino, actually, is one of the key markets that we are always looking for.
"So when we design our next wax figure, we have a lot of research market to ensure we find the right person.
"Especially we need to find someone who has very remarkable recognition and some influences in the society as well.
"When we did a lot of... After our research, we found that actually she's [Anne] the one that we are looking for. And of course, she accepted."
She added, "Apart from the remarkable recognition, I'm sure we also need to see her impactful, especially when any influence to the society and the community as well.
"So she's the one because a lot of the younger generation also know her very well. Even when, like, I go to the shopping mall and turn on the TV, I also see her everywhere."
Bobo highlighted that Anne is the first Filipino actress and host to receive a wax figure, distinguishing her from Pia and Catriona, recognized in the beauty pageant category, Manny in sports, and Lea Salonga, whose figure is displayed at Madame Tussauds Singapore.
Anne's wax figure will be displayed next to global stars.
She said, "She will display at the A-list area where there are a lot of different nationalities and international wax figures like Chris Hemsworth, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt. Even Elon Musk, and Lady Gaga, as well."
Will there be more Filipino personalities immortalized with their own wax figures at Madame Tussauds?
Bobo confirmed, "Absolutely. This is our plan. So we are now doing a lot of research and find the right one. And then once we have the answer, we will announce."
Meanwhile, when PEP asked Anne which celebrities she would like to see featured as wax figures at Madame Tussauds, she shared a lengthy list of individuals she has in mind.
"In terms of local, I have so many on mind that have really made a mark, not only locally, but also on a global stage, whether I see Miss Regine Velasquez, Sarah Geronimo...
"I mentioned earlier... Vice Ganda, first LGBTQIA+ community as representation. Also BINI, Carlos Yulo, Kathryn Bernardo, Coco Martin, ayan."
Ultimately, Anne thanked her fans, followers, and family for their unwavering support.
Anne said, "I'm just so happy and honored and grateful to all of my fans, my followers, my family in the industry who have been part of my career.
"I'm so thankful that you guys have supported me throughout the years. This is truly a core memory made for me today and I'm so happy to share it with all of you.
"So here's to dreaming big and making those dreams come true."
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