Dawn Chang has had her fair share of controversies.
The Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) alumna, actress, dancer, and businesswoman is not the type to hold her tongue.
She's upfront, and openly talks about her stand about an issue or her emotions toward a person.
She confronts bashers, and faces controversies head on.
Dawn does not easily back down.
Let's look at the news that Dawn has been involved in, past and present.
On PBB issues
During her time inside Bahay ni Kuya during PBB:737, Dawn got into a few disagreements with fellow housemates.
One was with Tom Esguerra, who challenged her to a debate on who between the two of them is "less deserving and more deserving" to reach the top four.
During the conversation, Tom brought up the way she has been flirting with fellow housemate Zeus Collins even if she is in a relationship.
In a calm manner, Dawn told Tom, "I am not messing with Zeus."
Tom then pointed out the high slit of her dress. He said, "You know how a guy thinks and you abuse..."
Dawn threw in, "That's your problem and not mine. I can wear whatever I wanna wear... Your action, you should take responsibility of your actions. If you think I'm sexy, thank you very much. If you feel tempted of what I wear, that's your problem and not mine. I can wear whatever I wanna wear."
In the end, she did not agree to doing the debate, and did not care about Tom's opinion.
There was also an instance when Dawn accused housemate James Linao of being extra touchy.
James retorted that Zeus was even more touchy.
Dawn bluntly told James, "... si Zeus gusto ko, ikaw hindi. Kaya siguro may permission somehow sa akin na ok lang."
On quitting the girl-dance group GT
In August 2019, through her first YouTube vlog titled "Brutally Honest," Dawn admitted to quitting the all-girl dance group GT (formerly GirlTrends) because they "are not on the same page anymore." The group was a regular mainstay in the noontime show It's Showtime.
Dawn told a netizen, "No, I'm no longer part of GT."
She further explained, "Alam niyo, I've been dancing for 17 years now and being a performer is a huge, huge responsibility.
"I am supposed to share my talent and entertain. I am supposed to give an enjoyable and memorable experience to the audience.
"And I feel that I am not able to fulfill those traits and responsibilities as a performer when I am with GT."
Despite leaving the group, Dawn gave credit to GT for their hard work.
She continued, "Mastering an art takes a lifetime. You need consistent training, you need consistent practice, you need a very strong foundation, and a very, very strong discipline para mag-succeed o para gumaling ka.
"In all fairness, we have to give credit to these girls because they are trying their best.
"But I feel that we are not on the same page."
During that time, the GT members were already having some misunderstandings among themselves.
And just a week before Dawn's vlog, the group went viral for being out of sync in a dance production number on It's Showtime.
In October of the same year, Dawn took a swipe at her former group by saying, “Dapat kasi nagri-rehearse, yung eye for detail, dapat ganoon...
“Ayokong mag-trending. I don’t wanna trend for the wrong reasons.”
It is also known that Dawn and GT member Chie Filomeno are not on good terms up to now.
On relationship issues
In 2019, news of Dawn allegedly having a D.O.M (dirty old man) benefactor/boyfriend circulated online because of her sexy image.
She responded to these rumors by saying, “E, kasi, hindi maiiwasan, may mga gumagawa naman talaga.
“Pero, e, anong gagawin ko? I cannot control what they're thinking about me or about those kinds of stereotypes.
“Basta ako, this is what makes me happy. I’m comfortable in my own skin, sexy dance, ano ba, stereotype, e."
Then in 2021, she and her then-boyfriend, actor Justin Cuyugan, made headlines with their breakup. It was first reported when Justin made a series of cryptic posts on Instagram about a "narcissist" and leaving a "narcissistic relationship."
Dawn then followed with her own cryptic post showing a flower with the caption, "Always choose happiness."
Dawn and Justin became a couple in 2018.
On other controversies
Recently, Dawn made the headlines again when she made her sentiments known about the actions of former PBB host Toni Gonzaga. The latter hosted the proclamation rally of the Uniteam party of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte.
Included in the rally was party-list representative and senatorial candidate Rodante Marcoleta, whom Toni introduced to the audience jovially.
This garnered negative reactions because Marcoleta was one of the key people who denied ABS-CBN its franchise renewal.
In her Facebook post on February 9, Dawn posted (published as is): “It’s my greatest honor to verbalize what other people cannot say: I am deeply insulted and disappointed by the actions of my fellow kapamilya actress Ms. Toni Gonzaga.
"Paano nyo po nasikmurang suportahan at tulungan ang mga taong may malupit na nakaraan sa kasaysayan ng bansa at sa pagkawala ng trabaho ng mga kasama natin sa industriya?
“As a former PBB housemate, alam kong magtatampo nyan si Kuya.”
Dawn's statement raised a controversy and got mixed reactions: bashing from Toni and Uniteam supporters, and praise from those who agreed with her.
Dawn defended herself against the bashing, saying, “Hindi naman po porket hindi ako sikat ay mananahimik na lamang ako.
“Injustice happens when we choose to keep silent."
The controversy got bigger after Cristy Fermin said in her Radyo Singko program on February 10, 2022:
“E, pa-bash-bash ka pa, ikaw ang dapat i-bash, dahil wala kang mararating kung di ka nakikipaglandian sa mga boss, naku, ha."
This prompted Dawn's lawyer, Atty. Rafael Vicente Calinisan, to demand a public apology from Cristy Fermin, or else the young actress will file a case against the radio talk show host.
Dawn also asked for proof of kalandian.
Cristy, for her part, also demanded an apology from Dawn's lawyer for his "undignified language."
So far, as of March 3, 2022, there is no public apology nor any update about the issue.
But there's good news: Dawn has joined the cast of Darna.