Andrea Brillantes is out here taking space and authoring her own set of rules. Often do we see cookie-cutter, glossy, and close-to-perfect images of celebrities across our screens and all over social media. So it’s refreshing to witness a young star veer away from that highly stylized mold. Unafraid to get real, the woman that goes by ‘Blythe’ is anything but ordinary. In fact, she banks on all the things that make her different. Spunk, sass, and a unique personality she never shrinks for the public — it’s easy to understand why all eyes seem to be on her these days. There are many factors that contribute to the massive success that is Andrea Brillantes, but they’re all rooted in a simple principle — her ability to stay bravely unfiltered, unapologetically choosing to embrace her style, flex her moves, snatch her crown, and share her vibe.
The actress comes from an emerging generation of women who aren't afraid to take control in shaping their own image. “I think I was only able to establish a unique sense of individuality when I started being myself. I stopped portraying this image na ‘artista ako I should be this, I should be that’. Kung saan ako masaya, dun ako. Hindi na ako nagko-conform sa sinasabi ng society sa akin.” Andrea’s acquired confidence is best reflected through her bold choices in fashion. “My style varies depending on different trends. It also depends on my mood whether I’m feeling girly, loud, boyish, or if I just want something comfy. It's basically a mix of everything that looks good in my eyes. ” A fan of color, Y2K trends, and rocking OOTDs with full confidence — it’s a no-brainer that mega fashion brand, H&M, chose Andrea to be the face of their latest Divided collection. The line features trendy and chic pieces that encourage Gen Z women to fearlessly express themselves, just as Andrea does everyday.
Never one to play it safe, she often goes for bold colors and trendy pieces like those seen in H&M’s latest drop. “Sobrang gusto ko talaga yung matching denim set, yellow pants, and the last layout with the colorful top and skirt. All the pieces from the collection are very me!” For the actress, the best thing about the line is that you can wear it absolutely anywhere! Whether she’s on the set of her latest project or filming another one of her highly-viewed TikTok videos — you can expect Andrea to rock the pieces while injecting her own sense of style. A staple item in the star’s wardrobe would be cargo pants or joggers, which we often see her wear while dancing or performing. No matter how big she gets, her ultimate style icon still remains to be her mom, the first person to teach her to be unafraid of mixing and matching pieces to express herself.
Admittedly, Andrea’s always been a fashionista at heart, but the actress’ humble beginnings led her to be a bit more frugal when it comes to shopping, a lesson she still carries to this day. That’s why she loves getting behind brands like H&M that offer trendy pieces at affordable prices. “H&M caters to everyone. The brand’s very versatile and quick to adapt to trends. And on top of that, they always have limitless options!” Like many of us, the actress is also a huge fan of online shopping. “I can shop for anything under the sun while laying in bed.” As her favorite H&M pieces drop on ZALORA, that ease and convenience is now made available for everyone who wants to enjoy the collection.
At the age of 18, where most artists are simply beginning their journey in the industry, Andrea has already built a whole empire for herself. Known for roles in popular TV shows like Annaliza and Kadenang Ginto, the star began acting when she was only 7 years old. To say that Andrea was fit for stardom would be an understatement — she was actually born for this. Growing up in the spotlight definitely wasn’t easy, but it trained her to develop a strong sense of self because she was determined to not let anyone dictate how she was going to act or who she was going to be. “I think knowing your worth is very important. If you know your worth, you know when to speak up and you know that you don’t always need to speak up. Syempre, as a public figure meron talagang mga tao diyan na ita-try ka talaga i-bring down. Hindi maiiwasan yon, and I believe na na sa’yo na yun if hahayaan mo sila to succeed.”
She continues to take control by making braver choices in her career and steering away from that teenybopper image. “My roles are becoming more fearless and unapologetic. Now that I’m older, mas madami na akong roles na pwede gampanan, which means I have more room for growth.” No matter what this girl sets her sights on, you already know you can expect nothing less of something great. Because when Andrea goes for it, there’s no doing it halfheartedly.
In an era where content is king —likes and followers have transformed into some sort of digital currency. Amassing over 17.1 million followers on TikTok alone, Andrea is one of the most followed Filipino celebrities on the platform. So when it comes to online influence – she’d know its highs and lows. The actress has witnessed first-hand how dangerous social media could be, especially in forming false illusions that pressure young women to look or act a certain way. She feels a sense of responsibility to be more authentic and make it a point to show people it’s okay to not always be ‘perfect’.
It’s not lost on the actress that social media can also be a positive tool. In fact, it’s the platform where she feels most comfortable in expressing herself, showing her love for dance, and connecting with her fans. The promise of Andrea Brillantes lies not in the millions of followers she’s come to have over the years, but in the way she wields her digital influence. Part of her mission is bringing awareness to causes she deeply identifies with. From body positivity, to mental health, to animal rights — Andrea is not afraid to take a stand and see it through.
Every generation has its own set of bright stars and Andrea Brillantes is well on her way to becoming her generation's biggest one yet. A walking representation of everything Gen Z women stand for, she continues to inspire young girls to own their confidence. There’s an undeniable assuredness to Andrea that you won’t be able to miss. You can tell that this is a woman who’s used to seeing her dreams turn into reality. Not by chance, though, but by hard work and fearlessness in taking control. This is her making it happen. Her freedom, her rules.