In this exclusive MEGAStyle interview, Gigi De Lana gets real about the entertainment industry and what it takes to get to the top
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Becoming a breakout star is not easy. First, you’re going to have to build an online following. Second, you’ll need the talent to get signed. Third, you need the mindset to make it to the top. Gigi De Lana always knew she wanted to become a star, but pursuing her dream wasn’t always easy. She had to go through multiple auditions, singing in weddings, and even becoming a performer for Enchanted Kingdom before getting discovered. It was a long and laborious process that paid off in the end.
Surprisingly, not a lot of people know that about the rising star. Because of Gigi’s gorgeous face, striking vocals, and cheeky personality, many would think it all came easily for her. Little did they know that Gigi De Lana’s been working on her craft for more than 5 years now. To set the record straight on how Gigi became the woman she is today, we interviewed the rising star to get all the details.
MEGAStyle: Tell us the story on how you were discovered.
Gigi De Lana: Na discover po ako sa YouTube ni Ma’am Charo. Sa video na, “We’ve Only Just Begun.” Nagulat po ako na dun pa sa video na yun kasi in-upload lang namin for content para makapagsimula without even thinking about it. It’s all unexpected kasi in just weeks (naging) 1 million views na siya.”
MS: What were you doing before you were given your big break?
GDL: Nag li-live streaming kami and gumagawa kami ng mga content sa YouTube kahit mahirap. We just had to do it, kasi wala kami mapapala kung hindi kami gagalaw. Sa totoo lang itong mindset na pag tuloy tuloy ng ginagawa namin is mahirap talaga. Kasi, hindi ito nakasanayan namin.
And, it’s all because of this one person, Tritone, our Producer and Director of Gigi Vibes. Ang dami naming napagdaan bago maging ganito ang mindset namin. Ang daming binago sa attitude sa work, patience, (at pagiging) open sa mga criticisms ng bawat isa. It’s all in the process talaga. Di siya overnight lang. And then, nag viral na wala talaga kami ine-expect.
MS: Why do you think you were given your big break now and not all the other times before?
GDL: Before kasi wala ako ginagawa to improve myself, I’m just waiting for orders. And before, tamad ako to be honest. Andun yung frustrations sa sarili—anxiety and depression. Kasi nga, walang nangyayari sa career ko. Naisip ko kaya walang nangyayari kasi ako mismo wala ginagawa, so kailangan ko mag step up.
Pero, nag step up ako kasi my inspiration is my partner, Tritone. Yung growth ko as a person and as an artist gawa niya. And of course, ng mga taong nakapaligid sakin: Jon, Jake, LA, and Romeo. All of this happened because of our hard work. Hindi lang ako ang gumalaw, kundi lahat kami.
MS: How much has your life changed since you were discovered in show business?
GDL: Actually ang nagbago is nakikilala kami paunti-unti. Sa totoo lang, hindi ko naisip na nagbago yung buhay ko kung paano ako mabuhay. It’s still normal. Ganun padin. Kasi, wala naman talaga nagbago. Ang nagbago is kung paano kami gumalaw. Kung paano kami magisip sa mga things na nag ma-matter. Very thankful ako na ganito, kasi yung change na nangyari is sa mindset at hindi sa buhay ko, kasi I’m still me when it comes to living my life.
MS: When was the moment that you realized you’ve made it?
GDL: Hmmm.. Actually, we’ve made it kasi kasama ko sa growth ang Gigi Vibes, my partner, and the management. Kasi, we will never have made it kung walang hard work and pagtitiwala sa isat-isa. Kung tatanungin if I’ve made it, masasabi ko na hindi pa talaga. Kasi, madami pa ako kailangan gawin and i-improve sa lahat ng bagay.
MS: Has your fan based evolved with you as you entered each stage of your career?
GDL: Yes! Nag-evolve talaga. Lalo na nung nagtutuloy tuloy ang GIGI VIBES, livestream namin. It wasn’t easy. It was never easy kasi yung nangyari is we started from scratch. Wala kami pera at all. Mindset namin is kalat. You know what I mean? Yung utak mo di alam gagawin. Pero, we decided to do something about it. And, Tritone is yung mind namin actually pati soul. Aura niya shine-share niya sa amin. And, I treasure every second of it.
MS: Which projects are you most excited about doing in the future?
GDL: To be honest, every project na ibibigay sakin is exciting for me. Kasi, lahat yan ay bago and of course nandun ang pressure! But, I’m ready and bibigyan ko ng chance ang opportunity na dadating kasi you will never know talaga kung ano mangyayari. Or minsan, depende din sa opportunity. Every opportunity is different. You just have to choose which direction.
MS: Who would you like to co-star with you in a movie?
GDL: Alora Sasam! Kasi, she’s versatile and ka vibes ko talaga! Halos parehas kami ng utak– parang Charlie’s Angels!
MS: What’s one thing you’ve only dreamed about doing before that you’ve already accomplished now?
GDL: Madami na ako na accomplish sa music career ko. Makasama ang Gigi Vibes team ko sa mga interviews and even makagawa kami ng songs. Makasama sa commercials and mag artista. Kumanta ng theme song ng teleserye.
Pero ang di ko pa na aaccomplish, gusto (kong) magkaroon ng movie na musical na parang The Greatest Showman. Pati kumanta ng live concert sa iba’t ibang lugar or outside the Philippines kasama ang Gigi Vibes. Magkaroon rin ng maayos na studio para sa recordings and pag produce ng maayos na live.
MS: What’s your advice to anyone who wants to make it to show business?
GDL: My advice, gawin mo ang dapat mong gawin. Kumbaga wag na wag mo pipigilan sarili mo sa mga bagay na alam mo na worth it talaga. And, proper mindset. And, surround yourself sa mga taong tutulong talaga sayo para mag improve ka. That’s very important. And, trust sa sarili at alagaan mo ang passion mo.
Photography by MARJ GUTIERREZ
Creative Direction by JEB FRONDA
Art Direction by BRIE VENTURA
Styling by MIKA REYES
Makeup by CARELL GARCIA
Hair by JUSTINE OCAMPO
Fashion Film Direction and Editing by SHAYNE DE GUZMAN
Shoot Coordination by ERICA LUNA and MAE TALAID
Shot on Location at TIER ONE ENTERTAINMENT STUDIO, BELLAGIO SQUARE, QUEZON CITY
