EXCLUSIVE: Barbie Forteza recounts her 'Stairway to Heaven' audition and shares how she prepares for any role
Like most actors before her, Kapuso actress Barbie Forteza feels just as giddy recalling her very first callback in the Kapuso network.
This is what she shared exclusively with GMANetwork.com, during a shoot for Barbie's ArtisTakeover last June 28th.
While sitting in the makeup chair, the 21-year-old actress remembered failing quite a few times during her auditions.
“Kahit sa commercials palagi naman akong 'di nakukuha. Meron kami laging wishful thinking ni mama na baka ito na 'yun, na baka makita na ako finally sa TV,” she recalled.
“In the first place, hindi naman namin talaga pinush ni Mama na mag-audition dun sa Stairway. Nagkataon lang na kailangan namin sumweldo para sa pinag-extra-han namin so kailangan talaga naming lumuwas.
“E, sakto may audition, so pinuntahan na rin namin.”
Her little side trip to the auditioning room proved to be a good judgment call for the then 11-year-old Barbie. Because a few weeks later, she received a call back from the staff saying that she would be auditioning in front of director Joyce Bernal.
“Nung kinol back ako sa Stairway [to Heaven], dalawa na lang daw kaming pinagpilian for the role at mismong si binibining Joyce [Bernal] ang pipili.
“So, parang naisip namin na parang first time namin ginawa ito.
“Kasi dati nako-call back kami for Dyesebel, Darna, Marimar, pero parang mas legit ito kasi mismong direktor 'yung titingin.
“May naramdaman lang kaming kakaiba nung tinawagan kami for Stairway… Na parang, baka ito na nga yun.
“And yun, nakuha nga, nakuha.”
And the rest, as they say, is history.
Stairway to Heaven was Barbie's first major gig in the network and was followed by some of GMA's most high-rating series like Pilyang Kerubin, Tween Hearts, Meant to Be, Inday Will Always Love You, and the recently wrapped Kara Mia.
Watch Barbie's impersonation on some popular Kapuso characters.
From being a cute little angel to occupying the front side of Kara Mia, Barbie has done quite a few challenging roles in the 10 years she's been in the industry.
So how does she prepare for the role given to her? “It all depends on the project,” Barbie answered.
Once she's signed on to a role she says she commits her 100 percent and fully dedicating herself to the craft.
“Sa totoo lang, mas masaya and mas nakaka-engage ang isang project kung alam mong dedicated 'yung buong team dun sa project na 'yun.
“Meron akong indie film dati, 'yung Puntod by Cesar Apolinario.
“Deaf-mute 'yung role ko dun so kinailangan kong mag-sit in sa class ng mga deaf mute para lang alam ko 'yung mga galawan nila, kung paano sila makipag-communicate sa mga tao, kung paano nila itrato 'yung mga tao, at nag-aral din ako ng sign language noon.
“Sa Tuos naman, 'yung pelikula na kasama ko si Ms. Nora Aunor, nag-aral kami ng Karay-A --- yung mas malalim na Ilonggo.
“Mahirap kasi 'pag 'di ka sanay sa sinasabi mo tapos 'yung emotions mo 'di parehas kasi 'di mo alam 'yung sinasabi mo, e.”
She further explained, “Basta 'pag may tinanggap ako I give my one hundred percent. Kaya kapag may trabaho na feeling ko hindi ako comfortable gawin, hindi ko na ginagawa at all. Kasi I'd rather give nothing to something na ayaw kong gawin kaysa sa i-half ass ko lang.”
Watch out for Barbie's full interview on GMANetwork's Kapuso Profiles.
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