Kapuso star Max Collins did not escape the discriminations that almost every artist experienced during the start of their respective careers.
During the actress’s virtual press conference after signing her contract renewal with GMA Network, July 9, Collins recalled how she reached a point where she was about to quit her acting career.
“Hirap na hirap ako no’ng bata ako. For one, I couldn’t dance, I couldn’t speak Tagalog, I couldn’t act. I was just a pretty face kumbaga.
“I was also chubby. Lahat yan pinagdaanan ko, braces, everything. People telling me na never akong magiging bida kasi pang-kontrabida lang ako. I should just be a model,” recalled the actress.
“So much judgment came my way. And there were many times that I wanted to quit.”
Prior to her spending ten years with GMA Network, Collins spent four years doing minor roles for ABS-CBN. At the age of 13, she was launched as a Star Magic Batch 15 member. Even before becoming Max Collins, she used to go by the stage name Isabelle Abiera.
In 2010, after her contract with Star Magic ended, she took a break from the entertainment industry. Upon returning, she signed an exclusive contract with GMA Network and changed her alias to Max Collins.
Now over ten years in the industry, Collins has done various projects with the Kapuso Network. Through the help of the network, she was able to build her confidence and improve her acting skills.
“I’m just thankful that since GMA kept giving me projects, tuloy-tuloy. I was able to build my confidence and learn from my experiences as an actress.”
Collins also had her fair share of being brushed off by other artists. She even responded, “Ah yes! Madaming ganyan!” after being asked if she experienced such kind of treatment.
The movie and TV actress also shared how she started—as an extra. So she knew what the struggles of being a filler for a scene are.
“Maging extra. Actually nag-start ako as an extra. Alam ko ang feeling na ‘yan.”
When she signed her contract renewal with GMA Network, those memories came flooding in. Collins realized how far she has come, thanks to the Kapuso Network.
“Kaya iba talaga yung pakiramdam ko kanina signing the contract. Kasi do’n ko naalala yung mga pinagdaanan ko and how far I’ve come to be where I am right now,” she added.
After signing her contract renewal, the actress will be returning to locked-in taping for her upcoming teleserye To Have and To Hold with Rocco Nacino.
