Bela Padilla thanks fans for ‘first proper leave’ in 11 years
Image: Instagram/@bela
Bela Padilla may count showbiz royalty as family, but it doesn’t mean she had it entirely easy to make it in the industry.
The “Meet Me in St. Gallen” star vacationed in Europe, her first well-earned break in the 11 years she’s been in show biz. The actress and screenwriter, who turned 27 last May 3, treated herself to a trip to Paris and Zurich for her birthday.
Padilla posted a picture of her posing over the River Seine on Instagram and shared a reflection on her career.
“I started working at 16, a few weeks shy of my 17th birthday. I was scared but hopeful,” she related.
She noted how there were those who doubted her: “Just another fair-skinned girl, not striking in any way, as some of you say. Not much of anything but I was born into this world, so I deserved a fighting chance. I didn’t know if I could act or not, but I wanted to learn.”
“11 years after, I’ve finally mustered up ge,” she said. “11 years of crying for new personas but being able to live comfortably.”
Padilla said amid her good fortune, she doesn’t ask for luxuries: “Because yes, I don’t need much and I am much simpler than my peers. And yes, I don’t dream of too much money, but I do want to be able to buy a vintage hat that somebody else wore in her early twenties, decades ago. And to be able to eat cheese and warm bread when I’m hungry.”
She credited fans and loved ones for her success and for finally having some room to breathe. “I am grateful for my work, and I am grateful for you. You, who lines up for my movies and cries when I cry on television. Because of you I took this trip happily.”
For the past weeks, Padilla enjoyed iconic sights such as the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower and relaxed in picturesque spots in Zurich. Hopefully her getaway gives her the peace of mind for the next milestone in her life. /ra
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