Kim Chiu talks about her fears

Kim Chiu

Even the most popular celebrities have fears and sometimes fight low self-esteem,” declared actress Kim Chiu. “I am actually afraid of failure.”

Kim is one of four hosts of “Star Hunt,” an ABS-CBN program that aims to give people a chance to pursue their dreams by giving them opportunities to join talent competitions and reality shows.

“You always see us all dressed up and looking pretty, but we also have our struggles,” said Kim. “I fear for the day that I will no longer have the audience’s support, that I will not be able to stay in this business longer than I want to.”

The actress said her fears never left her, “I just don’t give in.” Kim added: “I love my work. I get to entertain and inspire people. That’s why I am able to hold on.”

Kim, the 2005 “Pinoy Big Brother (PBB): Teen Edition” grand winner, shares hosting chores with Robi Domingo, Alex Gonzaga and Melai Cantiveros, who also took part in PBB.

“Whenever I see young auditionees, I recall the time when I was the one lining up to audition,” Kim shared with the Inquirer. “I say to myself, ‘One day, one of them will be able to fulfill his dreams and will become rich.’ These kids have already surpassed Step 1 of the fulfillment of their dreams.”

Kim recalled her own audition experience. “The queue was really long. I got home so late. I was worried because I didn’t tell my grandmother about where I really went. Things like this aren’t allowed in a conservative Chinese family, but I didn’t think about that when I decided to audition. I wanted to be on television, and it was to that audition that my dream brought me.”

Since it started airing in August, “Star Hunt” has featured interesting and heartwarming accounts of people who fall in line during auditions, patiently waiting for their turn to shine.

So far, many successful Star Dreamers (or auditionees) have become or may become a part of shows like “I Can See Your Voice,” “Tawag ng Tanghalan,” “Dance Kids,” “Pilipinas Got Talent,” “Little Big Shots,” “MMK,” “Pinoy Big Brother,” and the soon-to-be-launched dance competition, “World of Dance Philippines.”

Kim tagged along when the auditions were brought to her home province, Cebu. “There were so many kids. Some were already feeling restless and were crying, but there’s this one boy who stood out because he was so good at acting. He did a declamation piece,” the Cebuana recalled. “His mom kept crying backstage. When I spoke to them, the boy said it was his grandmother’s burial that day, but he failed to attend because of the audition. At 9, he already knew what he wanted to become—an actor.”

Kim added: “If good things happen to you because you’re at the right place and time, then it was God who led you there. There will be obstacles that you will have to hurdle before achieving success.”

“I myself know that I’m only halfway through the journey,” declared Kim. “I still have a lot to experience.”

“Star Hunt” airs Mondays to Fridays, after “Araw Gabi.”