Image: Regal Entertainment, Inc. and GMA Network
It goes without saying that the fashion and commercial modeling industry is interconnected usually with the showbiz industry. We find actors in commercials and we find models in movies as well. Such is the case with fashion model Rere Madrid and commercial model Blue Cailles with whom I concluded an exclusive interview a few days ago for their upcoming lead roles in the newest episode of “Regal Studio Presents” entitled “The Applicants” that will be shown today, 4:35 p.m. at GMA Network. Rere Madrid and Blue Cailles are still on their journey into showbiz, learning the ropes, getting used to dealing with different people, and improving their craft. Basically, they are still developing, growing and discovering their hidden potential as actors.
So, let’s get to know them a little more in my Q&A with them below.
You both still do modeling on the side. What have you learned from the fashion industry that you are able to apply as actors in showbiz?
Rere Madrid: The fashion industry is not that far from the showbiz industry. Modeling and acting are similar. I realized that it is important that you know how to get along with all kinds of people. You must know how to approach certain people regardless of who they are and be comfortable introducing yourself to them. For instance, I would say: “Hello, I am Rere Madrid.” Also, I want to be able to continue my good and positive interactions with my fans and that is something that I really want to take care of. You have to be kind to everyone.
Blue Cailles: I got my start in commercials. In commercials, you have to be perfect at what you are doing. So, you can’t have any flaws. Whatever the agency wants you to do, it must be done. Maybe, for now, I experience some difficulties in showbiz because there is stuff in showbiz not present in commercial modeling. However, there are still things that I have learned there that I can apply in showbiz. I always remember the advice that has been given to me regarding my acting.
Based on your own experiences on the set, behind the scenes and in tapings, what has been the most fun for you about being an actor?
Rere Madrid: For me, when you love your craft, everything becomes easy behind the scenes, on cam. Sometimes you get scolded by the director. All of that is fun for me. As long as you truly love what you are doing. Nothing will be hard to do and nothing will not be fun. It does not become tiring. You will experience all of them. Maybe, it is there that you will realize more of what you can do to make things better in a scene. So, right there is the fun. For me, what truly makes me happy is when you see yourself on the screen and big screen! That is when I can tell myself, “Wow! My acting there is great!” “Oh, my! I looked beautiful there!”… When you love what you do, it becomes almost like a game on the set, so it becomes fun. Until this day, I still take acting lessons so that I can further improve on my craft. I want to learn as much as I can while I am still in this industry.
Blue Cailles: It is fun for me because I am still learning a lot of things in showbiz. I do not know yet a lot of things in showbiz. But this industry gives you the necessary tools and knowledge to equip you so you know what to do. The learning process is the fun part, too. Also, I learned that you must have a positive working relationship with people in showbiz.
What are the surprising discoveries you have made about showbiz that prove contrary now to your own preconceived ideas or expectations of the industry? Can you tell me some of those?
Rere Madrid: Honestly, when I was 12 years old, my older [brother] Ruru Madrid entered showbiz. That was the time when I had so many expectations of what it must be like to be in the showbiz industry. So at the time, I remember thinking: “When I become an actor, I will become rich fast!” “I will become famous right away!” “I will enjoy so many advantages in real life!” I had thoughts like that entering my head. Because here in this country, artists are looked up to by the public. But now that I myself have joined the showbiz industry, I have come to realize that it is not that way at all. It is literally like going through the eye a needle. It is not at all easy. You have to make a name for yourself. In my case, it has happened many times that I get compared to my brother, Ruru Madrid. And, for me, it is fine! After all, he is my older brother. In the end, the credit goes to me as well. Competition does not exist between us. Each time I get compared to my older brother, I am very happy. That’s why I prefer using the name “Rere Madrid” over my previous artist name which was Athena Madrid. It is because it is fine for me to be compared to him. And as I said, I had thought that life will be easier once I entered showbiz. On the contrary, it is not true. So, up to now, I still do workshops because I want to improve my craft. And for as long as I am in this industry, I will choose to continue to keep learning and to improve myself to the best of my [abilities].
Blue Cailles: I always had thought that showbiz is so easy only for me to discover now that show business is so difficult. I have had to make so many adjustments in my personal life. Before, all I focused on was basketball, home, school, homework. Now that I am in showbiz, I often get nervous because unlike in commercial modeling where there are no lines to say, now I have to memorize long lines. I realize I have to grow and learn each day so I can improve more and more in my craft.
What do you do to improve your craft in acting?
Rere Madrid: As I had said earlier, I always want to learn even more even if I feel I did okay in one aspect. I never want to feel satisfied with myself. I always want to improve and be better. So, I watch all kinds of movies. Even during tapings, when there are highly acclaimed actors, I approach them and ask for their opinion or advice as to how best I can attack a scene, for instance. I am very open to ideas when it comes to acting. That is why I do workshops too.
Blue Cailles: I do workshops every day to improve my acting skills. I also watch a lot of movies. My idol is Johnny Depp. I watch very closely the different roles he plays in his movies and I try to apply what I learn from him watching his movies. I internalize what I see Johnny Depp doing in his movies in order to prepare myself for future roles. To become a better person, a better actor, you must learn as much as you possibly can.
Can you share with us funny or unforgettable moments while taping “The Applicants”?
Rere Madrid: All the scenes we had were quite unforgettable for me. All the scenes were comedic so we were joking around most of the time. But once the director said: “One, two, three, action!” we were on game face. It was so much fun working with DJ Jhaiho and Blue Cailles. I hope we three can work together again.
Blue Cailles: Rere and I had a scene with DJ Jhaiho and we could not focus because DJ JhaiHo was making us laugh with his silly antics. What JhaiHo is in real life is what he adapted on screen. So, he’s really funny.
RELATED STORIES:
Angel Locsin asks 95-year-old dad: ‘Sino sa mga ex ko ang pinakaayaw mo?’