Klea Pineda with girlfriend Katrice Kierulf. Image from Instagram / @katricekierulf
After coming out as gay on her 24th birthday, Klea Pineda finally introduced her girlfriend, actress-model Katrice Kierulf, who she has been in a relationship with for over a year.
In an interview with Boy Abunda on March 20, Pineda admitted that she is now in a deep relationship with a woman, after several attempts to date men, among them Kapuso hunks Jak Roberto, Jeric Gonzales and Andre Paras.
When asked if her coming out was with the approval of her girlfriend, Pineda answered in the affirmative and revealed she was in fact watching in the studio.
A visibly emotional Abunda, who described the actress’ girlfriend as “beautiful,” then invited the 28-year-old Kierulf to come and show herself to the camera before giving her a hug. “Habang naririnig mo ‘yung usapan namin ni Klea, anong nararamdaman mo,” he asked. (While hearing my conversation with Klea, how were you feeling?)
“Naiiyak ako kasi finally she made it. She’s speaking her truth already to everyone, so very heartfelt talaga ‘yung desisyon niya na ‘to. And I’m just so proud of her,” Kierulf replied.
(I feel like I want to cry because she finally made it. She’s speaking her truth already to everyone, so this is a very heartfelt decision. And I’m just so proud of her.)
Pineda, when asked if she ever considered Kierulf in her decision to be open with her sexuality, revealed that her girlfriend was “very supportive” of her decision
“Na-excite si Katrice for me. Sobrang supportive niya sa akin and in-ask ko pa siya kung okay lang sa kanya kasi once na nag-out ako, mag-a-out na rin siya sa public. Ang sagot niya sa akin, ‘Hinihintay lang naman kita.’ She’s very supportive talaga since Day 1,” she added.
(Katrice was excited for me. She’s very supportive of me, and I even asked if she’s okay with me coming out because once I’m out, she would be out in public as well. Her answer to me was, “I’m just waiting for you.” She’s been very supportive since Day 1.)
Pineda further said that she and Kierulf were introduced by a common friend. The two, who are now being dubbed “Katlea” among their close circles, are both big bike enthusiasts.
Kierulf last February posted on Instagram a picture of herself reaching for the hand of a female who was holding the camera, presumably that of Pineda, with the caption: “365 days around the sun with you.”
On dating men
Prior to introducing Kierulf, Pineda admitted to having dated Roberto, Gonzales, and Paras, but she said that none of them made her heart beat as when she would go out with girls.
She said that her attempt to date guys was due to the influence of certain individuals who suggested that she try dating straight men. She, however, did not name these individuals.
“Siyempre, nag-try po ako. Parati kong naririnig kasi na ‘try ko pa’ pero hindi talaga eh. Number one, after ‘Starstruck,’ nandyan agad si Jak Roberto. Ilang months din kaming nag-date ni Jak, and umabot sa point na dinala at pinakilala ko rin siya sa family ko,” she shared. “Second, is ‘yung naka-love team ko, si Jeric Gonzales.”
(Of course, I tried dating guys. I always hear from others to “try” but it didn’t work out. First, after “Starstruck,” I went out with Jak Roberto. We dated for months, and it even reached the point where I introduced him to my family. Then there was Jeric Gonzales, who was my onscreen partner.)
Pineda said these dating episodes did not end up to being committed relationships with these men.
Roberto is currently in a relationship with “Maria Clara at Ibarra” star Barbie Forteza, while Gonzales is rekindling his romance with his ex-girlfriend, Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo.
The actress also recalled that she also went out with Paras “many times,” although they didn’t get into the courting stage. “And then hindi siya official na nag-try [manligaw] but lumabas kami many times, si Andre Paras,” she added. (Andre Paras and I also went out for my times, but he didn’t court me.)
Despite her attempts to date these guys, the “Starstruck” alum said that she felt that something was still missing. She eventually found the happiness that she was looking for when she started opening her heart to women, she said.
“‘Yung happiness ko, sobrang kulang. Hindi naman sa sinasabi na hindi ako sumaya sa mga guys na ‘to, pero may kulang. Hindi mo ma-pinpoint kung alin,” she said. “[Whereas], nakikipag-date ako sa girls or nagkakaroon ako ng girlfriend, iba yung saya ko, iba yung nararamdaman ko.”
(I feel that there was something lacking. I’m not saying that I wasn’t happy with these guys, but there’s something missing. I can’t pinpoint what it was. Whereas, when I was going on dates with girls or if I have a girlfriend, I feel much happier. I feel different.)
Pineda, who realized that she’s gay since high school, revealed that coming out is a fearless way of showing her “true authentic self.”
The Kapuso actress started her showbiz career as a contestant on the sixth season of the talent show “StarStruck,” where she was named as the Ultimate Female Survivor. EDV