Eduard Bañez | Image: Instagram/@eduardbanez14
Former Nickelodeon artist Eduard Bañez recently opened up about his life abroad after he made the transition from Philippine showbiz to building new dreams in Los Angeles, as well as the challenges he faced in the midst of rising anti-Asian hate.
Bañez gained a household name in the Philippines as part of Star Magic Batch 15, alongside Megan Young, Jessy Mendiola, and Bela Padilla in 2006. He later became more popular after appearing on MTV Asia.
In 2015, he made the bold move to leave his career in Manila to join his family in the United States, seeking a fresh start and better career opportunities.
In a recent virtual interview with INQUIRER.net, Bañez acknowledged both the ups and downs of pursuing a career in Hollywood amid the growing racism towards Asians or people of color.
“I am looking for a brighter future here. Living and working overseas was a life-changing experience. It helped me grow in ways I never imagined, both personally and professionally,” he said.
“But it’s very scary here in the US. Asian hate crimes are everywhere. You can really see the difference in the way they treat or mock us. It’s very sad. But I’m trying to be tough,” he continued.
Having the chance to work with artists such as Justin Bieber, Ed Sheeran, and Sia, among others, Bañez emphasized that he’s motivated to work harder given the work ethic he’s surrounded by.
“One of the highlights of my career was being part of an international production. When you see the professionalism and dedication that most Hollywood stars put into their work, you become inspired to deliver the same thing,” he stated.
Bañez shared that he’s not closing his doors in acting or going back to Philippine showbiz, as he said that his dream project is to collaborate with actors Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya or work with local artists such as SB19 and BINI.
Meanwhile, aside from his work in the entertainment scene, Bañez also recently ventured into creating a dating application.