‘Single’ Barbie Forteza enjoying ‘self-discovery era’ with new projects

Barbie Forteza. Image: Instagram/@barbaraforteza

More than a month after Barbie Forteza confirmed that she was single, she excitedly declared that she has entered her “self-discovery and self-love era.”

Forteza spoke about enjoying this self-discovery era during a perfume launch in Quezon City, sharing that she’s looking forward to traveling to different places and exploring more coffee shops.

“Hindi naman solo totally (I am not totally going solo), but more of a self-discovery era, self-love. We’re all about exploring the world. I would love to travel more this year. I’m also in my cafe era,” she said.

The actress also hinted that she has a new project in the works that will center on fashion and women empowerment. She, however, kept her lips sealed on the details of its format and overall theme.

“We’re gonna talk about fashion, women empowerment, sophistication, lahat talaga nan’dun. It’s going to be a different Barbie — a more fashionable, sophisticated Barbie. And I’m very excited because ‘Pulang Araw’ was very successful and I’m very thankful. But for this year, lalaban tayo. A-outfit tayo,” she said.

(We are going to talk about fashion, women empowerment, and sophistication. Everything will be there. It is going to be a different Barbie — a more fashionable, sophisticated Barbie. And I’m very excited because “Pulang Araw” was very successful and I’m very thankful. But this year, we’ll forge ahead. I’ll show off my fashion sense.)

She is also looking forward to the rest of her “productive year” with a new film and a new primetime show sometime in March.

“Thankful ako kasi (I’m thankful because) I started 2025 nang productive. I’m currently working on a film [and] I am also about to start a new primetime TV show in March,” she said.

Barbie Forteza during the “BW Women: Whimsy Collection” launch in Quezon City. Image: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

At some point during the launch, Forteza shared that she’s “meticulous” when it comes to taking care of herself, noting her affinity for scents and how they hold different meanings to her.

“I’m a very ‘scentimental’ person. Scent plays a big role in that. Marami akong kaibigan and parents, and meron silang scent na alam kong sila ‘yun,” she said. “Kapag may iba akong napupuntahan and when I [get a whiff of a] certain scent, naaalala ko sina Mama and Daddy.”

(I am a very ‘scentimental’ person. Scent plays a big role in that. I associate certain scents with my friends and parents, and I know that it’s them. When I visit certain places and I get a whiff of something, I would sometimes remember Mama and Daddy.)

Forteza announced her split with Kapuso actor Jak Roberto in January after seven years. Neither of them revealed the cause of their breakup.

The actress is set to join forces with Eugene Domingo in an upcoming project called “Kontrabida Academy.” Details about its plot and co-stars are yet to be revealed as of this writing.