How Anne Curtis dealt with first-day jitters in TV comeback: ‘I was so nervous’
Anne Curtis during the press conference of “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” PH adaptation. Image: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net
After an 11-year break, Anne Curtis is making her TV comeback in the local adaptation “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” as Mia Hernandez, a children’s book author diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder.
Curtis currently hosts the noontime show “It’s Showtime,” but “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” marks her return as lead star of a TV primetime show, 11 years after portraying the starry-eyed mermaid Dyesebel in the 2014 fantasy drama remake. She made brief appearances in “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” and “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” but the upcoming drama is her first time to fully be in front of the camera as an actress.
This explains why the actress-host was very nervous — even reaching the point of going through jitters — on the first day of filming.
“To be honest, it took me a while to say yes to this project. As much as I was so excited to do this project, I was so nervous. Ang tagal ko nang hindi umarte (I haven’t been acting for a long time),” Curtis admitted in the drama’s media con in Quezon City. “There was a lot of jitters — lalo na sa first day. But I was supported by amazing actors, guided by our team captain Direk Mae (Cruz Alviar).”
WATCH: ‘It’s Okay to Not Be Okay PH’ marks Anne Curtis’ teleserye comeback after more than a decade, with the actress sharing that portraying Mia Hernandez (or Go Moon-young) was a journey of healing for her. | @HMallorcaINQ pic.twitter.com/YXX317lm1A
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) June 30, 2025
Filming the drama was also a journey for Curtis to conquer her “own journey of anxiety,” knowing the original K-drama is one of her favorites.
“Grabe ang kaba ko. Even today, sa pagbati pa lang (I was so nervous. Even today, as seen in how I greeted you). But you know what, I learned from this story that it’s okay to not be okay. This is one of the reasons why I super loved it from the very beginning, and why I wanted to do it,” she said.
According to Curtis, she hoped that “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” would be a drama that reminds viewers to check in with their mental health and be supportive to loved ones who are going through the same struggles.
“It’s about time we do a series that educates about mental health and how you can carry and be with someone who’s going through mental health issues. It’s a good way to reach a wider audience. It’s not just something you see on social media,” she said.
“This will help you go through the journey with them. So, if you’re someone who’s going through it, you will be able to get help. Especially in our country, it’s not spoken of more,” she continued.
MEET THE LEAD STARS OF ‘IT’S OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY PH’ 📚
LOOK: Anne Curtis, Joshua Garcia, and Carlo Aquino — who will lead the cast of the Philippine adaptation of “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” — gather at the drama’s grand media con in Quezon City. | @HMallorcaINQ pic.twitter.com/h4w3TAebzK
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) June 30, 2025
Curtis will portray Mia Hernandez, the local counterpart of Ko Moon-young (Seo Ye-ji). She will be joined by her leading man Joshua Garcia (Patrick Gonzales) and Carlo Aquino (Matthew Gonzales).
Also cast in the drama are Enchong Dee, Xyriel Manabat, Agot Isidro, Rio Locsin, Francis Magundayao, Bobot Mortiz, and Maricel Laxa, to name a few. /edv
