Alden Richards navigates modern fan culture with gratitude
Alden Richards is aware of how much fandom culture has evolved since entering the entertainment industry, noting that everyone has the platform to be opinionated. Yet he would rather choose silence when it comes to dealing with negativity.
“We’re given types of platforms to be opinionated. Everyone is a certified critic. With all of the negative ones, I tend to really have a closed ear about it. Mas inaalam ko lang where they’re coming from. [Do they] come from pure and good intentions? Are their [opinions] factual?” Richards told Inquirer Entertainment in an interview ahead of his upcoming fan meeting on December 13.
Since Richards has been in showbiz for 15 years, he learned the importance of not paying attention to negativity, and dedicating his time to other things instead.
“Kung hindi dapat bigyan ng space to pay attention to it, that’s where I get over those situations because I’ve been here for quite some time. I’ve experienced a lot. Walang ginawang maganda to retaliate and talk back (Nothing good happens when you retaliate and talk back),” he said.
The actor — who chuckled when he was noted for his “kind” way of dealing with negativity — said he realized that silence is the best way to take back his power and own his story.
“At the end of the day, whether the comments are good or bad, it’s a matter of how you respond to it. And the best way to respond — especially with the negative comments we get as celebrities — is to stay mum about it,” he continued. “At the end of the day, you know yourself. You know what you’re doing. There’s a bigger picture despite all this hate.”
Richards also explained that he witnessed some of his colleagues answering back at critics through the years. And while he understands where they come from, he doesn’t want to fuel the fire.
“Nakikita ko kasi ‘yung iba na kasama ko sa industriya na siguro, hindi makapagpigil or they tend to really talk back and answer those people who give a statement. Ako kasi, ayokong i-fuel ang fire,” he said.
“These people that say hurtful things about you or current issues, wala naman silang mukha. The celebrities who are very much public — especially with all of the things we do, say, or post — are always put in the spotlight. Kaya [it’s not for me] to dignify the comments and the person behind that because wala namang mawawala,” he continued.
(I witnessed colleagues who probably couldn’t control themselves from talking back or answering them to give a statement. I don’t want to fuel the fire. These people who say hurtful things about you or current issues, they don’t have any faces. The celebrities who are very much public — especially with all of the things we do, say, or post — are always put in the spotlight. It’s not me to dignify the comments and the person behind that because I have nothing to lose anyway.)
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As the topic shifted to his upcoming fan meet, Richards explained that his experience as a concert producer allowed him to be exposed to different kinds of shows and what the audiences want.
“You should always think about your supporters. Coming from [my experience], it’s about being with all of them in the past 15 years. I get to learn about their stories and so I want them to be highlighted in the fan meet. Gusto kong makita nila ang effect nila sa’kin and sa aking journey (I want them to see their effect on me and my journey),” he said.
Richards will hold his “ARXV: Moving ForwARd: Ultimate Fanmeet Experience” show on Dec. 13 at the Santa Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in his hometown in Laguna. /edv
