Kris Bernal say losing her “chubby cheeks” led to her having more kontrabida roles
- Kris Bernal joked that her leaner face and loss of "chubby cheeks" might be the reason she is now being cast in villainous roles
- In a candid interview, the actress admitted she feared fading from the industry and is determined to stay active after motherhood
- Bernal is set to play the high-maintenance antagonist Althea in the upcoming GMA Prime series "House of Lies," premiering Jan. 19
- The actress looks up to veteran character stars, hoping to transition from a lead star to a versatile actress with enduring longevity
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In a heartfelt return to the spotlight, Kapuso actress Kris Bernal has opened up about the shifting landscape of her career and the physical changes she believes may have influenced her transition from a perennial "bida" (heroine) to a formidable "kontrabida" (villain).
Source: Instagram
During a recent guesting on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, the seasoned star reflected on how her evolution from a teen idol to a character actress has been a journey of both survival and self-discovery.
During the interview, Bernal candidly questioned if her physical transformation played a role in how casting directors perceive her.
"Hindi ko rin actually maintindihan, Tito Boy, paano nangyayari yun. Parang hindi ko rin ma-figure out ano ba yung reason bakit ako biglang napunta sa kontrabida," she admitted. "Ang naiisip ko lang, dahil ba yun nga yung sumobrang payat ako? Yun na lang naiisip ko eh, nagmukha na bang kontrabida yung mukha ko kasi nawala na yung mga chubby cheeks ko dyan?"
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This lighthearted yet vulnerable inquiry highlights the often-strict aesthetic standards of the industry.
For nearly two decades, Bernal was the face of the "oppressed protagonist," a role supported by her youthful, soft features.
Now, as she embraces a leaner, more mature silhouette, she is stepping into the shoes of Althea—a high-maintenance and insecure antagonist in the upcoming series House of Lies.
Beyond aesthetics, Bernal addressed the reality of declining ratings and the rise of new talents with massive social media followings.
She admitted there was a period when she feared her career had reached its peak during her famous love-team era with Aljur Abrenica.
"May time rin na — parang feel ko lang po ha — hindi na nagki-click yung mga shows ko. Parang lagi nilang sinasabi [before], rater ka sa panghapon ganyan, siguro yung mga una-una ko ng mga shows, pero noong bandang huli, hindi na rin. Parang hindi na rin nagwo-work," she shared.
"Parang feel ko tinanggap ko na lang din. Tinanggap ko na lang din na, 'ah, baka ito na yung time na nagla-lielow na rin yung career ko,' na yung peak ng career ko was with Aljur. Tapos ganito na yung nangyayari," she added.
Rather than fading away, however, Bernal used her hiatus during pregnancy and motherhood to recalibrate.
She expressed a deep desire to stay active, even pushing herself to return to work shortly after giving birth to her daughter, Hailee.
"Ayaw ko talaga mawala. Kaya nga kahit nung nabuntis ako, nanganak ako, tina-try ko pa rin maging active kung kaya," she emphasized, noting her aspiration to follow the path of veteran stars who successfully transitioned into respected character actresses.
Fans won't have to wait long to see Bernal’s "kontrabida" transformation. Premiering on January 19, 2026, House of Lies features Bernal in a fierce face-off with Beauty Gonzalez.
The afternoon drama, directed by Jerry Lopez Sineneng, also stars Mike Tan and Martin Del Rosario.
For Bernal, this role is more than just a job; it is a "restart" that allows her to explore a braver, fiercer side of her craft.
As she balances the demands of motherhood with a high-stakes TV comeback, Kris Bernal is proving that even without the "chubby cheeks," she remains a powerhouse to be reckoned with.
Kris Bernal is an esteemed Filipino performer and entrepreneur who gained prominence after winning the fourth season of StarStruck in 2006. Over nearly two decades with GMA Network, she has evolved from a popular love-team idol into a versatile character actress, leading hits like Little Nanay and Koreana. Now a devoted mother, Kris continues to reinvent her craft, recently taking on more provocative roles in the 2026 drama House of Lies.
Recently, Kris expressed confusion during recent interviews after discovering that her longtime screen partner, Aljur Abrenica, had unfollowed and unfriended her on social platforms. Despite reaching out to Aljur’s brother, Vin Abrenica, to verify his contact information, the actress initially received no reply to her multiple texts and Viber messages. The "House of Lies" star speculated that a pandemic-era YouTube prank, where she feigned a pregnancy to a very concerned Aljur, might have caused the actor’s sudden sensitivity and silence. The "AlKris" duo finally crossed paths backstage at TiktoClock this week, where Kris playfully confronted Aljur about his "snub," to which he claimed he had attempted to call her back.
Meanwhile in another interview, this time with 24 Oras, Kris reflected on her 18-year career, saying that she suffered significant burnout before taking a deliberate three-year hiatus from the industry. Upon her 2026 return, the actress emphasized that she is now implementing stricter professional boundaries to ensure her work-life balance remains healthy and sustainable. Bernal credited the birth of her daughter, Hailee, for providing the necessary perspective to realize that her self-worth and happiness exist independently of her celebrity status. Now starring in the afternoon drama House of Lies, Kris shared that she feels more "palaban" (fierce) and self-assured in her acting choices than ever before.
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