AZ Martinez, hindi planong maging beauty queen noon at ibinunyag kung bakit niya ito sinubukan

• AZ Martinez revealed that becoming a beauty queen was never part of her original plans
• The actress said she initially joined a pageant out of boredom during the pandemic
• AZ considered withdrawing after discovering the expenses involved in styling and makeup
• She continued competing after learning that backing out would cost her PHP 50,000, and the pageant became where she met Shuvee Etrata

AZ Martinez revealed that joining beauty pageants was never part of her original plans, explaining that she initially entered the competition out of boredom during the pandemic while her real ambition was to become an actress.

The actress shared the unexpected story during her October 13 appearance on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, where she appeared alongside fellow Sparkle artist Shuvee Etrata. AZ clarified that she had wanted to pursue acting even before becoming involved in pageants.

“Ako, Tito Boy, when I finished my first pageant, in-invite ako to watch Miss Universe Philippines, 'yung time ni MMD, when she was joining. And then I met a few people there and I've been wanting to be a part--I wanted to do acting,” AZ explained.

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She emphasized that acting had always been her preferred career path rather than using beauty pageants as a way to enter show business.

“I've been telling them na gusto ko talagang mag-acting compared to pageant.”

AZ explained that her first decision to compete came during the pandemic, when she had little to do and received an invitation to join a pageant. At the time, she was already working as a model in Cebu, and her mother supported her decision to try the experience.

“The time I decided to join a pageant, it was pandemic tapos walang magawa, so it was just out of boredom. Na-bore lang ako tapos in-invite lang ako,” AZ said.

However, her enthusiasm reportedly changed when she realized how much money she would need to spend on preparations. The costs of styling and makeup made her reconsider whether participating was worth the expense, especially since she had joined simply to try something new.

“Actually, Tito Boy, 'yung pageant na sinalihan namin, I wanted to back out kasi napansin ko na ang dami palang gastos—the styling, makeup—parang ayoko naman gumastos for something out of boredom na ganu'n.”

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Despite her doubts, AZ ultimately decided to continue competing after discovering that withdrawing would require her to pay a PHP 50,000 fee. What began as an unplanned activity during the pandemic consequently became an experience that connected her with people who would later become part of her journey in show business.

AZ also revealed that the same competition was where she met Shuvee, and the two eventually became friends before moving to Manila together.

Shuvee recalled that they arrived in the capital during the same year and participated in a workshop together before joining Sparkle.

“Actually, same year po kami pumunta dito. We did the workshop together, sabay kami ng pagpasok sa Sparkle.”

Their shared experience highlights how an unexpected decision can lead to opportunities and lasting friendships, even when it begins far from someone's original career ambitions.

Azriel Atira Martinez Coloma, professionally known as AZ Martinez, is a Filipino actress, beauty queen, and model signed under GMA Network's Sparkle talent agency. Before gaining wider fame as a housemate on Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition, she represented the Philippines internationally, winning titles such as Miss Summit International 2023.

In another report, Shuvee Etrata and AZ Martinez spoke out against stereotypes associated with their Bisaya identity and expressed pride in their regional roots. Shuvee recalled being linked to domestic helper roles because of assumptions about provincial women, while AZ shared her frustration over comments criticizing her Tagalog accent because of her Cebuano background. Both actresses emphasized the talent, courage, and authenticity of Cebuanos while standing firm in their identity.

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Meanwhile, Ralph de Leon clarified the story behind rumors about his relationship with AZ Martinez. He initially claimed that he had courted AZ and been rejected, but later explained that his “Deep Truth” statement was only a joke. Ralph described AZ as a “very special friend” and stressed that she had not actually turned him down.

Source: KAMI.com.gh