The Manila Times

Andrea Brillantes takes new acting challenge

BY CHRISTINA ALPAD

THOUGH she has been in showbiz for more than a decade now, young actress Andrea Brillantes is still eager and energized to take on roles she has never done before. Enter digital series “Drag You and Me” where she plays a ‘drag queen’ for THE fiRST TIME.

“In accepting projects, I always aim to do roles that are different and challenging,” the 20-year-old said in Filipino at a media roundtable.

“I love watching RuPaul’s Drag Race and I find drag queens fascinating so I got excited when they told me I’ll be doing this series. It’s also my first time to hear of this concept in the Philippines with a young cisgender woman in the lead so it was an easy yes for me when they asked if I want to do it,” she added.

A modern family rom-com drama about drag culture that celebrates love in all of its forms, Drag You and Me revolves around the life of the fearless and fabulous Betty (Brillantes), also known by her drag name Valentine Royale.

Because of her family’s financial situation, Betty ends up joining Manila Queen Supreme, the grandest drag competition in the country. Her fellow competitors are unaware that she is a woman and not a real drag queen.

Her drag queen dreams get complicated when her friendship with Jason/Shania (JC Alcantara), a male-bisexual drag queen and her fiercest competitor, blossoms into something more. Their journey as young individuals will get even more interesting because of their drag sister and Jason’s mentor, Charlie (Christian Bables), and his indifference towards Betty.

As certified drag fan and follower of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Brillantes said she’s already aware of the difficulties of dressing in drag, which include sitting for hours on the makeup chair.

“I also grew up wearing heels and performing on stage so I kind of knew what I was getting into. But when we did my first lip sync battle for the show, I realized how different it is from just watching.”

Along the way, Brillantes learned that it takes guts to be a drag queen.

“You have to be witty to entertain people. You have to be explosive on stage but don’t do it too much or you’ll don’t end up being cringey. You have to really find that balance.”

Nevertheless, Brillantes said she would still accept the role in a heartbeat, especially after realizing the effect that drag brings.

“It’s so much fun, I feel perfect when I’m in my drag persona,” she chuckled.

“I’m always conscious of my right side of face and would prefer posing on the other side but when I’m in drag, I feel confident in every angle. My nose is small, my lips are all out and my eyes are the cutest. I feel invincible when I’m Valentine Royale.”

In ending, Brillantes and the rest of Drag You and Me cast hopes their series will shed light not just on drag community but the life of LGBTQIA+ members beyond the stage.

“The more platform we have, the more we can inform the general public of the plight of LGBTQIA+ members. Besides drag community, we also tackle coming out to your family and friends so it is my hope that through this show, we can also encourage people to be their true selves,” Brillantes ended.

Drag You and Me is directed by JP Habac and also stars Romnick Sarmenta, KaladKaren Davila, Ice Seguerra, Jon Santos, Cris Villanueva, Albie Casiño, Lance Carr, PJ Endrinal, Jeric Raval, Amy Nobleza, Noel Comia Jr., and Yves Flores, with special guests from ‘Home from the Golden Gays’ — Flor Bien Jr. and Rico Reyes.

Drag You and Me streams beginning today on the iWantTFC app (iOs and Android) and website.

Entertainment&Lifestyle

en-ph

2023-06-02T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-06-02T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://digitaledition.manilatimes.net/article/282209425239877

The Manila Times