Xyriel Manabat deserves all the hype.
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Watching a child star grow up right before our eyes can be a surreal experience. One day, they’re playing kids on TV, and the next, they’re eating up mature roles, Case and point, Xyriel Manabat, who is now 18 years old and all grown up, is currently killing it on Dirty Linen as Antonette Pavia. Believe it or not, the show serves as her comeback project after she paused acting for a few years.
Needless to say, we’re thankful that the Gen Z star is taking acting seriously again because she’s been going in. Whether as a child actress or in this new acting era of hers, there’s a reason why Xyriel Manabat is getting all the hype. And we list a few of those down below.
SHE’S CONFIDENT ABOUT HER BODY
While most people may remember Xyriel as the cute little girl we see in movies and teleseryes, she’s now 18 and living her life as a young adult. And part of this growing up is Xyriel’s unapologetic acceptance of her looks. If you scroll through her Instagram, you can see that she’s not afraid to show some skin or her body piercings and embrace her curves.
But even if others may try to criticize her for the way she looks, those comments don’t get her down. She’s not afraid to clapback at them. In an interview on Magandang Buhay, Xyriel shared how her photos aren’t excuse for people to bash her. “Pinapaliwanag ko naman po na, if mababastos po ako, hindi naman po yun dahil sa suot ko. Hindi naman po ako nag-e-express ng sarili ko to call attention.”
SHE’S ALL FOR BODY POSITIVITY
It warms the heart to see Xyriel embrace the changes to her body. And as much as she accepts how she looks, she also implores others to see their worth and love what they have. In an interview, she talked about the need of changing mindsets when it comes to freely expressing oneself saying, “Imbes po na magalit lang ako, ico-correct ko sila para alam din nila paano i-handle yung tamang mindset about doon. At least po, natututo kami sa isa’t isa.”
And in a chat with ABS-CBN, the actress gave some wise words on how people can learn to love themselves. While acknowledging that self-doubt is natural in the journey of self-love, the key is to recognize your uniqueness. “Kailangan niyo talaga i-embrace yung sarili niyo. Look at your flaws as your strength, tapos huwag niyo pong isipin na need mong i-compare yung sarili mo sa iba, kasi ‘yun talaga yung dudurog sa confidence niyo.”
SHE’S BEEN KILLING SINCE SHE WAS A KID
While Xyriel Manabat may only be 18, her resume reads like a seasoned pro. Since she was a kid, Xyriel has been killing the game in high profile teleseryes and shows like Agua Bendita, 100 Days to Heaven, Ang Tanging Ina Mo: Last Na ‘To!, Sisterakas, and a young Ivy Aguas in Wildflower. It-child star behavior if you ask us. And now that she’s back to acting again in Dirty Linen, it’s clear that Xyriel has not lost her touch.
SHE PAUSED HER CAREER TO FINISH SCHOOL
With the career that Xyriel has, it could have been easy for her to just continue in showbiz and get that coin. But her mind and heart pointed her in other directions. So, in the late 2010s, Xyriel decided to step away from her acting career and public spotlight so that she could go to high school. For a time, it seemed as if Xyriel was no longer going to return to acting as she enjoyed the lack of responsibilities of work.
However, the acting bug’s bite proved too powerful to overcome as Xyriel felt that she still had more to give in her career. So, after graduating from Golden Faith Academy in Taytay, Rizal in 2020 (with high honors), Xyriel slowly made her way back to showbiz with Dirty Linen being her first acting project in six years.
SHE HAS THE AWARDS TO BACK UP THE HYPE
Her role in Dirty Linen is the latest proof that Xyriel Manabat has the talent for acting. And her awards closet is the physical manifestation of that talent. Over the years, the young actress has bagged multiple awards, including two FAMAS Awards and two MMFF awards. Two-time FAMAS winner at just 18? We know that’s right. Xyriel is showing the girls how it’s done.
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