ICYDK: Andrea Brillantes Had The Most Empowering Take On Wearing Revealing Clothes

Despite the hate and endless online bashings that come with embracing more mature roles—and confidently owning revealing fashion choices—Cosmopolitan Philippines November 2025 cover girl Andrea Brillantes remains unapologetically confident and grounded in her values.

When asked by journalist Karen Davila about the backlash she receives, the actress didn't hold back—calling out the exhausting double standards women constantly face, especially in the entertainment industry where confidence in one's femininity is too often mistaken for controversy.

"I don't think people ask the same questions to men. Kapag may nagpapa-sexy naman sa mall show para magpakilig, people don't go and say na, 'Ba't niya [men] ito ginagawa? Nalalaos ba siya?," Andrea started. 

The actress went on to explain how society tends to praise men for the very same things women are criticized for. "Pero kapag babae gusto lang maging sexy, ang dami nilang sinasabi."

Andrea has been part of the entertainment industry since childhood, first gaining recognition as a child actress and becoming widely known for her role in Annaliza. 

However, the actress made it clear that embracing a more mature image was never about pleasing people or breaking away from her past image as a child star. Instead, it was simply about expressing herself and doing what makes her feel confident and happy without seeking public approval.

"Ako wala po akong tinry i-prove or hindi ko siya ginagawa para basagin yung image na Annaliza. I just did it simply because I can and I want to," she addressed.

For those still figuring out how to own their confidence and navigate pressure around body image, especially when the world seems determined to tell them who or what to be, Andrea shared a lesson she picked up in her teens that still sticks with her today.

"Meron din po ako na panood na advice from a woman na nasa 60s-70s. Tinanong siya anong advice mo sa mga babae sa early 20s nila. At ang sabi niya, mag-bikini ka nang mag-bikini. Mag-pose ka ng mag-pose," Andrea shared. 

"Kasi you're only gonna get that body once. Kasi lalo na pag babae ka. Your body is always changing because it will go through a lot of stuff, lalo na there's menopause, there's pregnancy," she added. 

Since then, Andrea has leaned into showing up as herself—unfiltered, unbothered, and unapologetic—whether that means experimenting with fashion, stepping into bolder roles, or even serving main-character energy as a calendar girl for Tanduay last year.

But beyond the experience, it's really about something deeper: the freedom of knowing you can't please everyone—and choosing yourself anyway.

"I am sure naman na meron mga hindi ako bet...Pero I think hindi ako natatamaan kapag hindi ako bet. Kasi I'm happy na I'm not for everyone. I'm okay with that na I'm not for everyone," Andrea expressed. 

"And I feel like if I wanted to be that type of person na for everyone ako, I think I would lose my mind. If may pressure ako to please everyone, hindi naman ako ganun kasi. So grateful lang ako sa mga tumatanggap sa akin," she explained.