Behind Her Words

When Kim Chiu entered show business 16 years ago, she had to navigate an industry brimming with mestizas and wide-eyed young stars.

Her moniker, the “chinita princess,” introduced a mold that was rarely seen on Philippine primetime television at the time—despite the country being inhabited by many chinitas.

“I think that’s my biggest influence in the beauty industry here,” Chiu tells MEGA. “I represent the chinitas.” Although she had created a space for people who looked like her, the distinctiveness didn’t come without challenges, especially for a teenager, who, she admits to this day, had several insecurities.

“I didn’t like my eyes before,” she says. “Kasi hindi din siya malagyan ng kung anu-anong eye shadow. Di ba, uso dati ’yong mga mata nina [actresses] Kristine Hermosa, Shaina Magdayao? Ako, sinasabi ko sa sarili ko, ‘Aw, maliit mata ko.’ Hindi din kaya ’yong mga usong makeup dati.” She also reveals that she was insecure about her “chubby” cheeks, recalling, “best in contour ako dati. Circle kasi ’yong face ko, small lang naman.”

As years went by, she makeup with super dark eye liner,” she says about the makeup trick that helps make the eyes appear wider. makeup