Living life in the spotlight is like walking a tightrope. You’re expected to tease just enough, but never too much. You have to give your all to every role you play—fully immersing yourself in the character, yet still staying grounded in who you are behind the scenes. It’s a constant dance on the thin line between public expectation and personal authenticity.
So, how do you navigate that space between who the world sees and who you truly are? How do you show that you’re more than just the roles you portray—the memorized lines, the labels, and the persona crafted for the screen?
In this exclusive feature, multihyphenate artist Tony Labrusca gets real and raw. The actor-model-singer shares a stripped-down version of himself: still youthful at heart, navigating adulthood, chasing dreams, and discovering all the layers of who he is as a performer and a person, trying to stay authentic in a world built on perception.
‘People Want to See the Raw Version of You’
Ever since that unforgettable viral fast-food commercial, Tony Labrusca has been such a head-turner. From his jawline to his charisma, from his athletic build to the emotional depth he brings to roles, he quickly made an indelible mark among his fans and many audiences in the entertainment industry. Whether it was La Luna Sangre, the steamy Glorious, or the heartfelt Hello Stranger, he’s known for roles that literally leave an impact.
But beyond the screen and the ‘bad boy’ image that fans have come to associate him with, Tony reveals a very different side.
“I think a lot of people will realize that, contrary to what my image looks like, I’m actually very loving and caring towards my friends and family. I like to keep those childlike qualities because life is happening around us, so we have to mature. We have responsibilities.”
For Tony, keeping that childlike energy is not being immature. It’s more imagination, play, and wonder. It’s about seeing life through the lens of adventure, like you’re the lead character in your own feel-good movie. “I try to romanticize every aspect of life,” he shares. For him, magic exists in the everyday moments.
“I just want to always see all the things that life has to offer. To fully be able to enjoy it and just appreciate the magic. For me, that’s what keeps me really youthful. There are so many possibilities in life, seriously.”
Even though he’s made a name with intense, brooding roles and sexy, mature characters, Tony is actually a big fan of rom-coms and sci-fi. He lights up when he talks about feel-good, quirky films like Upgraded. “Sometimes, you just got to give people what they want.”
Though he enjoys playing with the ‘bad boy’ stereotype onscreen, Tony welcomes how people perceive him, but he’s also aware that there’s more to his identity than what’s seen on screen. With the rise of social media, there’s growing pressure to show not just the polished, PR-safe version of yourself, but the messy, funny, weird, real-life side too. And that’s not always easy.
“I kind of like and I welcome how people perceive me,” he says. But with social media right now, people want to see the raw version of showbiz personalities like him. That includes the awkward quirks, the humor, the everyday grind—things rarely captured in scripted roles. But walking that line between authenticity and likeability can be tricky.
“People always say to be yourself. But then sometimes, when you are, when you do yourself, people have a problem with that.”
It’s a dilemma artists constantly face. Should you be unapologetically yourself even if not everyone gets it? Or be a more palatable version that fits public expectations? “I wonder if you should just be yourself, even if people don’t appreciate you, or be a version of yourself that’s still you but will be appreciated by the public,” he reflects.
Even with his leading man looks and impressive résumé, Tony admits he struggles with insecurities just like anyone else. “I’m trying to find that balance. I want to get past my insecurities,” he says. One of those insecurities? Showing his funny side online.
“I don’t know if people will even appreciate my sense of humor,” he says candidly. “I think just getting over your insecurities and how you view yourself sometimes is what’s hard. Even on social media, it’s very curated—even when we’re trying to be our authentic selves. We’re still giving people the most pleasing version.”
‘There’s No Such Thing as Small Roles, Only Small Actors’
Underneath the surface, Tony’s career hasn’t been all glitz and glamour. It’s also been full of lessons, challenges, and major character growth. Through it all, he holds a strong belief that everything happens for a reason. “Every struggle, every hardship, is like God will always turn something bad into something good.”
What keeps him grounded is the constant drive to become someone he can be proud of. “I really want to be somebody that I’m proud of,” he shares.
“To look at myself in the mirror and know that I’m truly trying to be the best version of a good guy.”
The actor is also a firm believer in humility and how it’s essential for real growth. “I’m just grateful for all the hardships. I’m thankful that I’m really taking the time to keep growing. I think that’s another beautiful part of life, that it just keeps changing and we keep evolving. Every day is another day for you to be better, [to] try something new.”
He adds that being grounded in faith also gives him peace amidst the chaos of the industry. “Just surrender and be humble enough to realize that you can’t do it on your own.” And even with his love-hate relationship with acting, his dedication to the craft is undeniable.
“I super appreciate this craft, but at the same time, sometimes, I really struggle.” This is because he does not just play characters. He dives into them. “Sometimes, I even fall in love with the character.”
It’s about empathy. Even when portraying a villain, Tony makes it a point to understand their motivations. “Because there’s no such thing as small roles. It’s just small actors. And I think just having a lot of empathy for the character—even the villain role—and finding their driving force… it’s not a shallow thing. There’s so much passion there.”
‘All Your Dreams Are Going to Come True’
From commercial star to model, singer, and actor, Tony Labrusca has proven that you don’t need to be boxed in by one identity. He’s versatile. He’s growing. And most of all, he’s deeply reflective about the kind of person—and artist—he wants to become. If he could speak to his younger self, his message would be simple but powerful:
“Be humble and step back when you’re angry. All your dreams are going to come true. Just keep doing what you’re doing. Believe in yourself.”
Looking ahead, Tony is excited for the future. He’s played intense roles—from thrillers to psychological dramas—but what he’s craving now is something a little lighter. “I’ve been given crazy roles where it’s like a psycho thriller, or I’m gonna get killed, or I’m already dead, or I’m gonna kill someone. It’s crazy fighting,” he laughs. “I’m so grateful for these roles, but I really would love to explore rom-coms and more of that.”
Why? Because there’s power in laughter, in lightness, in showing the joy of life, not just the grit. Tony wants to show that side of himself, too. A side that people don’t always get to see.
Because sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is show up as yourself and not just the intense heartthrob we see on screen—insecurities, quirks, awkwardness, humor, and all.
And that, more than anything, is the kind of raw we all want to see.
Creative Direction & Photographed by Em Baun
Assisted by: Stephen Singson
Shot on location: The Villa Studios
Hair & Makeup: Jia Enciso Catu
Stylist: CHEN
Shoot assisted by: Nami Padilla, Kassandra Baria
Overall Coordination: Niccole Mendoza | Angel Altura | Mary Jane Manglicmot
