Actress Charlie Dizon speaks about the harsh realities that female celebrities face, often being judged more severely especially when it comes to controversies. She also shared she believes it’s time for audiences to rethink how they respond.
In her interview with Hot Takes, the actress reflected on the noticeable difference in how the public reacts to issues involving men and women.
“Feeling ko lang, halimbawa sa scandal nga. Parang ‘pag sa lalaki, katanggap-tanggap. Alam mo ‘yon? Parang, 'Okay, lalaki.' Parang ganun ‘yung dating. Hindi too damaging.”
She recalled delivering a similar sentiment through her role in What Lies Beneath as Beth, the mother of Chloe, sharing how deeply the idea resonated with her.
“Sinabi ko ‘to sa anak ko, kay Chloe na parang minsan kasi kapag ang babae may scandal, ang hirap na bawiin. Iba na agad ‘yung tingin sa kababaihan, masisira agad ‘yung buong mundo niya. Ganun, eh. Parang ang hirap na bumawi. Pero ‘pag lalaki, minsan pa, ikapapalakpak pa niya. Oo, minsan parang nakakadagdag pa sa pride niya.”
Still, Charlie acknowledged that pain is not exclusive to one gender.
“Nangyayari din talaga. Pero hindi rin natin alam kung anong pinagdadaanan ng mga tao, so I can't say naman na hindi na-hurt ang lalaki kapag nangyayari din ‘yun, ‘di ba? Pero totoo, mas tanggap ng society na ‘pag lalaki, okay lang na magkaroon, pero ‘pag babae, parang iba na agad ‘yung tingin.”
She also agreed that forgiveness is often harder to come by for women in controversies.
“Pag ang babae malala ‘yung controversy na kinasangkutan, parang ang hirap bawiin ng image agad ng babae...kailangan i-discern niyo maigi kung ano ba talaga 'yung totoo. Kasi nga ang dali magbintang, eh.”
At the same time, she pointed out how narratives can quickly shift depending on the situation, adding: “Minsan din sa relationship 'pag halimbawa nakita nag-break 'yung couple, sisisihin agad 'yung lalaki. "Ah, si lalaki ganyan naman talaga’... Basta celebrity, madaling pulutan ng bashing.
Beyond public reaction, she noted that controversies can shape the roles offered to women, observing that those entangled in such issues are sometimes steered toward more daring portrayals. It’s a cycle she hopes will eventually change, alongside the way audiences engage with such narratives.
When asked who she believes has faced particularly harsh criticism, Charlie did not hesitate to name a few. She recalled how Andrea Brillantes, or Blythe, had endured intense backlash in the past. She also mentioned her What Lies Beneath co-star Kaila Estrada, defending her character against online narratives.
“Pag na-meet niyo or nakilala niyo siya in person, sobrang ayos na tao, as in. So, sobrang 'yung mga nababasa ko about her, sobrang layo as in, parang unfair na unfair.”
For Charlie, one of the most important shifts must come from the public itself. She emphasized the need for empathy and restraint, especially in the age of social media.
“Sana ‘pag may nakita kayong mga online criticism about sa babae na kahit hindi niyo pa naman alam kung totoo, sana ‘yung mga babae i-lift up ‘yung kababaihan, wag nang i-down lalo.”
“Hindi ‘yung kayo pa ‘yung makiki-chismis at magbababa lalo sa kababaihan. Same goes sa lalaki din na hindi porket lalaki naman sila hindi sila nakakaramdam or wala silang feelings, ‘di ba? Sana mas maging careful lang ‘yung mga tao talaga,” she continued.
Charlie stressed that support, especially among women, should start collectively. She believes that uplifting one another is key, particularly in an environment where criticism can easily spiral.
Ultimately, she returned to a simple but meaningful appeal. “Pero ‘yun, sana mas maging fair ‘yung mga tao, mas i-discern nila nang maayos kung ano ‘yung mga opinyon nila. And kung ano ‘yung mga tingin nila sa artista. Tao lang din lahat ng artista.”
“Ang mga kababaihan naman pinaglalaban lang ‘yung same respeto na nakukuha ng kalalakihan. So sana ‘yun din ‘yung ibigay sa mga kababaihan, ‘yung fair treatment.”