Global style icon Heart Evangelista dazzled at the recent Beautycon 2025, but behind the glam, she opened up about the grit and hustle that built her career. Now at 40, the fashion influencer says she’s reaping the rewards of years of hard work — and shifting her focus from just herself to serving others.
Evangelista, who took center stage at the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City, answered questions and offered advice to the attendees.
One of topics covered was the importance of hard work, to which she admitted that she has always been a "real hustler."
“You know, I’m a go-getter. I’m a real hustler. And I just turned 40. And I really feel like everything is just starting. Lahat ng mga nakaraan na pinagpaguran ko, it’s like harvest time, and I’m just very grateful,” she said.
“So, more work, more opportunities. No matter how tired I am, I’m gonna go for it,” she added.
Living the life of the rich and famous, Evangelista then told a story about her mother's hard work, which she learned to cherish.
“My mom and I were really, you know, we're both very hardworking. So, earlier on, mayroon akong mga naging businesses that were outside show business,” she shared.
Evangelista went on to emphasize the importance of having a career outside of showbiz, stating that if an artist is no longer beautiful, people will no longer consume.
“Because I understood na, you know, before especially, [may] mentality [na] may shelf life ‘yung ganda. ‘Pag hindi ka na maganda, hindi ka na bet ng mga tao. So, I wanted to really focus on stuff outside show business. Because ‘pag tumanda na ako, alam ko, it's not always going to be about me,” she opened up.
“So, I wanted to serve also the people, and it's not just, ‘Oh, it's me, me, me.’ Now, I'll be focused… I'll be on the Luxelle (her own brand).”
At Beautycon 2025, Evangelista also discussed the need of self-care, stating that "health is wealth."
“It’s all about self-care, your beauty, and how, you know, to really nourish your soul and your beauty. You really have to take care of your health because health is wealth. Aanhin mo naman lahat ng ‘to kung hindi kayo healthy. Hindi ‘yun mabibili talaga ng pera. So ‘yun siguro ‘yung aking number one — take care of your health,” she said.
“Iba-iba tayo ng field ng trabaho. Iba-iba rin tayo ng set of problems. Pero at the end of the day, you really have to give time to yourself,” she added.
She went on to talk about how achieving inner peace contributes to a person's glow.
“Minsan nakakairita ako. Pero hindi naman ako masama. But you know, that will truly shine. No matter how age, no matter how old you are, if you're at peace inside, you're beautiful. But then again, huwag nating kalimutan na magpakatotoo,” she vulnerably shared.
“Just be yourself. Because in the end, no matter what happens, your true self and your heart will save you. Because sincerity is priceless in this world,” she told the attendees.