Another Laurel joins showbiz

MANILA, Philippines - To her family, she will always be the little girl who can do wacky eyes; the one who used to sit by the window and sing out into the streets.

But to the rest of the world, 20-year-old Mariella Laurel will soon be known as performer worthy of her famous last name.

The daughter of singers and actors Franco and Ayen Laurel, Mariella has made it her goal to realize her dream of doing that she loves from as far back as she can remember. Her elementary days were spent studying and performing in dance recitals (ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, etc.) and singing in various events, while her high school calendar was peppered with numerous auditions for various productions.

“My parents have heard me speak of going into acting for years now. I was always interested and we were just waiting for the right time,” Mariella said.

The aspiring singer-actress has been performing with the De La Salle Innersoul and living the life of a student artist in campus. But once she finishes school and steps out into a bigger platform, then, world, watch out.

“I would like to work with the biggest networks in the country in TV shows and concerts and with the top theater companies for professional musicals. Some day, I want to perform internationally,” she said.

This early, Mariella is aware that some people assume she is following in the footsteps of her parents perhaps because doors are seemingly ready to be opened for her. But anyone who really knows Mariella would say that she is expressive, determined, outgoing and passionate about the things she loves — definitely, the profile of someone who wants to make things happen on her own.

“I know people who think that I’m getting into this with all the breaks being given to me on a silver platter. But the truth is, while you do get the perks of being the child of someone famous, in the end it is really you who people look at. It is what you can offer in the world of entertainment. It is your impact and not your parents.”

Then again, the doubting Thomases need only look at Mariella’s past performances to realize that she has what it takes to shine on her own. Among these were stints in ASAP and Moms; her numbers in One for the Soul, One and Lives; and her role in the music video of With You.

In high school, Mariella was in the annual Major musical productions, playing the roles of Marty in Grease, Robin in Godspell, Catherine in Pippin and Luisa in Fantasticks. She also trained and performed with Brent International School’s choir and theater group.

“I have already learned a number of things in and out of school, and it is the age of learning and further growing,” she said.

The arts run in the blood. According to Mariella, her brother is an athlete (football and track and field) and musician while her sister is also into singing, acting, dancing and she even loves the arts and crafts.

Sounds like the Pinoy version of the Von Trapp family, doesn’t it?

“Our parents have influenced us a lot because we saw what it was like to be an artist growing up. We enjoyed watching them perform, and would speak to them about every performance… these things helped open our eyes.”

Mariella’s other interests include traveling (she’s been in at least 15 countries), going to the beach and amusement parks, spending time with friends, getting spa treatments, fashion, photography and baking. 

But above all these, there’s the performing arts.

“Performing makes me really happy. I can see myself enjoying this for a long time. Performing will always be a part of me.”