Kylie Padilla: Strong is sexy

Stronger than the boys. A daughter of action star Robin Padilla is expected to be one. 

Kylie Nicole Sicangco Padilla hails from a family of actors. Aside from her famous father, sister Queenie is an actress, cousin Daniel is a teen superstar, and uncles Roy and BB Gandanghari are showbiz mainstays.

Like her dad, Kylie practices Muay Thai. She is also a painter, makeup artist, singer, and recently, a car racer. Managed by Vidanes Artist Management, she is currently under an exclusive contract with GMA. 

The 22-year-old charmer got sound advice from her father: “Be professional, treat the people on the set humanely and keep yourself grounded.”

In a recent photo shoot, she did not ask for a makeup artist. We watched in awe as she swiftly and beautifully made herself up. Kylie is full of pleasant surprises. 

THE PHILIPPINE STAR: How did you start your gym workouts?

KYLIE PADILLA: Well, before I went to the gym, I had the tendency to eat a lot. I didn’t care if it was healthy. PE in school was my only exercise. Exercise wasn’t a big deal for me. I was sporty, but maintaining in the gym wasn’t in the book.

How did the workouts make you stronger?

More than the physical benefit, I developed discipline. It also inspired me to live a healthier life. In our day and age, we’re so into technology that we forget to exercise and get active. Having the gym around, it’s a place to go to. It’s a place to burn all the calories and get your heart rate up, which is important.

Who inspires you to be stronger?

Before, when I was just starting, I had an image of someone and what I wanted my body to be like. It was Jessica Alba. It worked for a while, but then I realized we couldn’t have the same body. I have a different body. So I set a time, I will work out today for at least one hour. I motivate myself to not give in to the excuse that I can’t finish my workout anymore. When I was regularly doing Muay Thai, I was stronger than men. But it is not really about proving I’m stronger. I work out for myself. 

Give a misconception about fitness that you want to change people’s views of.

It’s not about the weighing scale. It’s about your health. I don’t encourage people to be a certain weight. For actors, a certain weight is expected. But it’s not that. It’s what’s healthy for you, really. 

How do you inspire others to take care of their bodies?

I’m really a big supporter of self-love, and part of self-love is taking care of your body. Most people forget that. You can go to the gym to take care of your body. Also, there’s discipline. You have fun. You get to challenge yourself. And you get to see how strong you really are — physically, emotionally, mentally. It’s a complete training. People don’t really know that. 

Do you think strong is sexy?

Hello! Yes, of course! Everything, not just your body. Like I said, training makes you strong physically, emotionally, mentally. When you go to the gym, you use your whole body, your mind, and everything. You gain discipline, strength, and confidence. That’s sexy.

How important is fitness to your career?

Really important. There are certain roles that demand it. I did such a role for my dad. You need the stamina and the endurance. You need to build endurance, and you do that in the gym.

How do you want to be remembered?

I just wanna be remembered as a good, kind-hearted human being. That’s it.

* * *

Post me a note at mylene@goldsgym.com.ph or mylenedayrit@gmail.com.