In one particularly telling scene in “Born to Shine,” a musical drama series that explores the realities of the idol industry, an aspiring girl group member is asked to lose six pounds and is put on a strict diet plan if she’s to secure her spot in the lineup.
That hits close to home for Olive May, a former member of the P-pop group Calista. While she didn’t face the same direct expectations, the beauty standards and the inherent pressure to always look her best inevitably got to her. Before she knew it, the chicken inasal-loving, “extra-rice-kind of girl” had become overly mindful of her eating habits.
“Umabot sa point na na-co-conscious na ‘ko sa mga photo shoots. Or kapag masikip ang damit, parang ‘di ako makahinga, or naiisip ko baka may makitang kung ano. So, nag-diet ako,” she tells Lifestyle Inquirer.
Not about being skinny
At one point, she limited herself to one meal a day. And some days would pass—after rigorous rehearsals and juggling her studies—only for her to realize it was already 10 p.m., and she had only had coffee. “It was unhealthy,” Olive admits. That became more apparent during the group’s workout sessions, where she would often end up completely spent.
Yes, she did lose weight, but the result wasn’t quite what she had envisioned for herself. The people around her couldn’t help but notice. “Pinagsabihan rin ako na, ‘Huy, tama na,’” says Olive, who was then also pursuing pageantry—yet another field where appearance is constantly judged.
It was one of the moments that made her realize that things didn’t have to be that way. While she believes that an idol must always look “presentable,” it shouldn’t come at the cost of health. “Being an idol isn’t about being skinny. Kailangan ding makita ng tao na healthy ka, or else, susundan ka nila.”
Olive didn’t want to set that kind of example. “Just appreciate kung paano ‘yung body mo,” she says, adding that she’s thankful that P-pop isn’t as rigid about body image as other counterparts abroad. “And if you must go on a diet and work out, do it with proper guidance. Most importantly, it should never reach the point where it starts making you feel sad or burned out.”
That’s exactly her outlook these days toward health and fitness. “Na-e-enjoy ko na mag-workout. Dapat hindi burden ‘yun; it should be something na excited kang gawin,” she says. “Sa food, ‘di naman kailangan na hindian mo lahat. In moderation lang talaga dapat.”
No regrets
Now, two years after her departure from Calista to pursue a solo career, she couldn’t be happier to be fulfilling her original dream of acting. On top of that, she gets to be part of a GMA 7 afternoon series that allows her to continue showcasing her singing and dancing talents. “Ayokong pabayaan ang performing,” she says.
As Megan Halari, an idol hopeful determined to prove her worth while living in the shadow of her superstar mother, all her extensive P-pop training came into full play. Scenes that required performance numbers felt second nature. The way you move onstage, the facial expressions, the aura you project—she already had them down pat.
“You need stamina for it. Hindi madali kumanta at sayaw nang sabay,” says the 21-year-old singer-actress, who has also appeared in such shows as “Maka” and “Forever Young.” “But thanks to my training, it’s now more manageable.”
In fact, her knowledge comes in handy when working with creative staff or co-stars who aren’t as well-versed in pop group dynamics. “I get to help them with execution and blocking,” says Olive. “I’m aware of other genres like hip-hop and dancehall, too.”
Clearly, her idol career, however short-lived it was, has been an instructive and foundational part of her career. And while she’s incredibly grateful for it, she has no regrets about going solo—as it has blown the doors wide open for her career. “Ang daming opportunities at ang dami kong nakilala,” she says. “I’m happier now because I get to do the three things I love most.”
And this time, without the pressure to be anything other than the well-rounded artist she wants to become.
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