One of the most-anticipated actresses of her generation, award-winning Charlie Dizon definitely deserves the hype and recognition she has earned from inspired fans, captivated viewers, and impressed critics for her performances over the years.
Presently headlining the well-received Kapamilya suspense-thriller “What Lies Beneath” as the fierce and intriguing Beth Sevilla-Mora, Charlie Dizon proves she has nothing to hide in this episode of “The B Side.”
Charlie came close to living the life of a K-pop idol
First on the list of her revelations is that she was an idol trainee in South Korea for nine months. At 17, the second-year nursing student at the University of Santo Tomas pursued the international career path, inspired both by a classmate’s love for K-pop and her interest in K-dramas.
The young Charlie, having performed at K-pop events in mall shows, seized the opportunity when a Korean talent company held an audition in the Philippines. At first, only her older sisters knew about it, until she eventually had to tell her parents in order to fly to South Korea as a minor.
She mentioned that her mother was against the idea, but her sisters were hopeful. “Wala kasing nag-showbiz sa amin. So, parang impossible ‘yun. Parang kailangan talaga academics,” she added.
Before leaving for South Korea, Charlie celebrated her debut birthday party in the Philippines. Once everything was set, her family flew with her to check her living quarters and the process she would undergo as a trainee.
The Kapamilya actress was the only one selected out of a thousand hopefuls. For her audition, she performed The Black Eyed Peas’ “Where Is The Love,” which she describes as completely different from the belting songs sung by the other participants. “‘Pag ako nakapasok sa girl group, gusto ko rapper ako,” she joked.
“Kaya nila ako nagustuhan kasi very raw… Mas madali daw [akong] pasukan ng information or like ng training,” she explained, highlighting that it was willpower that made her stand out.
As fate would have it, her training did not continue due to issues with her long-term visa. “Parang hiyang-hiya lang ako na hindi natuloy,” she recalled, remembering how she had shared her K-pop training journey with her university and relatives.
Two years later, Charlie’s father asked about her plans, and she decided to take acting workshops at ABS-CBN. Before that, however, she needed to finish her studies, balancing them alongside her acting pursuits.
“Ayoko na talaga na parang sila pa ‘yung sasalo,” she conveyed. It was that time when Charlie moved to De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, where she earned a degree in Human Resource Management.
When it comes to the lesson she learned from the humbling experience, she makes it a point to empower other dreamers, emphasizing the importance of carrying themselves with confidence, no matter where they go. “Kahit feeling ko noon na konti lang ‘yung skills ko, kailangan kong lumaban,”
The early roles that set the stage for Charlie
Charlie’s first-ever role was as the youngest sibling of John Lloyd Cruz in the film “Finally Found Someone,” alongside Sarah Geronimo. The actress quipped that she only had one line in the film—“Kuya”—but delivered it with different emotions depending on the scene.
She soon met Director Cathy Garcia-Sampana during her nephew’s audition as a young Daniel Padilla, who had trouble crying on cue, and Charlie came to the rescue. That moment gave her the opportunity to be an extra in another John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo film, “It Takes a Man and a Woman,” where she appeared in the background drinking juice in the United States setting where Sarah’s character lived.
After that, she appeared in Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber’s film, “Loving in Tandem,” as a humorous “snatcher.”
“Masayang-masaya ako na may mga ganun akong work talaga. Saka feeling ko noon, okay na malapit ka na,” she commented.
Another project that helped her career shine was the family film “Seven Sundays” by Director Cathy. The renowned director wanted her on set, and Charlie received constructive criticism that helped her grow stronger as an emerging actress. In the film, she played Camille, an old friend of Enrique Gil’s character.
Her first lead role in “Fan Girl” changed her life
In the film “Fan Girl,” Charlie portrays Jane, a high school student and devoted fan of actor Paulo Avelino. This role helped put her on the map alongside other talented actresses of her generation.
“Hindi ko akalaing ganun ka-daring ‘yung mga mangyayari,” she admitted, recalling the intimate and startling scenes in the film that helped her portray her character’s obsessed fan-girl persona, which she approached using method acting.
She clarified that she enjoys taking risks even without knowing exactly what will happen next. “Ang dami ko nang ginawang eksena na mas mahirap. Tapos doon pa ba ako susuko sa mga ganoong eksena, ‘yung mga medyo intimate… Tumalon ako sa mall, hinabol ‘yung tricycle,” she added.
It was during this time that her co-workers would tell her she had a high chance of winning a Gawad Urian award, which she did not win. However, she did go on to win Metro Manila Film Festival’s Best Actress in 2020 for the same film.
“Hindi ko alam at all ‘yung awards, gusto ko lang may kitain… kailangan may ma-prove ako sa parents ko na kumikita ako dito sa showbiz,” she admitted.
With her mentors and coaches, and the anticipation surrounding the film, she said, “Doon ko lang actually sineryoso ‘yung acting talaga.”
Back-to-Back Gawad Urian Win and Wedding with Carlo Aquino
She did not win the Gawad Urian Best Actress Award for her breakthrough film, but she won it in 2024 for “Third World Romance,” the same film in which she co-starred with her husband, Carlo Aquino.
With her wedding happening just a day after the Gawad Urian, even Director Lauren Dyogi—the couple’s godfather—asked if she could attend the awarding ceremony, and fortunately, Charlie was able to claim her well-deserved accolade.
“Actually hindi ko na nga nanamnam na nanalo ako, kasi siyempre mas nanamnamin ko ‘yung kinasal kami ‘di ba?” she quipped.
Charlie shines as the fierce Beth in “What Lies Beneath”
After “Four Sisters Before the Wedding” and “Pira-Pirasong Paraiso,” she once again joins an all-women powerhouse cast. “Pang-girl group pala talaga ako, pero sa acting pala,” she humored.
“Parang nagbabarkadahan din kami talaga doon sa set,” she discloses.
Adding to the series’ mystery, the cast doesn’t shoot the scenes in chronological order, and each actor only knows their character’s backstory, leaving them unaware of their redemption arcs.
Charlie grew fond of her character, Beth, as this was the first time she played someone in a “gray area” and as a person who stands up for herself when treated as insignificant.
“You can’t judge your character kasi may tao talagang ganyan, so kailangan ma-represent mo siya nang tama,” she emphasized.
Watch Charlie as the outspoken Beth Sevilla-Mora in “What Lies Beneath,” weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), A2Z, TV5, and iWant.