Flonique Guimary

Lella Ford gets candid about controversies and ‘nepo baby’ tag

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>Kapamilya Big Winner Lella Ford got candid on possible issues or controversies she may encounter after her <em>Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0 </em>journey.</p><div> </div><p>In an interview with King of Talk Boy Abunda for Fast Talk, Lella opened up about how growing up in a high-profile family prepared her for the critics and possible controversies that come with showbiz.</p><div> </div><p>“Yes po. I’m ready and bata pa lang ako, ang dami ko na rin pong naririnig na mga ganyan. You know, growing up, daming kong naririnig ng mga controversial things about my mom, about my brother so sa akin po mas mabigat po yung kapag tungkol sa pamilya ko po yun but if tungkol sa akin lang po, mas kaya ko pong harapin,” Lella explained.</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIF4cu1vLYy/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A341623.1999999881%2C%22ls%22%3A341248.3000000119%2C%22le%22%3A341613.60000002384%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="834" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div> </div><p>Lella also shared that criticisms directed at her personally are easier to manage compared to those involving her loved ones. She also wanted to focus on what truly matters for her.</p><div> </div><p>“Well, ako po mas gusto ko pong bigyang pansin yung mga kailangang bigyang pansin. So, kapag alam ko po na gusto lang talaga manira or wala namang pong meaning yung mga sinasabi nila, deadma na lang,” she expressed.</p><div> </div><p>Lella then addressed accusations of being a “nepo baby,” as she is the daughter of Karla Estrada and the younger sister of Daniel Padilla.</p><div> </div><p>“Totoo naman po. I mean, where’s the lie? It’s true and wala naman pong masama doon. That’s why naging masama lang siya if you take advantage of it, if palamunin ka lang, wala kang ginagawa. But ako po, I’m here because I’m making a name for myself and pinaghihirapan ko lahat ng mayroon ako now.”</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVxnmNYjE8k/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A341630.1999999881%2C%22ls%22%3A341248.3000000119%2C%22le%22%3A341613.60000002384%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1023" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div> </div><p>Before officially launching her showbiz career, Lella had already appeared in several projects alongside her mother and brother. In 2025, she was introduced as one of the newest artists under ABS-CBN’s Star Magic. She later on became part of the celebrity housemates for the second batch of <em>Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition.</em></p><div><em> </em></div><p>During her stint inside the house, Lella faced various criticisms online that prompted her mother, Karla, to speak up and defend her.</p><div> </div><p>“Alam naman kasi medyo napag-usapan yun na mayroong isa na talagang kailangan lang palagan. Medyo hindi na kasi siya para sa amin lang and parang feeling ko sa dami ng magulang na nakaranas ng mga ganung experience, mga nawalan ng anak, eh medyo doon ko gustong ipa–message was actually for all the parents and you know. Hindi siya kayang palagpasin, Tito Boy,” Karla answered. “Parang hindi ko kayang ihingi ng pasensya yung ginawa kong alma.”</p><div> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/3/3/karla-estrada-calls-out-bashers-of-daughter-lella-ford-hindi-ko-ito-palalagpasin-1033" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Karla Estrada calls out bashers of daughter Lella Ford: ‘Hindi ko ito palalagpasin’</strong></a></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>She also responded to comments about their family’s support during Lella’s journey in the competition, particularly during the final week of voting, making Lella the Kapamilya Big Winner.</p><div> </div><p>“Well actually, effort yun ng buong pamilya hindi lang kami. Effort ng buong pamilya, ng close friends. At bakit hindi? Yung ating mga barangayan na pageant, di ba may mga solicitation tayo nung araw, ginagawan ng paraan.”</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVvhnLdDyzw/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A341636.89999997616%2C%22ls%22%3A341248.3000000119%2C%22le%22%3A341613.60000002384%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1149" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2026/2/28/lella-ford-and-caprice-cayetano-are-pbb-collab-2-0-big-winners-2125" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Lella Ford and Caprice Cayetano are PBB Collab 2.0 Big Winners</strong></a></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/3/1/exclusive-pbb-collab-2-0-ultimate-8-plan-to-use-prizes-for-their-families-and-chosen-charities-0948" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ:  EXCLUSIVE: PBB Collab 2.0 Ultimate 8 plan to use prizes for their families and chosen charities</strong></a></div><div> </div><p>“I think it’s normal for the family to support ang isa sa mga kamag-anak na nandiyan sa ganyang pa contest or whatever you may call it. And yes, sumuporta ang buong pamilya, the friends and the relatives were all there and nasurprise (din) kami na ang laking bahagi ng sambayanan na sumuporta to vote for Carmella,” Karla said.</p>

<p>Lella Ford says she’s ready to face issues she may encounter in her showbiz career.</p>

Lella Ford says she’s ready to face issues she may encounter in her showbiz career.