From being that little girl who endeared us with her cuteness and impressive skills in acting, singing, and dancing through her stint in the long-running kiddie gag show Goin’ Bulilit, we’re able to witness how Belle Mariano has bloomed into becoming one of the brightest superstars of today’s generation.

As we all know, she currently topbills the well-loved teenage drama He’s Into Her, which is now on its second season, as the fierce yet lovable Maxpein. However, did you know that upon the announcement that she would take on the role in 2019, a lot of hate was hurled against her?

In her Magandang Buhay guesting last May along with her female co-stars, she wasn’t able to keep herself from getting emotional when she recalled how people assumed that she couldn’t do the project and she’s incapable of portraying Max.

“So that time, parang napanghinaan ako ng loob kasi medyo naniniwala na rin ako sa sinasabi nila na di ko kaya,” she tearfully started off. “Medyo naca-carried away na rin ako sa sinasabi nila na ‘you can’t do Max. ‘Di [mo] kaya.’ But then that time, I came to the realization na more of thinking na negative ‘yong sinasabi nila, but I’ll take it something that could really help me do better in what I do.”

She added, “I came to a realization din na I won’t be able to fulfill my purpose if titingnan ko ‘yong sarili ko the way they see me. I should see my identity in God.”

Aside from that terrible hurdle, Belle confessed in a previous Magandang Buhay interview in 2021 that she’s also able to overcome her shyness and be able to socialize and interact now with her fellow artists. When asked how she’s able to do it, she revealed that she just chose to courageously face her fears.

“Kasi gano’n naman po, ‘di ba? Kapag may kinakatakutan ka, kailangan mo talagang harapin. Talagang titibayan ko ‘yong loob ko ‘pag interviews, just be myself. lagi ko pong pinapaalalahan ‘yong sarili ko na ‘be yourself, be proud of who you are,” she told the momshie-hosts.

May Belle have also inspired you to face your fears, be yourself, and to see the bright side of things! Go through her photos in this gallery and behold her bewitching transformation through the years.