How to be an “It” girl?: Ask Toni Gonzaga

What does it take to be an “It” girl in show business?

Be a versatile host, team up with gorgeous leading men in your movies, record music albums…and fall in love with a handsome director.

Take these from “It” girl Toni Gonzaga herself.

At the age of 23, Toni has grown into one heck of an artist. From hosting reality TV shows to acting on the big screen, Toni has stretched her boundaries and has now become a recording artist.

After the successful release of her debut album, “We Belong,” Toni now launches her follow-up album.

Released under Star Records, “Falling in Love” contains 11 tracks that will make you fall in love like no other. Songs include “Catch Me I’m Fallin” which is the theme of ABS-CBN’s primetime Koreanovela “Which Star Are You From?”; “I’ve Fallen For You” which will also be the theme song of the debut film of hot loveteam Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson; and her original composition entitled “Right Kind of Wrong.”

“This album is very different from the first one kasi ito pinag-isipan talaga (this is well-thought of), from the packaging (to the) line-up of songs. The first album was an experiment, to test if people will appreciate it,” Toni said.

Hundreds of fans went wild as Toni gave them a teaser of the songs featured on her second album during her mall tour at SM Cebu Entertainment Plaza last July 28.

Having sung the themes of two hit ABS-CBN’s Koreanovelas already—“Wonderful Life” and “Which Star Are You From”—Toni is thankful for the opportunities to expand her horizons as a singer. But, she believes she has to work harder so as to continuously prove her worth.

More than just a carrier single, “Catch Me I’m Fallin” also happens to be her favorite song. After all, having been linked with the some of showbiz industry’s most eligible bachelors like Sam Milby, Luis Manzano and Piolo Pascual, Toni has finally fallen for love.

Asked if there’s one person she’ll render this song to, Toni blurted out only one name—that of music video director Paul Soriano, the guy who has captured the young woman’s heart. 

“I owe my honesty to the public, to my fans who have been loyal and supportive of me in many ways. Besides, Direk Paul is not worth denying,” Toni said with a smile.

Director Paul Soriano is her first boyfriend but the Pinoy Big Brother host doesn’t think her career will be affected with their relationship.

For Toni, “Direk Paul is not in showbiz, so there’s no point of dragging him into it.”

With a skyrocketing career and blooming love life, Toni does feel blessed, indeed. Nevertheless, there are still many things she wants to do: more movies, concerts and a show of her own to host. So, settling down is a far-fetched idea for the meantime. She thinks that 30 is the ideal age for her to marry.

But before this Wazzup Wazzup News Diva gets too excited with her future plans, Toni is happy with the projects ABS-CBN has in store for her. “I’ll be hosting a talk show and there’ll be PBB in October. Basta, they’ll see me again on primetime,” revealed Toni, beaming.

Toni had a controversial yet successful transfer of home network, what does she think of Angel Locsin’s impending move to ABS-CBN?

“The more, the merrier,” Toni said with a chuckle. “That’s why the tagline of ABS is Kapamilya.”

And speaking of Kapamilya, there’s no doubt about how much Toni feels at home in this field of entertainment. She said that had she not made it on TV right now, she would instead be trying harder just to get into this industry.

“I have always wanted to be in this business. Gusto ko talaga maging artista at kumanta (I really like to be an actress and to sing.) This is where I belong and where I long to stay.”

Well, showbiz’ “It” girl Toni Gonzaga is definitely living her dream—make that dreams!—hosting big-time shows, acting in movies, recording hit songs… and falling in love!