After ‘StarStruck’ stint, MJ Felizarta to resume US studies

Mary Jae “MJ” Felizarta (MAIN FOTO)

2. MJ participates in the Sinulog Festival Queen 2019 competition. YASUNARI RAMON TAGUCHI

CEBU, Philippines — While judges found her acting genuine, Mary Jae “MJ” Felizarta’s inability to speak Tagalog convincingly proved to be a crucial factor as she failed to move past the Top 22 hopefuls in the seventh season of GMA-7’s reality artista search “StarStruck.”

Last Sunday’s episode saw the 18-year-old in her final audition, which was the basis for the decision of “StarStruck” council members Cherie Gil, Heart Evangelista, and Jose Manalo on whether she will be among the Final 14 finalists.

“Medyo hindi naintindihan,” actor-comedian Jose Manalo began, commenting on MJ’s Tagalog after watching a video of her in a dramatic monologue. “Pero you tried. Yun lang. Ang Tagalog kasi, hindi lang yung salita. Not only the words but the meaning of the words coming out of your mouth.”

Heart encouraged MJ – who grew up in North Carolina in the US – to keep learning Tagalog if she wanted to pursue an acting career in the Philippines.

“You were actually really good. Your acting was really sincere, I really felt it. I understand it’s not really your native tongue, or technically hindi ka sanay mag-Tagalog,” the actress commented. “You know, this shouldn’t stop you. This should actually inspire and push you to do more, and really read comic books out loud, and get that diction right. You were so good, so keep working on it.”

Cherie complimented MJ’s dancing skills which she showed off in a gymnastics number. The iconic screen villain advised MJ to practice Tagalog more and speak it as much as she can. She also pointed out that MJ was suited for beauty pageants.

Upon her elimination, MJ told “Inside StarStruck” host Kyline Alcantara that she was “a little bit sad,” but was very happy for the rest of the ladies who made it to the Final 14, saying that a lot of them needed and wanted the spot more.

Describing her journey as “short-lived but fun nonetheless,” MJ added that it was an honor to be part of the Top 22 since she didn’t even expect to make it that far what with her “limited skills.”

Those who made it to the Final 14 slots and will vie for the Ultimate Male and Female Survivor titles are Pamela Prinster, Angelic Guzman, Dani Porter, Ella Cristofani, Shayne Sava, Lexi Gonzales, Rere Madrid, Abdul Rahman, Karl Aquino, Kim de Leon, Gelo Alagban, Jeremy Sabido, Jerick Dolormente, and Allen Ansay.

“It’s been really exciting and fun! I got to meet so many wonderful people and I got to experience show business! I learned what it’s truly like behind the scenes and what it’s like to be an artista. And I got to have a bit of exposure after being on national TV as a Top 22 contestant,” MJ told The FREEMAN.

“I also learned to ignore the mean comments that might arise and to appreciate the good ones. I’m excited to hopefully grow not only as an actress, singer, and dancer, but also as a person.”

MJ fell in love with theatre and learned to express herself through acting in high school. She said she joined “StarStruck” because it was the best way to hone her passion in acting by learning from the industry’s best.

Last year, MJ came to Cebu to spend her gap year before attending university. With maternal roots in Bantayan, she represented the municipality during last year’s Binibining Cebu pageant, where she finished among the Top 25, out of 53 candidates. Last January, she represented Mambaling Performing Arts at the Sinulog Festival Queen competition where she was awarded Miss Photogenic.

MJ decided to represent North Carolina in “StarStruck” because it was where she was born and raised. While she does appreciate the fact that her mom is a Cebuana, America is the place she calls home.

But one shouldn’t overlook MJ’s love for her Cebu roots. MJ, who began volunteering at the age of 15, shared that same heart to serve with the local community of Mambaling where she lived with her grandparents. She volunteered through the Archdiocesan Shrine of San Roque, participating in feeding and teaching programs for the street children of Alaska, Mambaling.

“For now, I am going to pursue my college education in America. Because after modeling in Manila for four months I realized that although fun and exciting, this lifestyle isn’t very stable, considering income. So my plan is to go to college first, and learn Tagalog while I am away, and come back better.”

Planning to pursue BS Human Biology Pre-Med Track at the North Carolina State University Honors College, MJ promised to return to the Philippines to continue with pageantry, modeling, and showbiz.

“StarStruck” Season 7 airs on weekends: Saturdays after “Daddy’s Gurl” and Sundays after “Daig Kayo Ng Lola Ko.”