MANILA, Philippines — Adela-Mae Marshall, the last Filipina standing at the ongoing sixth season of reality TV series “Asia’s Next Top Model” (AsNTM), feels sad about comments questioning her looks and nationality.
“It hurts to say that I’m really not Pinay enough,” the AsNTM top three finalist told Philstar.com in a recent interview during Nadine Lustre’s launch as Skechers D’Lites endorser.
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“But at the end of the day, my whole heart is Filipino. I mean, I wouldn’t have chosen to represent the Philippines if I didn’t feel strongly that this is the country that I love, the country I identify with,” Adela assured.
Although she is half-British, Adela swore that she is whole-heartedly Filipino.
“The qualities of the Filipino that I’m very proud of (are) that I stand up for myself; I’m strong-minded and strong-willed. And I think I’m hospitable. I kind of like to help people.”
She thinks that her nationality is being questioned following the success of Filipina-American model Kelsey Merritt, who has also faced the same issue ever since she has been picked as the first Filipina Victoria’s Secret Angel who will ramp at the brand’s annual fashion show.
“I think there is the whole issue with Kelsey being a Victoria’s Secret model. I think people need to realize you can be more than one nationality,” said Adela, who professed that she also wants to become a VS Angel like Kelsey.
“Victoria’s Secret is every model’s dream. I don’t know if I not necessarily have what it takes. I would like to go as far as I could go. Maybe collaborate with the brands. I want to be in the creative side also,” enthused Marshall.
The 20-year-old has consistently placed in the top five for the weekly challenges of AsNTM, earning the highest score from the judges in week four. Of the three remaining models, she has accumulated the second most total points so far, keeping the hope alive for the Philippines to bring home the crown for a second consecutive season after Maureen Wroblewitz secured the Philippines’ first AsNTM crown last season.
Adela shared that she and Maureen are under the same talent management, but she did not tell Maureen that she applied for AsNTM.
Shooting for all of the show’s episodes have finished, said Adela, but the last episode is yet to unravel the winner on the 10th episode, tentatively to air on October 24.
“Now that it’s all over, she’s telling me to just really enjoy the moment. You’ll never know what comes next. Use the platform for good,” Adela said of the tips she got from Maureen.
Win or lose, what are Adela’s plans after AsNTM?
“I haven’t really thought about beauty pageants, pero I don’t want to close any doors also. So I’m open to the idea, but right now, I’m really focusing on modeling.”
Will Adela be able to keep up her strong performances and prove she has what it takes to be "Asia’s Next Top Model"? Be sure to follow her journey by catching all new episodes on FOX Life with a simulcast livestream on FOX+ on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. — Video by Kat Leandicho