Anne Curtis is officially coming out of her “hibernation” with a concert titled LUV-ANNE: The Comeback. It will be the star’s first show with a live audience in four years and first major project that has something to do with entertainment after focusing on being mommy to now two-year-old Dahlia Amelie.
The Viva artist left the country late December 2019 to give birth to her first child with Erwan Heussaff, in her hometown in Melbourne, Australia. But with ensuing COVID lockdowns, she had to stay there with her little family for more than a year.
Now, after a two-year showbiz hiatus, Anne felt it was time to work again and begin the comeback with a bang by taking to the stage on June 11, 8p.m. at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila.
“I’m very, very excited but I’m also very nervous actually because it’s been so long since I last performed,” said Anne at a recent virtual presscon to promote LUV-ANNE. “As a lot of you know, I’ve been a full-time mom for the past two years.”
LUV-ANNE was pitched to her the moment she set foot back in the country last year, but given the unpredictability of the pandemic situation, it was a “constant battle within me” to push through with the plan.
Initially, what they had in mind was a digital show. But with the concert scene reemerging after over two years of social distancing, Anne felt ready to face the challenges of a live show.
“It was a lot of preparation for me, I think, of being able to be ready to be on stage again. But you know, what’s great about this concert, it’s really a kick-off party for my comeback. I’m now ready to start working again and to be passionate about my passions again, which of course (include) acting eventually, along the way,” the 37-year-old actress said.
Understandably, LUV-ANNE is more intimate compared to her past big-venue concerts like AnneBisyosa: No Other Concert, AnneKapal: The Forbidden Concert and AnneKulit: Promise, Last Na ‘To.
“So, I really feel it’s kind of like a reunion amongst my followers, friends and family that I haven’t seen in a long time. It really has more of a personal touch to it,” said Anne.
Plus, she hinted, she’s returning with improved vocals and singing style. “In a way, one thing new here is that my voice is so well-rested. I think you will see the difference. My voice, may improvement kahit papaano,” Anne quipped.
“Mas nag-mature yung style. Hindi naman mawawala ang biritan diyan but I will say that nakapahinga talaga yung voice ko. Gumanda (laughs). I wouldn’t say sobrang ganda, but there’s improvement.”
Anne further shared how she’s been preparing for LUV-ANNE. “There’s been a lot of preparations for several months now but I haven’t been posting about it. That’s something I’m still working on again, doing all the social media content. But I really have been preparing. I’ve been doing dance rehearsals like at least twice or thrice a week just to get movement in my body again. I’ve been doing band rehearsals. I’ve been taking voice lessons… because you know, it was two years of normalcy for me, of being a mom. The most thing that I was doing was nursery rhymes. So far, I just needed that kickstart.”
Fans are also waiting for her to return to the ABS-CBN noontime variety show It’s Showtime or do a movie or series soon. Nothing’s final but she’s also begun preparing herself for the workload ahead. (There’s a special announcement at noon today on her social media pages about her next career move.)
“Even in terms of films, Viva has also been sending me different scripts. As to when we will shoot, I mean, we’re still trying to figure it out because, of course, we’re still dealing with a pandemic. During that previous time, there was still lock-in during the shooting but I wasn’t ready to be away from my daughter.
“So, yeah, there’s been adjustments… but at least, the prep time is already there. I’ll probably pick up a workshop again when it comes to acting because I feel like I’m so rusty. I’m really prepping in the different fields that I’m very passionate about.”
Nevertheless, Anne is only grateful for the chance to have enjoyed a life away from the spotlight over the pandemic. Among the “normal things” she was able to experience were as simple as grocery shopping and driving around with Dahlia. The actress noted that there’s a segment in the concert that will explain why it was important for her to take a break and devote her time and energy to her personal life.
“I think for any human being, it doesn’t matter what industry you’re in, you really have to make that time for yourself, to love yourself and to love your life, which maybe (you’ve not done enough) because, you know, you’re so, not naman addicted, but so driven. It’s always a great time for you to take a step back, realize and take notice of the things that truly matter,” she said.
As she comes back, it’s safe to expect a familiar but at the same time, changed Anne. “I want now to balance both that relaxing normalcy with my family, as a mother, and also as Anne that everyone has probably missed in It’s Showtime and as an actress,” she said.
Meanwhile, Anne was asked if she’d be bringing Dahlia to the concert. “Hindi pa ako handa to bring her to a crowded venue. But maybe during the run-through, I’ll bring her. Ipapaalam ko muna kay Erwan, sana payagan,” she laughed.
From the stories of the proud mommy, it appears that her daughter is turning out to be her “mini-me.”
“She loves to sing. She loves to do ballet, sobrang bibo talaga. And she can sing like whenever I practice my songs, she can pick up the songs. Ang cute! We’ll see if I can bring her because I’m also excited for her to see her mom fly (on stage).”
LUV-ANNE is directed by Paolo Valenciano with creative direction by Georcelle Dapat-Sy and musical direction by Louie Ocampo. Ticket prices range from P2,500 (Bronze) to P10,000 (Platinum). For details, call Viva (0908-8144601), Ticketworld (8891-9999) or SM Tickets (8470-2222).