Why Kylie Verzosa doesn’t do dating apps

MANILA, Philippines — Kylie Verzosa tried a dating site for the first time as part of her preparation for her role in JP Laxamana’s new romantic comedy film Baby Boy, Baby Girl. The latest offering of Viva Films is now showing in cinemas nationwide.

“It’s a different role. Several people haven’t seen me in this type of role but in a rom-com setting,” the former Miss International recently told The STAR in an exclusive chat.

“What I liked about the film is that these are stuff that people don’t talk about — sugar baby, sugar daddy, sugar mommy, sugar dating — which is really happening in real life. This film by JP Laxamana, he presented in a very fun and rom-com way.”

As mentioned, Kylie had to sign up for a dating site for research purposes. “Actually, it was based off this dating site. So direk JP asked me to visit the dating site,” the actress recalled.

“I even actually signed up and I saw all nicknames, nakakatawa because I’ve never been on any dating sites (apps), you know, Tinder or Bumble, I’ve never tried them. So, it was so new that oh my god, it opened up my world, that this is happening but, you know, we should really have to be open (to this reality).”

Kylie did not say the dating site’s name. But when she did sign up, she saw “guys you can choose from because there’s a line in the film, you can choose what you’re looking for, is it companionship, is it money, is it gifts, is it time, so siempre, I chose like the safer ones.”

She further related that the “options” were more from abroad. “Sa Philippines meron din naman but like different nationalities and like older men. So nakakatuwa na nakita ko siya (because) it’s so different and I come from a very conservative family, so everything is new to me… it’s just very different. But not judging anything. It’s their life, it’s their hustle.”

“And I guess it’s the story of Baby Boy, Baby Girl, it’s about two hustlers (who are also exes) and they found the easiest way to get out of a hard life. They tried it out and they learned that it’s probably not the best for them. They learned some things along the way from them. For me, it’s a very interesting story,” she further said.

Sugar dating is widely defined as a relationship where a younger and struggling person gets support from an older, wealthier person through money, vacations, lavish gifts, etc.

Given her conservative family background, The STAR asked Kylie if she harbored strong opinions on sugar dating prior to doing the film and she said, “I mean I’ve heard about it, ‘di ba parang sikat yung mag-punta ka sa Dubai because you’re gonna marry rich …”

On TikTok, she also saw content offering “tips pa nga on how to get a guy to give you money and nakaka… parang wow, girls really do this.”

She has also heard stories about pageants becoming an avenue for rich “pageant sponsors” to get girls.

“I’m very against it. Pageants shouldn’t even be an avenue for this,” Kylie said.

“It’s not supposed to be a place for, you know, ‘sponsors to get girls.’ Pageant has to be a safe place. It’s supposed to be a safe space for women,” she stressed.

But back to her earlier pronouncement that she never tried online dating. She explained that she still prefers “traditional” face-to-face dating and courtship.

“It’s just that dating sites are not my thing. Maybe, I’m very old school in a way na parang gusto ko ma-meet ang guy in person. There’s this sort of mystery… I feel like if I’ve met someone through a dating site, then he’s probably going to do the same with another girl.

“So yeah, yung security ko dun na kaming dalawa lang, it’s not there. I’m still very old school, very traditional, when it comes to dating,” she said.

Kylie is currently single but she’s open to falling in love again this year.

“Right now, at this stage of my life, I’m looking for someone stable, someone I can really get along with. I’m not so much about the looks because, you know, it fades.

“But it’s the connection also for me right now. And someone who can support me and my career. It’s not an easy career to support. So I want someone who can push me and help me achieve my dreams and my goals.

“And you know, give me a bit of freedom but also be sweet at the same time. It’s a mix of everything. And it’s just a matter of trying to balance both your lives together. So, let’s see.”