Being this generation’s most sought-after actresses, the public can’t take their eyes off Andrea Brillantes. The 19-year-old’s every move has the capacity to go viral, be it funding her family’s dream home at 18 to her funny “oil tasting” blooper in a music video.

Unfortunately, not every moment Andrea trends online ends up the same way. Just a month ago, she received backlash after a video of her baby talking at a store in Siargao went viral. Netizens were quick to throw negative remarks at the actress, accusing her of “acting cute” among others. Little did they know, however, that the situation is more complicated than it seems.

In an interview for Karen Davila‘s YouTube channel, Andrea opened up about the effects of her very early start in show biz. ICYDK, she began working as a child star at only seven years old, and eventually became her family’s breadwinner at 10.

“Dati litong-lito ako kasi ang aga kong nagdalaga, tapos nung nag-15 ako parang nagkaroon ako ng breakdown na hala, 5 years nalang 20 na ko,” she shared. “So iyak ako nang iyak tapos nung nag-15 ako bumalik ako sa pagkabata kasi natakot ako, sabi ko ayoko, ayoko ganyan. Mix po siya eh.”

Andrea then brings up the baby talking video in Siargao, clarifying that it’s something she doesn’t do on purpose.

She explains, “Voice ko talaga siya pero hindi siya ‘yung napipili ko subconsciously. Bigla lang siya nagsi-switch kasi nung bata ako, kulang din ako sa pansin. Kasi nga bunso ako, ‘di ako lumaki sa parents ko. Baby baby talaga ako dati dati pa. Pero ‘yung pagka-baby voice ko, sometimes good and bad.

“Kasi minsan lalabas siya pag ibig sabihin no’n komportable ako sa’yo o feeling ko may nakikita akong father figure sayo, or kuya figure, ate figure, kasi lumaki din ako sa broken family so wala ako masyadong father figure talaga, tapos maaga din namatay ‘yung father figure ko, ‘yung lolo ko. So pag nakakakita ako ng ganon lumalabas ‘yung pagka-baby talk ko kasi feeling ko ay maaalagaan niya ko.”

The actress adds that she also unconsciously starts baby talking when she’s overexcited, happy, or when she feels uncomfortable or shy. “So hindi ko talaga siya napipili. Minsan mare-realize ko nalang pag inaasar na ko ng mga tao na dun ako nagbe-baby talk,” she reveals.

When asked if she feels offended whenever people point out her way of speaking, Andrea calmly said no.

She says, “Hindi, kasi pati ako hindi ko din maintindihan eh. Bumabalik at bumabalik talaga siya. Nababago ko lang siya kapag may role ako. Kasi trabaho ‘yun at tsaka kailangan. So feeling ko part talaga siya ng childhood ko na nawala.”

That said, Andrea is fortunate to have friends who understand her habits and her personality. “‘Yung baby talk ko, kala kasi nila nagpapa-cute ako, pero ‘yung friends ko alam nila na ganun lang talaga ako as a person. Sila ‘yung minsan naaawa pa sakin pero kasi wala po ko talagang magagawa eh,” the actress admits.