Barbie missed a casting opportunity in three of Marian Rivera’s shows!

“Kapuso Primetime Princess” Barbie Forteza has recalled the reasons why she was never picked as young Marian Rivera for the actress’s titular roles: “MariMar,” “Darna,” and “Dyesebel.”

Barbie has detailed these hilariously failed auditions, together with David Licauco, during an interview in “Fast Talk With Boy Abunda” on Monday, February 12, 2024.

Before Barbie became a household name of GMA-7, there was a point in time when she missed landing on several roles due to some tiny lapses.

Barbie Forteza
IMAGE: janra_ on Instagram

When asked about it, Barbie says, “Yung tatlong unang teleserye po ni Miss Marian Rivera, nag-audition po ako as young—yung ‘Marimar,’ ‘Dyesebel,’ saka ‘Darna.’”

With a little laugh, Barbie recalls further, “So, siyempre, yung una, ‘Marimar,’ hindi po ako natanggap kasi takot ako sa aso noon. E, ‘di po ba, may Pulgoso,” which refers to Marimar’s loyal guard dog in the series.

Such was also the case when she auditioned as young Dyesebel, mainly because “Hindi ako marunong lumangoy.” 

Taking this particular attempt in a humorous manner, Barbie quips, “Ganda lang siya. Ganda lang ambag ni girl. E, medyo yun yung point nung show, medyo dapat marunong kang lumangoy.”

Drawing laughs from both David and Boy, Barbie continues, “And then, last, nung ‘Darna’ naman po, takot naman ako sa heights. Hindi naman pwedeng lumipad.

“Hindi ko rin sure ba’t din ako nag-audition pero yun po,” Barbie finishes.

Barbie’s claim to fame would eventually become another young role, as young Rhian Ramos in the 2009 adaptation of the K-Drama series “Stairway To Heaven.”

David Licauco recalls failed audition for Barbie Forteza-bannered “Meant To Be”

David—Barbie’s on-screen partner—also wasn’t spared from missing out on a casting opportunity.

Prior to Barbie’s revelations, David shared that he wasn’t able to secure a role in GMA-7’s 2017 series “Meant To Be,” bannered by Barbie.

The 29-year-old actor reveals, “I just remember na sinabi sa akin nung handler ko at that time na mag-audition daw ako kasama si Barbie Forteza.

“And at that time, Barbie was already, you know, like, on top of shows…sikat na siya nun kaya parang nakaka-intimidate naman talaga.  

“So, pagpasok ko ng ano, naalala ko pa, sabi kasi dun parang kailangan ng Chinese guy. And then when I go to the room, I entered the room, nakita ko si Barbie, ay nakaka-intimidate naman talaga.” 

With all the nerves going on at that moment, David admits that he was rattled and messed up his bit, saying, “Wala talaga, ‘di ko alam mga pinaggagawa ko nun.”

Barbie has then taken David’s mishap into consideration, as she says, “Pero, to be fair, first audition. First-ever audition po yun, Tito Boy.”

Barbie would eventually have Ken Chan, Addy Raj, Ivan Dorschner, and current boyfriend Jak Roberto as her four leading men in “Meant To Be.”

Barbie Forteza, David Licauco prepare for their upcoming series “Pulang Araw” 

Following the success of “Maria Clara at Ibarra,” Barbie and David are now gearing up for another period-piece series, “Pulang Araw” with Alden Richards and Sanya Lopez.

Barbie and David, more popularly called together as BarDa, will portray Adelina Dela Cruz and Hiroshi Tanaka respectiovely, whose lives are set at the time of Japanese occupation in the Philippines.

Barbie Forteza, David Licauco
IMAGE: barbaraforteza on Instagram

In preparation for their roles, Barbie has been doing tap dance training. Just as much, David is already immersed in learning Nihongo, as required by his character as a Japanese soldier.

The other celebrities who will join the four Sparkle stars are Epy Quizon, Angelu De Leon, Rochelle Pangilinan, Ashley Ortega, Mikoy Morales, and Aidan Veneracion.