It’s been almost a decade since Kelley Day first became part of GirlTrends, the all-female group of It's Showtime. It was composed of 22 members which included Maris Racal, Loisa Andalio, Chie Filomeno, Barbie Imperial, and Dawn Chang, to name a few. The Filipina-British beauty admitted to PUSH ABS-CBN in an exclusive interview that she has definitely worked on improving her skills in showbiz since parting ways with the group.
“Mas magaling na ako sumayaw,” she declared. “Actually, hindi rin. I was what, 19 years old until 21 years old ako nag-stop (sa GirlTrends).”
She has also grown more mature in many ways, including in her perspective about things.
“A lot has changed in my life. Basically I could say I was like a teenager and now I’m an adult. I’m a young woman now and I think the priorities are different in my life. The things that I put my time into are different. And I’m focused more on my family. I realized that life is really too short. You know, over the past years we had the pandemic and, hindi lang ‘yun, everyone probably lost someone that they love. And it just put things into perspective. Like, life became real for me since those GirlTrend days,” she told PUSH ABS-CBN.
Although not in constant communication with her fellow girl group members anymore, Kelley said she looks forward to running into them every now and then.
“Naka-work ko na sila, like si Krissha (Viaje) — naka-work ko siya for a Viva project a few months ago — and si Erin (Ocampo) naman naka-work ko din noong 2021 sa GMA. And si Jessica (Marasigan), who was one of my best friends in GirlTrends, lagi ko siya nakikita sa High Street sa BGC. Nagkakasalubong kami once a year. Lagi ko din siya ini-invite sa birthday ko, her and Maika (Rivera), pero hindi pa nakapunta si Maika,” she shared.
Kelley shared that when they do get to meet up, it’s as if no time has passed. “I’ve seen a few naman but we’re all in different stages of our lives now. At least the bond that I formed with them will last forever. Kasi when I seem them, para same lang eh. Parang hindi ten years yung lumagpas. It doesn’t feel like that.”
The now 29-year-old actress recently starred in director Louie Ignacio’s crime thriller All About Her which was part of the recent Sinag Maynila Film Festival. Kelley shared that accepting more complex roles is part of her evolution as a performer since joining GirlTrends.
“That’s why I try to take projects that I’m passionate about. Hindi ako puro yes ng yes sa mga offers ng work, really. Minsan na-fi-feel ko na ‘yung managers ko sumasakit ang ulo nila sa akin kasi they have this opportunity and I say I don’t want it. Why? It doesn’t fulfill me. I want to do something that makes me feel fulfilled. Siguro before, ano lang, kung may work, kung may exposure, gawin mo. Okay, go lang. Kasi nasa learning stage pa lang pa ako nun. Ngayon more selective ako,” she admitted.
In 2024, Kelley opened up after being diagnosed with panic disorder which also led to her taking a short hiatus from showbiz a few years ago.
“I came a long way from the last time that I talked about it but I still live with it. I realized that having a mental disorder, like a clinical disorder, it’s probably quite rare na maging 100% ka normal. It’s something that you carry for the rest of your life, at least that’s how I feel. It’s been maybe three years now and, up to now, I have panic disorder. I still experience panic attacks sometimes. Although bihira na, I just choose to put myself in situations away from triggers,” she said.
Sharing some advice for those who are going through the same mental health struggles as she did, Kelley said it helps to maintain good boundaries.
“I guess my advice is learn to say no. And it’s not just with work opportunities — it’s really knowing your triggers, knowing what will make you feel good or make you feel bad, make you feel proud of what you’re doing or make you feel guilty of what you’re doing. You learn to say no to the things that will not benefit you. And sometimes it might hurt other people, but you can’t help other people and be there for other people if you’re not strong enough yourself. So I really focused on strengthening myself. And it gives me the ability to show up for others now,” she advised.