Solenn Heussaff:
Evolving on her own terms
Interview by Maine Aquino
Photos by: Solenn Heussaff (IG), Nico Bolzico (IG),
Robbie Pinera (IG), Mark Nicdao (IG) and Taste Buddies (IG)
Solenn Heussaff’s showbiz career has been in full speed ever since she joined Survivor Philippines: Celebrity Showdown in 2010. Ten years after she dipped her toes in unfamiliar territory, the French-Filipina beauty has become a familiar face in television screens, movie posters, magazines, billboards, and YouTube videos, not to mention her Studio Soliven collaboration and Solenn Manila pop-up store.
All these from someone who was initially hesitant to be a celebrity.
“Wala talaga sa plano ko to enter showbiz kasi one, it was never in my dreams to become an actor. Two, hindi ako komportable sa harap ng camera, and I don’t know how to speak Tagalog. Tapos I was like 23 years old so medyo late na ang pagpasok ko sa showbiz,” she opens up in an exclusive interview after a Taste Buddies taping in Abbiocco Alternative Filipino, a restaurant along Scout Rallos in Quezon City.
The episode was going to be her last appearance in the said GMA News TV lifestyle show before her maternity leave last October 2019.
Sos—as her family and friends would call her—sat down for one last interview prior to temporarily leaving the limelight, and went on a trip down memory lane with GMANetwork.com. The multi-hyphenated star initiated a warm welcome and offered a seat as she started narrating the story behind her feats as an actress, wife, painter, and her newest role as a first-time mom.
Her journey to showbiz
Born Solenn Marie Adea Heussaff to a Filipino mother and French father, Solenn shares that her initial life plan was far from what she’s living right now.
Before becoming one of the country’s most coveted stars, she went to Europe to study fashion design. When she returned to Manila, she took a job as a makeup artist for different Kapuso stars.
“Noong bumalik ako, I studied makeup as well so makeup artist ako sa mga stars. Nag-start ako sa GMA na makeup artist ni Raymond Gutierrez sa Showbiz Central then naging makeup artist ako ni Richard Gutierrez sa Full House with Heart Evangelista.
“Nag-make up din ako kay Heart sa Fashionistas by Heart, so GMA din naman ako dati pero behind the cameras.”
Aside from being a makeup artist, Solenn was also a product developer for designer Lulu Tan-Gan. So when she earned a month off from her job, Ruffa Gutierrez convinced her to try out for Survivor Philippines: Celebrity Showdown.
Solenn brushed it off at the outset saying she was not a celebrity, but Ruffa believed she'd pass in that category as a makeup artist to the stars. She eventually entered the reality-based competition, becoming one of the top three finalists alongside Ervic Vijandre and Akihiro Sato, who was declared the winner.
When the show ended, Solenn started getting project offers, much to her surprise.
She said, “Nag-audition ako sa Survivor, then one thing led to anther. Noong natapos ‘yung Survivor they offered me a film with Chard [Richard Gutierrez], then they offered me a contract with GMA.”
It was her father Louis Paul who convinced the then showbiz newbie to pursue her newfound career. Solenn then decided to officially enter show business and her life changed swiftly.
“Noon I was very unsure yet. Then sabi ng dad ko, if you don’t like it, you have a fallback naman kasi you studied. You don’t need to panic. You can try it out for a while. If you like it, at least maganda ‘yung opportunity that you got. Kasi a lot of people, they really work their whole lives.”
Hard work and humility
Solenn’s life in showbiz made her learn different things. But for her, the most important thing to remember is to keep your feet on the ground and never let fame get in your head.
She revealed, “I don't like the term famous or artista. It's just exploring and learning more every day. I have a lot more to learn.”
Solenn is familiar with the tough competition in the entertainment industry. But for her, the real formula to success in the business is being professional and respectful.
“For me, it's not just about talent. It's about showing respect to other people and also being on time is very important. Kasi someone that's talented but is not on time, and does not show respect to others, might not last as long as someone na baka kulang sa talent here and there but is willing to learn and then professional.
“That's my motto in life, be professional, respect others, work as well.”
She also firmly believes that there’s no room for arrogance regardless of fame and achievements. At the end of the day, being a celebrity is still a job that is comparable to other professions.
She said, “Being an artista means you're not a queen. Being an artista is a job. It's a job like any other job. So you shouldn't have that image of yourself na may status ka or higher ka sa ibang tao.”
Despite her numerous accomplishments, Solenn remains appreciative and modest.
“When something happens I am always thankful. I never think na I deserve it, hindi ako ganun. Parang it's just about knowing what you have when you have it and being able to expound on that. Like use that platform for something nice or something good.”
Among these accomplishments are her hosting awards for Taste Buddies. With a chuckle, Solenn said that it might be because her raw and unfiltered personality would shine in every episode.
“Shocked ako kasi hanggang ngayon hindi pa diretso Tagalog ko. Tapos baluktot pa rin dila ko. I don’t know why, but I'm happy baka kasi medyo kalog ako on cam. I don't really have a filter so I guess people might like that.
“Kasi nowadays, a lot of people might have a certain personality on cam and off cam. For me, it’s really, it’s all about being true to yourself.”
Life as Mrs. Bolzico
Aside from her endearing personality, Solenn’s relationship with her husband Nico Bolzico has also been highlighted these past years. She admits that they like being real on social media, but that doesn’t mean they would share every facet of their marriage online.
“We only post when someone can learn from this. Kasi siyempre naman it's important to have your private life. With Nico, we are not the type who think or plan a post. When it happens, it happens.”
Despite being regarded as #CoupleGoals, Mrs. Bolzico confessed that they don’t have a perfect relationship.
“Every relationship has its ups and downs and has its problems. Pero it’s all about being honest to one another and trying to go day by day. Especially if you’re married, it’s a lifetime so maiiba ‘yung personality ko and ni Nico. It’s just about being able to fall in love with each other over and over again even when times are bad.”
A woman’s timeline
Like other women, Solenn wasn’t spared by society’s expectations after she got married. This is why she frequently shares her insights about following your own happiness even when the world is dictating you to choose otherwise.
“It’s a huge pressure in our society to have a child once you get married. Ako, when I got engaged, the next question is when I am getting married. Parang dapat laging may next step. Everyone has their own journey especially sa pagbubuntis.”
She added that women should follow their own timeline and not be pressured by anyone.
“If you want to be a mom at 18, if you want to be a mom at 44, then so be it. Dapat walang judgment. At the end of the day, if I decide to have a kid at 55, how am I affecting your life?
“At the end of the day, you'll only have a nice life if you're happy. So do what really pleases you, learn how to listen to people but don’t take it all in. Only accept criticism by people that you'd actually ask advice from.”
Journey to motherhood
Before giving birth to their first baby, Solenn admitted that she felt anxious about taking on the role of a mother.
She nervously discoursed, “For a first-time mom, I really have no idea what I'm doing to be quite honest. Marami akong nabili na books din but when I read it, it gives me anxiety because it’s so much information.
“Sabi nila na totoo ‘yung mother's instinct na 'pag lumabas na 'yung baby it's going to happen daw. So, sana mangyari sa akin. It's really a lot to take in, of course we're nervous.”
Solenn wanted to commit her time to #BabyBolz as soon as she gives birth. She revealed that her plan is to not get any help for a while to fully experience motherhood.
“When I become a mom, not naman na I don’t want to work, because I want to work. May anxiety ako ‘pag walang work. But I really want to focus on the first few months full on. I don’t want a night nurse; I don’t really want help. I want to be hands on talaga.”
Thylane Katana's birth
Solenn gave birth on the first day of January 2020 to a healthy baby girl they named Thylane Katana, and for the Bolzico family, this is the picture-perfect New Year celebration.
Since the Kapuso actress is on a hiatus, she regularly fills in her followers about her new life as a mother through her Instagram account. On one of her posts, the new mom wrote that she is missing her typical busy work schedule. After giving birth, she revealed that she would only leave the house for post pregnancy check-ups.
"I need to get back to the real world." she said.
Solenn also publicized that she has been dealing with postpartum after giving birth to her daughter via caesarian section.
She wrote, "4 days Post-Partum. Will be sharing my journey of recovery once I learn a little more about it. For now, won't be exercising because of my CS but will slowly get back into it. In time."
In one of her YouTube videos, she gratefully cited how her friends and family help her with mommy tips. One of the instances she particularly discussed is when she was guided that buying clothes for Thylane is impractical because she will quickly outgrow them.
"People always tell me don't buy clothes when you have a baby because they grow so fast and you won't use them. So I didn't but others did."
For Solenn, this relentless outpour of gifts for her baby is one of the signs that Thylane will be filled with so much love.
"She's very spoiled and very lucky."
On social media and finding happiness
Before the end of the interview, Solenn shared her advice for Thylane in case she reads this in the future. She is hopeful that her daughter will only hold on to things that will make her happy.
“To my daughter, I hope she doesn’t go on social media so much because I do know it’s a big factor of many mental issues in the world and in the Philippines.”
For her, unhealthy usage of social media is one of the reasons why people are unhappy. She hopes that there will come a time that people will use social media for awareness and generating positivity online.
“Social media can be used for many good things—for sharing things, sharing information, motivating people, as a platform to raise awareness. But it has tons and loads of negative things about it. So you really need to separate yourself from that.”
She then opened up about the pressure caused by social media and how it makes us compare ourselves to other people.
“It's so easy to get caught up in this routine or catch up with friends or comparing yourself. It's also easy to feel discouraged kasi you see na this person has done so much, ganun lang ‘yung age niya, tapos ako mas matanda ako bakit hindi pa ako nakaka-achieve ng dreams na gusto ko. Never compare kasi everyone has a different journey.”
We’re living in a generation where there are endless modifications happening. For Solenn, this is the best time to follow the path to your own happiness.
“Anyone can do what they want. Just believe in yourself, and know that if you fail, it's a learning and you only get better. Learn to take risks. If you don’t risk that means you're not trying. What's life if you don't try, 'di ba?
“Don't be afraid. Just go for your dreams and then if you fail, you can stand up on your feet and do it again, do it again, and again, and again. Until one day you'll look back and then laugh and say 'Bakit ganun ‘yung nararamdaman ko? Bakit ako umiiyak ng ganyan sa job na ‘to or sa lalake na 'to or whatever.’
“Everything happens in time, everything heals in time, and everything takes time so make time.”
