Lance Joseph Martinez

Alexa Ilacad Shares Why the “Gen Z Total Performer” Title Is Both an Honor and a Challenge

Article (news)

<p>One of the biggest signs that a star has truly <strong></strong>“made it”<strong></strong> in the entertainment industry is when they earn a showbiz moniker—just like how Sarah Geronimo is hailed as the “Popstar Royalty” and BINI is dubbed the “Nation’s Girl Group.”<strong></strong></p><p>But with such titles comes the challenge of constantly living up to them. And for <strong>Alexa Ilacad</strong>, the brand new season of ABS-CBN&#x27;s show<strong><em> Your Face Sounds Familiar</em></strong> is the perfect stage to prove why she deserves to be called the <strong>“Gen Z Total Performer.”</strong></p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759382399436Metro.Style Alexa Ilacad Your Face Sounds Familiar 3.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @starmagicphils</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Alexa’s journey in showbiz began when she was just a child, as part of the hit gag show <em><strong>Goin’ Bulilit</strong></em>. She later honed her acting chops through roles in <strong><em>Maalaala Mo Kaya, May Bukas Pa, </em></strong>and <strong><em>Nasaan Ka, Elisa?</em></strong>—projects that solidified her reputation as a promising young actress. But Alexa didn’t stop there.</p><p>In 2016, she ventured into music with her debut album <em><strong>To The Moon &amp; Back</strong></em>, showcasing her skills in both singing and dancing. Now at 25, Alexa is ready to step into the spotlight once more—this time, determined to prove she’s worthy of her “Gen Z Total Performer” crown.</p><p>During the media conference for <em>Your Face Sounds Familiar</em>, the actress-singer opened up about the pressure that comes with the title, especially after receiving a comment online questioning whether she deserved it.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPRUrpPk12q/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A535303%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="510" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>“I really appreciate the people who think that I am a ‘Gen Z Total Performer’ <em>kasi noong pinalabas po ‘yung</em> trailer, I saw one comment that said <em>na</em> I don’t deserve the title. And I didn’t disagree,” Alexa shared.</p><p>Instead of taking offense, she admitted that the comment made her reflect on her journey and realize she still has more to prove.</p><p>“<em>Kasi sabi ko,</em> yes, I believe <em>na hindi ko pa napapatunayan ‘yung sarili ko na </em>deserving <em>ako matawag na </em>total performer,” she continued.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759382647815Metro.Style Alexa Ilacad Your Face Sounds Familiar 2.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @starmagicphils</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>That’s why joining <em>Your Face Sounds Familiar</em> is more than just another project for Alexa—it’s a personal mission.</p><p>“Which is why I’m so excited for this show. And I’m really giving it my everything. I’m really gonna give it my all, <em>kasi</em> I really wanna prove more than to other people, for myself, <em>na kaya ko ‘to.</em> And I deserve to be called a ‘Gen Z Total Performer’,” she declared.</p><p>She added, “<em>Kasi ito naman ‘yung pangarap ko talaga.</em> I’ve always wanted to be a pop star, a singer, a dancer, everything in the arts.”</p><p>To prepare for the competition, Alexa has been undergoing intensive training—and she’s grateful to have mentors like<strong> </strong><a href="https://metro.style/metro-style/people/2025/8/26/metro-exclusive-from-diva-to-mowm-how-klarisse-de-guzman-mothered-in-pbb-celebrity-collab-1836" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Klarisse De Guzman</strong></a> and <strong>Nyoy Volante</strong> guiding her along the way.</p><p>“So yeah, I’ve been training. We’re so blessed that we have really good mentors here. Everyone in the show is so supportive of each and every one of us. <em>Lahat ng </em>request,<em> l</em><em>ahat ng hingin namin, talagang tinutulungan po nila kami</em>,” she said.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759382675215Metro.Style Alexa Ilacad Your Face Sounds Familiar 6.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @starmagicphils</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>But the work doesn’t stop there. Alexa shared that the contestants also have their own “homework” to do outside of rehearsals.</p><p>“And a<em>ko naman po, </em>on the side, <em>s&#x27;yempre</em>,<em> kanya-kanya kaming</em> homework. So we all do our own research, non-stop. Non-stop ‘<em>yung pag-aaral. </em>And<em> sa mga bagay po na</em> I know <em>hindi ako masyadong magaling, </em>like with dancing, <em>doon ako nakatutok,</em>” she explained.</p><p>Confidence, she admitted, is another area she’s working on.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759382704995Metro.Style Alexa Ilacad Your Face Sounds Familiar 5.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @starmagicphils</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>“I feel like I also lack confidence. So <em>‘yun din ‘yung tina-try kong pag-aralan. </em>So, I’ve been taking lessons. Prior to joining this, <em>sabi ko</em> I’m gonna start taking lessons for <em>ASAP</em> <em>din.</em> So <em>‘yun, </em>I’m taking lessons, trying to improve in all aspects <em>na talaga</em>,” she added.</p><p>And as for the criticism that sparked this renewed drive, Alexa said she chooses to see it as motivation.</p><p>“I took it as constructive. More on constructive <em>na</em>, <em>‘Sige, papakita ko sa’yo na. </em>Deserve<em> ko ‘to</em>,’” she concluded.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPQ5RnDD_cK/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A378486%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="566" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p><em>Your Face Sounds Familiar</em> premieres on October 4, 2025, and will air every weekend. Alexa will be joined by a powerhouse lineup of celebrity contestants, including “The Comedy Bombshell” <strong>Rufa Mae Quinto</strong>, “The Ace Idol” BGYO’s <strong>Akira Morishita</strong>, “The Singing Reina” Reina Hispanoamericana 2025 <strong>Dia Mate</strong>, “The Prince of Soul”<strong> Jason Dy</strong>, “The Theater Rak-Star” <strong>Pepe Herrera</strong>, “The Breakout Crooner” <strong>Jarlo Base</strong>, and “The Birit Duo” <strong>JM dela Cerna </strong>and <strong>Marielle Montellano.</strong></p><div><br/></div><p>Lead photos from <strong>@starmagicphils</strong></p>

<p>During the media conference for "Your Face Sounds Familiar," Alexa Ilacad opened up about the pressure that comes with being dubbed the "Gen Z Total Performer." </p>

During the media conference for "Your Face Sounds Familiar," Alexa Ilacad opened up about the pressure that comes with being dubbed the "Gen Z Total Performer."