Drop-Dead Gorgeous: Dalia Varde's 18th Birthday Shoot

The “He’s Into Her” actress channels her character Kim’s feistiness in this fashion and beauty editorial

Metro.Style Team

October 28, 2021, 12:00 AM / UPDATED October 29, 2021, 12:48 PM

Contrary to her kikay, queen bee personality as Kim Gozon in the hit teen series He’s Into Her, Dalia Varde says she’s a “pretty simple girl.” She does enjoy dressing up with statement-making accents and getting dolled up once in a while, but she prefers to keep things cool, casual and chic.

Turning 18 inevitably comes with certain changes. This is why Dalia also wanted to change things up and try different looks (read: more fasyon, sexier and edgier) for her 18th birthday photo shoot. “I decided I should step out of my comfort zone and try some new things一like, more mature shots since I’m finally turning 18,” the actress and vlogger tells Metro.Style.

Dalia Varde's exclusive 18th birthday photo shoot on Metro.Style

On Dalia: Oversized coat by Pierre Cardin (@pierrecardintr)

Dalia’s 18th birthday photo shoot features a total of five layouts that have different moods and themes: romantic, sexy, girl boss, sporty luxe, and beauty muse. The shoot was a collaboration between Dalia, photographer Xander Angeles of Edge of Light Studios, and Metro.Style. Helping bring these concepts to life were makeup artist Muriel Vega-Perez, hairstylist Moriel Flores, and stylist Myrrh Lao To.

Today, October 28, is Dalia’s exact birthday, and she planned for a simple dinner with her family and friends to celebrate the occasion. She shares, “I’ve decided I just want dinner in my house and have my lola cook for me and maybe my tita, my titos, and my brother, of course. I just wish my parents were here, really.”

Dalia was born and raised in Kuwait, where her parents (an Egyptian dad and a Filipino mom) are currently based. “I would wanna go back or visit Kuwait again, because I would do that pretty often before the pandemic. My parents live there (no tears!). I’ll go back there and spend my 18th… I will spend every birthday there actually and I would never ever complain,” Dalia says.

On Dalia: Dress by IZIA (@iziaclothing)

Check out the gallery below to see the photos from Dalia Varde's 18th birthday shoot:

Since Dalia landed the role of Kim in He’s Into Her一a project she auditioned for thrice and which marked her acting debut一she’s been living quite independently in Manila with her younger brother and their grandmother. This experience prepared her for adulthood. She remarks in jest, “I think I can accept that I’m turning into an adult because it’s been burnt into my brain that I should be realistic with my decisions. I’m excited! I’m excited to pay the bills.”

Dalia just graduated from high school. For college, she wanted to take up either law or architecture, but decided it would be ideal for her to go for a business course instead. Aside from school, what’s going to keep Dalia busy soon is shooting for the second season of the widely popular He’s Into Her. Fans of the Donny Pangilinan-Belle Mariano starrer will see this gorgeous rising star reprise her role as the “Ultimate ‘It’ Girl.”

Asked about her similarity with Kim, she muses, “Kim is very, very protective of what she proudly calls hers, and I feel that I’m that way with my family. I’m very much that way with my younger brother because, oh my gosh, all these, I do all these for him.”