It's not hard to see why Bianca Umali is widely perceived to be one of the brightest rising stars of her generation. The budding leading lady has been consistently proving her acting prowess since she first joined the local entertainment industry at only nine years old. On top of that, she's also an up-and-coming fashion maven who isn't afraid to experiment with androgynous looks and avant-garde trends.
Bianca's gender-defying taste in fashion is thanks in part to her long-time stylist John Paul Dizon. Now that the two have been officially working with each other for almost a decade, it's safe to conclude that they're simply a match made in fashion heaven. In fact, they're so comfortable with each other that they're practically considered family at this point!
Read more about their relationship below as John Paul spills the beans on what Bianca's actually like away from all the cameras.
Preview Exclusive: John Paul Dizon on Being Bianca Umali's Stylist
Please describe the first time you and Bianca met.
"The first time I met Bianca was at a media conference for her primetime show, Once Upon a Kiss. She was a super quiet girl, only 14 years old, I think. She did her own makeup and hair as she didn't have a makeup and hair stylist yet. I couldn't share much since she didn't talk to me that day. Haha! I only asked her if she was comfortable with the outfit. The rest is history."
How did you end up working together? How long have you been working together since?
"I am friends with some people from GMA Artist Center (now Sparkle), and I often ask them to assign me a female celebrity. At that time, I was specifically requesting a certain one, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise when they assigned me Bianca. Since that moment, Bianca and I became inseparable."
How would you describe Bianca as a client? What input does Bianca give when it comes to creating her looks?
"As a client, Bianca is super chill. She trusts me and knows I'll do my best to make her look good and stand out. Maybe that's the secret in our relationship as muse and stylist. Her trust in me is unparalleled. She's very collaborative, especially since discovering her own style. She believes in my vision, and I explain everything to her. Her appreciation for my work is what matters most to me."
How has working with Bianca impacted your career as a stylist? How did working with her affect how you design and view fashion?
"Bianca made a significant impact on my career as a stylist. We grew and built our confidence together. I'm the kind of stylist who is cool about it—I don't mind if I'm not recognized or credited. What matters to me is knowing I gave my best to bring the vision to life. If you like it, great; if not, perhaps it's not your style. I genuinely believe Bianca is a dream muse for any stylist."
As her stylist, what can you say about her personal style/aesthetic? How would you describe it? What makes it unique?
"Bianca's style is wonderfully unpredictable; she often surprises me, and I love it. I might have had a slight influence on her personal style. Even before she found her distinctive style, I always had her wear boys' clothes because, to me, that truly represents her—not the girly girl kind. I knew from the start that she's a character."
Has your personal relationship developed since you first met? How would you describe Bianca as a friend?
"More than just my main muse, Bianca is like family to me—chosen family. We've been working together for almost nine years, and beyond work, we genuinely enjoy each other's company. When we're both free, we often meet for coffee or dine out. We can talk for hours, mostly just laughing out loud. We text each other almost every day and even video call; we're each other's confidante."
What’s your most unforgettable moment working with Bianca?
"So far, my most unforgettable experience working with Bianca was on the project The Write One. We saw each other almost every day for taping, and in between, we had promos and more. The highlight, of course, was when we filmed in Paris! Originally, I wasn't supposed to be in the entourage, but Bianca insisted, justifying why I had to be there. It turned out to be our first trip abroad together, and it had to be Paris! We discovered that we're not only happy working together but also compatible travel buddies. It was the best work and travel experience yet. Looking forward to more!"
What’s something interesting about Bianca that her fans don’t know?
"Everything about Bianca is intriguing; she has substance. Behind the scenes, she's an extraordinary ordinary girl, if that makes sense! She finds joy in simple things—she even installed the CCTV herself! She loves tambay moments, very chill."
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