CinemaBravo

“I’m not for fame,” newcomer Jess Martinez said with quiet certainty at her first solo press conference—an intimate sit-down with select members of the entertainment press, including CinemaBravo, just in time for her primetime debut.

She didn’t deliver the line with attitude or defiance—just calm honesty and disarming transparency. There’s something about her that immediately reads as genuine. She’s easy on the eyes, yes, but more than that, she gives off a quiet charm that makes you think: she’s effortlessly likable.

“Yung gusto ko sa showbiz, I get to express my emotions,” she shared. “Yung acting po yung gusto ko doon, yung naipapakita ko yung iba’t ibang personality ko.” (What I really love is the acting—being able to show different sides of myself.)

That’s the driving force behind her shift from digital creator to actress. While many are drawn to the glitz, Jess is focused on craft—on the growth that comes from stepping into different roles and pushing herself beyond her comfort zone.

“What I love about being in showbiz is iba’t ibang character siya, so mas nahahasa ako as a person.” (I get to play different characters, which helps me grow as a person.)

From online routine to on-camera challenge

Jess first gained attention as a fashion and lifestyle content creator on TikTok. Her videos were a mix of stylish looks, day-in-the-life glimpses, and personal storytelling.

“Through that platform I get to express who I really am, how I dress up, and a little bit glimpse about how my family is.”

But the routine started to feel, well, too routine. “Parang eto nang eto yung ginagawa ko.” (It felt like I was doing the same thing over and over.)

Acting, by contrast, gave her space to stretch—to take on new characters and evolve in ways that social media couldn’t offer.

This shift in direction led her to Artist Circle, the talent management agency she now calls home.

“Yung napa-feel po kasi ng Artist Circle sa ‘kin is family,” she continued. “They accepted me for who I am na social media influencer and the Jess Martinez na as a person… And I’m so happy and grateful na I chose Artist Circle because… nagiging better ako as person, and not just as an actress.”

(What Artist Circle made me feel was a sense of family. They accepted me as a social media influencer and as Jess Martinez the person… I’m really happy and grateful I chose Artist Circle because I’m becoming a better person—not just a better actress.)

Self-made with screen dream

Unlike many in the industry, Jess didn’t come from a showbiz family.

“Wala pong nasa industry na family ko. They’re all in the business industry, so it really was my own decision to enter the showbiz industry,” she revealed.

(No one in my family is in the industry. They’re all in business, so entering showbiz was entirely my own decision.)

The dream started early at home: “Meron kaming TV sa house, and nanonood kami ng mga teleserye like Mari Mar… sabi ko, I want to become a star one day. I want to be seen on television and to express my emotions and my craft as well.”

(We had a TV at home and watched teleseryes like Mari Mar… and I said to myself, I want to become a star one day. I want to be seen on television and to express my emotions and my craft.)

Her idols reflect that mix of depth and style: from Marian to Heart to Ivana.

“I really, really look up to Ms. Marian, kasi she’s really a great actress. And [aside from] her po, I really love Ms. Heart Evangelista rin because of how she dresses up and shows herself.”

She also names Kapamilya star Ivana Alawi as her biggest influence in the social media space.

All eyes on the work: from ‘Abot-Kamay na Pangarap’ to ‘Sanggang-Dikit FR’

While many young stars struggle with online backlash, Jess keeps her digital space drama-free. She notices that she usually receives good feedback from her audience. But when does negativity show up? “I don’t tolerate negativity talaga!” she remarked. (I really don’t tolerate negativity!)

On set, she found senior actors far from intimidating. “[Akala ko dati] mahirap po katrabaho yung mga senior star—hindi naman po pala siya totoo,” she admitted.

(I used to think senior stars were difficult to work with—but that’s not true.)

“Mas masaya po makatrabaho yung mga senior star kasi mas marami kang matututunan sa kanila.” (It’s more enjoyable working with them because you learn so much.)

She took to heart the advice given by co-stars Joross Gamboa and Allen Dizon: portray your character well and be a good person—not just to your co-artists and the crew, but to your fans, too.

From her first appearance in the hit afternoon medical drama series Abot-Kamay na Pangarap to landing a role in Dennis Trillo-Jennylyn Mercado-starrer Sanggang-Dikit FR, Jess Martinez is steadily earning her place in the industry. She’s not rushing. She’s building.

Catch her as Policewoman Josie Bautista starting June 23, weeknights at 8:50 PM on GMA Prime. Jess Martinez is just beginning to shape her craft—so keep an eye out. The journey’s only starting, and it’ll be worth watching how she chases her dreams from here.