Why Daniela Stranner enjoys playing mean girl

MANILA, Philippines — Daniela Stranner admitted feeling pressure when she essayed the role of Z in ABS-CBN’s teen drama series “Senior High.” But she enjoyed playing the show’s resident mean girl as she got to display different kinds of emotions through her character.

“I was actually surprised kasi wala lang, I was just doing my job and stuff like that. Yun pala maganda na pala yung nalalabas ko. People are inspired sa akin like that, so natutuwa po ako. And it’s kind of (being) pressured but it’s a good kind of pressure,” said Daniela in a mediacon for Star Magic.

While noting that a protagonist role can be “more comfortable” and “predictable,” she prefers to do an antagonist role because it challenges her more.

But what she likes most about playing kontrabida is that she gets to explore her emotional range like what she did in “Senior High.”

She told The STAR, “Nakapag-explore ako na baliw ako. Nakapag-explore ako na nagwawala, na galit ako, na to the point yung pinaka galit-galit ko (I got to explore being crazy. I got to explore going wild, being angry, reaching the height of my anger).”

“So, maybe it’s exploring different kinds of things because being a kontrabida, it’s like the worst eh. And once you’ve experienced the worst, you can do a lot of things. So, that’s what I enjoyed the most about it.”

Meanwhile, the Filipino-German rising star has been likened by some as the young Claudine Barretto because of her looks and acting performance.

“I’m flattered po, honestly,” Daniela said in reaction to the comparisons to Claudine. “I’ve been reading comments like that as well and I haven’t watched any of her movies yet but I saw some clips on TikTok, sa mga shows niya and stuff like that. And I heard that she was one of the popular actors in her days and one of prettiest so I’m really flattered to be compared to her.”

The Kapamilya actress also remarked that she doesn’t want to be in a love team just yet. She explained, “Honestly, I don’t wanna be stuck to one person because I like to explore more. I wanna be the type of actress who can work with anyone because you will learn a lot from every actor you work with. So I wanna try muna ng iba and maybe in the future, when I’m satisfied already, (I will). But right now, I wanna explore more.”

The 21-year-old likewise doesn’t mind accepting daring roles. “Whatever it is that will be offered, if it’s a good story and a good character, I’m open to it,” she said.

Daniela was discovered by a talent scout in a mall in 2017. She was launched in 2018 as part of the Star Magic Circle in 2018 and later on as part of Rise Artist Studios.

She appeared in Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano-led series “Make It With You” and was paired with Anthony Jennings in the 2021 film “Love At First Stream.”

The newbie thespian shared that joining showbiz was, initially, never part of her plan.

“I was spotted walking in the mall by a Star Magic (talent) scout,” she recalled of how she got into show business. “At first I didn’t believe (that person), honestly. I didn’t believe na taga-Star Magic siya or taga-ABS-CBN siya because I never experienced anyone talking to me like that.”

“I was just a normal athlete-student doing my own thing. I’ve never done anything except school and then a month later, I was invited to go here to do a VTR audition.”

During the audition, she got to meet Johnny Manahan (Mr. M, former head of ABS-CBN Star Magic) in his office. “We were like 30-plus (auditionees) I think. After that, they told me to stay. Pinauwi na yung iba.”

She was lucky enough to be given a two-year contract in her first audition. “I took it (opportunity) because it was out of the blue and parang sabi sa akin ni Tita Monch (head of recruitment), I remember that day, it’s like it’s rare for an artista to experience this kind of thing na parang sobrang, it’s weird na ganun. And then I attended workshops after that.”

Daniela was part of her school’s football team. She took a break from her schooling because she hasn’t decided yet on what course to take up in college. “ I don’t know what I want yet… I’m done with high school already. College na lang po. And it’s just waiting there.

“But I still want to go back, like, I really wanna go back. Of course, we always need a plan B no matter what happens. But right now, I’m just taking my time especially right now tuloy-tuloy po yung projects.”