MANILA, Philippines — Alden Richards became emotional as he opened up about his past relationships and struggles with self-love during the pilot episode of the revived “Gandang Gabi Vice” on Sunday, Sept. 13.
Richards appeared as the first guest of the returning talk show, which marked Vice Ganda’s return to television after the program’s original run ended in 2020.
Vice Ganda asked Richards how many times he had fallen in love during his showbiz career.
“Lima (five),” Richards said, adding that all five were “almost relationships.”
Richards chose not to identify the women involved out of respect for them. He said his most recent relationship ended after both parties decided they no longer wanted to pursue it.
The actor also acknowledged mistakes in his past relationships, including ghosting the first showbiz personality he pursued.
“Feeling ko, ‘yung love life sa akin medyo mailap siya for the past fifteen years na kasi sinusubukan kong hanapin,” he said.
Richards said he feels pressure from society’s expectations that he should have settled down at his age. He said he now plans to let love come naturally rather than actively search for it.
“Hindi ko sinasabing hindi ko hinihintay ‘yung taong darating para sa akin. Kasi for the longest time, hinahanap ko ‘yung para sa akin, so baka for a change, hintayin ko naman siya ngayon,” he said. “Seven billion [people in the world], imposibleng walang isa doon na para sa akin.”
Richards then broke down in tears as he reflected on how his lack of self-love may have contributed to his struggles in finding love.
“Siguro for the longest time, naghahanap ako ng pagmamahal from another person, na, na-realize ko pagmamahal pala sa sarili ‘yung kulang,” he said.
Vice Ganda comforted Richards, holding his hand and hugging him as he continued to cry for several minutes. The audience also became emotional during the moment.
Vice Ganda later said on X that she considered ending the interview after Richards broke down.
“That breakdown took almost 10 minutes. And parang ayaw ko ng ituloy yung interview kasi awang awa ako sa kanya. Grabe yung iyak nya. But he insisted to still continue. Haaaayyy!!! love you Alden!” she wrote.
Richards has been romantically linked at various points in his career with former on-screen partner Maine Mendoza, singer Julie Anne San Jose, Winwyn Marquez, Sam Pinto and Kathryn Bernardo.
