Dolly de Leon says she almost quit acting before ‘Triangle of Sadness’

De Leon had previously spoken about considering quitting several times. In an interview with Tatler Asia, she said the thought crossed her mind for the third time in 2018, after growing tired of being offered the same “nameless and always in the background” roles.

“I look at this long-haired hopeful and remember what she went through seven years ago and think to myself—it was all worth it,” she now wrote. “All the rejections, the heartache, the let downs, mistakes, disappointments, bad choices, failures—they all happened for a reason.”

For her performance in “Triangle of Sadness,” de Leon became the first Filipino actor nominated for both a Golden Globe and a BAFTA acting award. She also won the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Performance.

She ended her post with a message for anyone chasing a dream or navigating a difficult time: “Whatever it is you’re going through, whatever it is you’re pursuing, keep at it. IT GETS BETTER. I promise.”

The reflection resonated with fellow artists, many of whom said the post came at the right time. Actors Khalil Ramos and Rocco Nacino said they “needed this,” while Gab Pangilinan said she was “inspired” and “so in awe.”

Director Antoinette Jadaone reacted with an emotional “GRABE!!!!! ”, to which de Leon replied, “Kasama ka rin do’n sa mga tumulong sa ‘kin ”

De Leon is set to continue her international film and television career with roles for Apple TV+’s “Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed,” Netflix’s “Avatar: The Last Airbender” Seasons 2 and 3, and DreamWorks Animation’s “Forgotten Island.”

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