Kapuso actress Ashley Ortega has opened up about a dark chapter in her life—one she once kept behind closed doors but now shares with honesty and strength.
In a heartfelt conversation on the vlog of entrepreneur Anna Magkawas, Ashley revealed that she went through a phase of alcohol dependence, a coping mechanism triggered by personal and professional struggles. For a time, the actress said she would sneak out to buy bottles of liquor, which she would then hide in her bedroom cabinet. But her secret didn’t stay hidden for long.
“My mom caught me,” Ashley recalled. “She was furious. She told me, ‘Are you trying to destroy your life?’”
At the time, Ashley was battling feelings of insecurity and disappointment in her career. Despite consistently being cast in roles, she couldn’t help but notice that others in her batch were landing lead parts while she remained in the background.
“I was aware of what I was doing, but alcohol became my escape,” she admitted. “It was my way of disconnecting from a reality that felt disappointing. I just wanted to shut everything out.”
She confessed that the comparisons and the pressure to succeed began to chip away at her confidence. The stress pushed her into a cycle of self-doubt and emotional withdrawal.
But the turning point came sooner than expected. Ashley said her brush with alcoholism lasted only about two months, thanks to a growing spiritual connection and her decision to start praying daily.
“That’s when my life started to change,” she said. “I became closer to God. I found comfort and strength in prayer, and little by little, I found my way out of that dark space.”
Ashley now looks back on that version of herself with compassion and pride.
“I’m proud of Ashley from seven years ago,” she said. “She went through a lot, but she made it through.”
Today, the actress continues to enjoy life with a healthy balance—still able to enjoy the occasional drink, but now with full control and clarity.
Her breakthrough role as a nun who was assaulted in the GMA primetime drama “Pulang Araw” earned her praise and recognition for her depth and performance, a far cry from the days when she questioned her worth in the industry. The role, alongside stars Alden Richards, Dennis Trillo, Sanya Lopez, and Barbie Forteza, marked a turning point in her career.
Ashley Ortega’s story is a powerful reminder that even those who shine in the spotlight carry burdens unseen. But with faith, self-awareness, and support, healing—and hope—is always possible.