‘You are the representation you need,’ social media superstar Bretman Rock tells discriminated fans

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 4) — International social media sensation Bretman Rock inspired his fans, who also experience discrimination in their lives, to keep being themselves as he pointed out that they are the representation they are looking for.

“Sometimes you are the representation that you need. There’s truly no more representation that matters than yourself,” the global influencer said in an interview with CNN Philippines.

“The bigger picture now that I’m looking at baby Bretman Rock, I was like – ‘You were looking for representation but so many people were looking at you as a representation,’” he added.

Promoting his newly published memoir sold in bookstores nationwide, Bretman shared his key experiences while rising to stardom as a representative of the LGBTQIA+ and Filipino communities.

Bretman, who grew up in the Philippines as Bretman Sacayanan, was born in Cagayan Valley. He, later on, moved with family members to Hawaii where he earned US citizenship by naturalization.

“Moving to the states as a non-binary person, it’s really interesting," he shared. "It was so weird to see gender roles happening in real-time when I moved to America at such a young age.”

Facing a lot of discrimination, Bretman said he did his best not to conform to the standards of those around him, proudly saying, “I did kind of make it my mission to not conform to it -- and I think I did a pretty good job.”

Bretman encouraged other discriminated LGBTQIA+ fans to continue being themselves.

“Keep being unapologetically ‘bakla.’ I feel like the world is watching — you never know who is watching," he also said. "I believe we are all meant to be a star."

After his success in publishing “You're That B*tch: & Other Cute Lessons About Being Unapologetically Yourself,” the social media superstar said he is setting his sights on the movie industry next.