Trigger warning: This article includes discussion of self-harm, depression and mental health struggles.
From auditioning in reality shows to headlining a sold-out solo concert, Wilbert Ross reflected on the challenges, heartbreaks, and personal battles that shaped his journey in the entertainment industry.
In an interview on The STAR’s “Real Talk” podcast with entertainment editor Nathalie Tomada, the singer-actor opened up about the years of rejection he endured before finding success, as well as his struggles with mental health and the lessons he hopes others can learn from his story.
Ross recently celebrated a major career milestone after tickets to his first solo concert, “WRten By,” sold out in just 15 minutes. While grateful for the overwhelming support, he admitted the achievement also brought immense pressure.
“It’s a pressure for me na talagang galingan, gandahan ‘yung prod,” Ross said, adding that he has remained hands-on in planning every aspect of the concert through regular meetings with the production team.
The singer also revealed that he became emotional after the concert sold out, even posting a video of his reaction on his private TikTok account.
“May video pa nga ako doon na parang, ‘I don’t know, walang may gusto ng ano, hindi na ako nakakaano sa music’, may mga ganun. So parang more on doon ako nag-ve-vent out sa account na ‘yon. And then in-upload ko lang ‘yan suddenly. It’s just a surge of emotions at the moment,” he said.
Ross explained that he had never been certain whether his online popularity would translate into actual ticket sales, especially amid difficult economic conditions.
“I didn’t expect it,” he shared. “Sabi ko nga sa sarili ko, okay na ako kahit gaano katagal basta ma-sold out lang siya. Hindi ko kasi ma-measure kung ilan ‘yung willing gumastos para sa concert ko. Likes and views on social media doesn’t mean magre-reflect siya when it comes to ticket selling, na may pera nang kasama. Lalo pa ngayon na medyo mahirap ang buhay.”
Ross said his private “dump” account has become a personal journal where he documents both his struggles and victories. He enjoys looking back at older posts about feeling discouraged over his music career and comparing them to recent milestones, saying it allows him to see the progress and story behind his journey.
“Gusto ko siyang binabalikan. Yung parang may pinost ako para mababalikan ko siya in the future. Kunwari may pinost ako doon ilang years ago na, ta’s parang sabi ko, ‘’Di ko alam bakit parang hirap sa’kin makilala nung music ko’, and from that video, merong another video na about sa concert ko. So parang may progress, may storyang nagagawa. Kaya ko siya nilalabas doon,” he reflected on looking back through his personal video.
Long before becoming a familiar face in showbiz, Ross said he had always dreamed of entering the entertainment industry.
Growing up in Davao, he recalled watching children’s television programs such as “Goin’ Bulilit” and aspiring to become a housemate on “Pinoy Big Brother” (PBB).
“Sabi ko nung bata pa lang ako, gusto kong maging artista. Pinangarap ko na siya ever since,” he recalled.
As he grew older, Wilbert gradually realized that show business was the biggest platform for someone who wanted to entertain and perform. At the time, he was studying Computer Engineering and stopped during his third year in college to pursue his dream full-time.
Coming from the province with no connections in Manila, he said reality talent competitions became his only opportunity to break into the industry.
“Dati kasi walang social media, hindi ganun kalakas. Parang the only chance a probinsyano na walang kahit anong kapamilya sa Manila, na walang connection sa Manila at wala ding sapat na pera para gumastos at mag-invest sa Manila, is to audition sa mga reality show. ‘Yun lang talaga yung chance. No other chance,” he said.
Ross revealed that he auditioned for “Pinoy Big Brother” four times before finally making it to the shortlist during the Davao auditions.
He later competed in “It’s Showtime”‘s “Tawag ng Tanghalan,” marking his first television appearance, but failed to advance. Still fueled by determination, he joined “Pinoy Boyband Superstar”, only to face another heartbreaking loss.
“Grabe, umiyak ako doon,” he admitted. “Sa isang taon, dalawang beses akong natalo sa TV. May mga teachers, may mga students na nagda-doubt na sa akin, na parang sali daw ako ng sali, natatalo naman.”
The repeated defeats eventually led him to leave school after people encouraged him to pursue more auditions in Manila. Armed with little more than his dreams and a weekly allowance of P1,500, Ross flew to the capital and stayed with a cousin in Novaliches who worked in construction.
“Lumipad sa Manila with my dreams and hopes. And then with my 1,500 a week allowance, he shared, adding that he often walked from Quezon Avenue to the ABS-CBN compound instead of paying for transportation.
He also recalled feeling devastated when several people who had promised to help him enter the industry eventually stopped responding.
“Parang wala nang nangyayari sa’kin. ;Yung mga nag-promise sa’kin, hindi na maka-contact. Parang alam mo ‘yun, akala ko tutulungan ako,” he lamented.
Wilbert’s fortune later met a fateful change after he auditioned for the all-male dance group “Hashtags” on “It’s Showtime”. He described the experience as one of fate, recalling that despite never receiving confirmation from the production staff, he unexpectedly advanced through multiple rounds before eventually becoming an official member.
“[…] Isa sa mga fate stories ko,” he described one of his early milestones. “Meant to be.”
Beyond career struggles, Ross also candidly spoke about one of the darkest chapters of his life, revealing that he was clinically diagnosed with severe depression in 2019 while living alone in Manila.
“That was like my lowest,” he said. “I’m clinically diagnosed with severe depression.”
Ross admitted that the condition affected not only his emotional well-being but also his relationships with loved ones, recalling becoming emotionally unstable and even raising his voice at his mother during phone calls.
“Feel ko ang sama kong tao that time. Kasi unstable ako because of depression. Sobrang severe. Malala talaga. I’m really unstable that time,” he added.
“Hindi ako proud na pinagdaanan ko ‘yun and I hope hindi ko siya, like, pwedeng balikan. Hindi ko na siya mapagdaanan kasi hindi yun about sa akin eh. ‘Yung pinakaayaw ko ‘yung […] what I’ve become because of that depression. Madami akong mga taong nasaktan, apektuhan.”
He said the hardest part was seeing himself become someone he knew he wasn’t, “I know in myself na I have this core na ugali ko. Alam ko na super far from that.”
Ross also revealed the deeply personal story behind the tattoo on his wrist.
He shared that he decided to have it inked after repeatedly harming himself during his battle with depression, believing the tattoo would serve as a permanent reminder not to inflict further injuries.
“Hangga’t walang tattoo dito, mate-tempt ako,” he recalled thinking at the time. “So pinatattoo ko siya para [i-remind] sa sarili ko na alangan sirain ko ‘yung tattoo ko, ang pangit naman.”
The painful experience later inspired him to write the song “Benteng Ukit,” released in 2023 as part of his album “Lampara.” The title refers to “twenty carves”.
Ross encouraged those facing similar mental health challenges to give themselves time to recover without giving up on their dreams.
“You just need to rest and then go again,” he said. “If you really want something, you don’t stop. You just rest.”
“Even if sobrang sama sa’yo ng mundo at sobrang sama ng mga tao sa paligid mo, you just cry it out. After mong umiyak, pawi luha, then go again. You just need to keep on trying.”
Following the success of his concert, Ross continues to expand his career with several upcoming projects, including the Viva One series “LOVE U LOTS” and upcoming Philippine adaptation of the Thai horror-romance hit “Pee Mak” where he will star opposite Bea Binene.
He is also set to appear at the Hotdog Tribute Concert on August 8, the “VIVA All Stars Game” on August 16.
For anyone struggling mentally and needs help or someone to talk to, the National Center for Mental Health may be contacted through the following hotlines: 1553 (Nationwide landline), 1800-1888-1553/0919-057-1553 (Smart/TNT), 0917-899-8727 (Globe/TM).
