Lyca Gairanod juggles singing, acting as she breaks away from kid singing champion image

While still best remembered as the first “The Voice Kids PH” champion, Lyca Gairanod has made significant steps in redefining her career.

The 18-year-old singer is serious about making the most of her new journey—one that started when she joined Viva’s pool of artists in 2020—and recently added a horror movie project in her growing acting resume.

In the Roni Benaid-helmed “Mary Cherry Chua,” Gairanod portrays the role of Faith, the best friend of the film’s protagonist played by Ashley Diaz.

The plot is inspired by an urban legend about an intelligent, well-loved student at an all-girls school whose life met its tragic end in the hands of the school’s former employee. The late student’s spirit is said to be still lingering in the area where her body was found and where a “concrete bench” was built in her memory.

Speaking with “Headstart” host Karen Davila earlier this month, the vlogger shared that she wanted to test her acting skills while portraying any type of character.

“Ako po kasi, gusto ko talagang mag-explore. Gusto kong malaman kung alin ‘yung kakayanan ko [sa pag-arte,] kahit saang character (I really want to explore. I want to know my capacity in acting, whatever character it is),” shared Gairanod, adding that she had a great time doing the horror flick.

“[D]ito…sa horror movie, super talagang nag-enjoy po ako dito kahit na matatakutin akong tao at magugulatin akong tao (I really enjoyed being part of this horror movie, although I easily get scared and rattled),” she said.

The Cavite native also revealed that she wants to be known not just for her singing and her stint on “The Voice Kids PH.”

“Gusto ko rin maging actress, para naman [masabi nila na] ‘Ah, ‘The Voice [Kids PH]’ [champion] ‘yan. Singer na ‘yan, actress pa ‘yan (I also want to be an actress so that they can say, “Ah, she’s a ‘The Voice Kids PH’ champion. She’s a singer and also an actress”),” expressed Gairanod.

She mentioned how good it must feel to be recognized as both a singer and an actress, adding that it’s the reason she’s taking on projects like “Mary Cherry Chua.”

The young singer, who released her debut album at 10, is back in Canada to serve as guest for Arthur Nery’s concert tour. Gairanod had previously joined the “Pagsamo” hitmaker when he flew last March for shows also in the Great White North.

She is also set to join Nery when he performs in the United States later this month.

On her Instagram Stories, Gairanod shared snaps after arriving in Canada. To one Story, the reality singing competition product uploaded photos from Calgary.

Screenshot of Lyca Gairanod’s Instagram Story

During a virtual press conference in 2020—after she joined Viva—the “Puede Nang Mangarap” singer acknowledged the changes in her voice, but said the “Lyca quality” was still there, alluding to the natural husky quality of her voice.

Aside from exploring other genres, it’s apparent that Gairanod’s musicality has also evolved, as she is able to put her own twist to songs. She, however, has maintained her heartfelt singing—the ability to connect to her listeners—as heard in her more recent releases such as “Malapit na Akong Mahulog sa Iyo” and “Akala Ko Ba.”

Prior to tackling her first horror film, Gairanod starred alongside former child stars Marco Masa and Raikko Mateo in the Joven Tan feature “Tatlong Bibe.” Last year, she acted in the Kapatid sitcom “Kalye Kweens,” which was topbilled by veteran actresses Alma Moreno and Dina Bonnevie.  /ra

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