KOMI x GAFFER: Bretman Rock talks dream collabs and taking risks

If you weren't a singer, songwriter, actress, actor, athlete, activist, scientist on the motherfucking side, author, podcast host, Leo and cover star, what would you be? 

Gosh, I do so much already. Honestly, I feel like I would be a vet or like somebody that just picks out plants for houses, like a, like what is it called? Like an architectural... just somebody that picks out plants for places, honestly. 

What’s one thing you wish your fans knew about you? 

I wish that they would know that I'm a little bit more chilled than how I present myself online. I feel like people always think I'm, like, high up in energy. 

Other than creating content, what is your favourite thing about your career? 

It would have to be the people that I meet. Honestly, I'm low-key a people person. I don't like to admit that, but I just love the people that I get to meet. Not just like my followers and fans, but just like even today, the people I met today are going to be my friends for the rest of my life. 

Who is your dream collaboration? 

Bretman X The Rock, because I was named after him. I would also put the two people I was named after: Brett the Hitman Heart and The Rock.  Just so I could tell them like, y'all, I was named after you. My dad thought I was gonna be a wrestler, but here I am, a makeup artist. I just would like to see the reaction. I also feel like I have a really cool name. I feel like I was made for wrestling, but no, it's like a Beyoncé. Like, who the hell is named Beyoncé? Who the hell else is named Bretman Rock? Just me. Also, that's a lie because, tell me why my auntie gave birth to a son and named him Bretman Rock. 

What’s been the proudest moment of your career so far? 

When I went home for my book press tour and just saw how many Filipinos showed up at the mall. Girl, I really felt like Beyoncé. But also, at some point, I really forgot I was Filipino 'cause I was like, how do y'all know me here? But yeah, just seeing how many people that look like me supported me is one thing. Because I think a lot of my career was spent in America, and when I did a little homecoming, I was like, Damn, my people really root for me. 

What’s one thing you would like to achieve that you haven’t yet? 

One thing that I would love to achieve that I haven't achieved yet, I would love to attend the Met Gala, honestly. I would love to eat them up. Period. I'm saying, Anna, hit me up. You know my number, girl? I did a Vogue Philippine cover. I feel like I'm valid. I would love to wear like a small Asian designer, hopefully like a Peter Doe number or a Robert Wan number. You know, just shooting for the stars here, but like just another Asian designer I would love. 

If you could tell your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? 

I would say only listen to people's advice that you want to be. Stop listening to losers because they're losers for a reason. So only listen to successful people, I would say. 

If you could invite 3 people dead or alive to a dinner party, who would they be? 

I would bring Marilyn Monroe, of course, that's my girl. Michelle Obama, and I would say Bob Marley. But if Mother Mary is real, I would kick Bob Marley out and invite Mother Mary, because it has to be an all-girls table.