Ryzza Mae reflects on the challenges she overcame in 14 years of showbiz

From a six-year-old girl lining up for auditions to becoming one of the country’s most recognizable child stars, Ryzza Mae Dizon looks back on a journey that was both challenging and life-changing.

In an interview on “Toni Talks", she recalls how her love for television— and especially “Eat Bulaga”— sparked her dream of becoming a celebrity. She would watch TV from a neighbor’s house and quietly imagine herself on screen. 

When she saw an audition for “Little Miss Philippines", she immediately told her mother, “Ma, sali tayo,” hoping it would be her chance. They traveled early to Bulacan, even borrowing money just to pay for the commute. She was only six years old then.

The audition was overwhelming. Held at a grocery store, it drew hundreds of children who waited in long lines all day. Despite being hungry and exhausted, Ryzza Mae was determined. She remembers performing “Super Bass,” dancing confidently in a tube top and miniskirt, wearing shades, and even doing a split to stand out.

After that initial screening, she was called back for another audition at Broadway Centrum. Surrounded by children she described as “typical na maputi, cute, charming,” she felt different and even recalled thinking, “ako lang talaga iyong mukha kong dugyot.” Still, she pushed through and performed a poem for her audition piece.

She eventually made it to the level where they competed on the show itself. While she won in her first appearance, she lost  at the next level —a moment she described as heartbreaking.

“Sobrang lungkot ko po talaga noon,” she shared, admitting she thought her dream had ended. However, she was later invited back as a wildcard contestant. 

At first, her mother wanted her to stop. She insisted, “Gusto ko talaga na i-try. Baka swertehin po.” The decision paid off as she returned to the competition and advanced to the semifinals.

Just before the grand finals, she experienced both memorable and painful moments. She enjoyed bonding activities such as trips to Ocean Park and making new friends, but she also encountered hurtful remarks. One contestant told her, “We’re a princess, you’re a monster,” while another stepped on her shoes. Despite the bullying, she remained focused.

During the question-and-answer portion, she was asked what she would pray for. Her response reflected the hardships her family was facing.  “Gusto ko manalo nga sa Little Miss. Kasi para matulungan ko po iyong magulang ko. Wala nang work iyong papa ko. Umaasa kami sa maliit na tindahan po,” she said.

She thought that as her name being called  that it was for first runner-up. She assumed she had lost. It was only after seeing her family celebrating in the audience that reality sank in. “Doon pa lang nag-sink in sa akin na ako pala iyong winner,” she recalled.

After her win, she became a regular on 'Eat Bulaga!," appearing in the “One for All” segment. She would get her own segment and later her own program, "The Ryzza Mae Show." Despite her young age, she described the experience as enjoyable rather than stressful.

“Laro-laro lang” was how she described her time on set, thanks to the support of the staff and the friendships she built along the way. One of her most unforgettable memories was celebrating her birthday on the show.

“Iyon ‘yung first time na nakatanggap po ako ng cake. Tapos iyong cake na andami pa po. Tapos may fried chicken, may pancit, may spaghetti. Kaya sobra iyong iyak ko noon kasi hindi ko alam na mai-experience ko po iyon sa birthday ko,” Ryzza Mae shared.

As her career blossomed, her schedule became packed with commercials, shoots, and various side gigs. She described it as her “cha-cha era,” moving from one project to another in a single day. Despite the demanding workload, she never felt emotionally drained because she genuinely loved what she was doing.

However, fame also came with challenges. During her teenage years, she became more aware of social media and the harsh comments directed at her appearance and talent. 

“Bakit pinanalo ito, hindi naman maganda,” was one of the comments she remembered reading. Although the criticism hurt, she chose to use it as motivation to improve. She credited her support system for helping her stay grounded and focused on her growth.

Ryzza Mae also opened up about one of the most difficult periods in her career—the transition from GMA to TV5 alongside "Eat Bulaga!" and TVJ. She felt herself being gradually sidelined, appearing less frequently until she was limited to a single segment.

“May tini-train na po na ipapalit sa akin,” she revealed, recalling how she realized a replacement was already in place.

“Masakit talaga po kasi pinaghirapan ko ito. Tapos bigla-bigla na lang pong aalisin nang ganon-ganon lang,” she said. Despite the uncertainty, she expressed gratitude to TVJ for standing by her and giving her reassurance throughout the transition.

When the show eventually moved to TV5, she felt more secure. Being reunited with TVJ and working alongside familiar colleagues helped her regain confidence and feel protected.

Looking back, she reflects on how rare her path is for a child star. She credits her family for keeping her grounded.  Before entering show business, she recalls that she accidentally broke a neighbor’s vase. She was told, “Mas mahal pa iyon sa buhay mo.”

The remark left a lasting impact on her and motivated her to work harder so she would never feel powerless again. Years later, she achieved something deeply symbolic—she was able to buy that neighbor’s house. 

Among all her accomplishments, she says her proudest achievement remains helping her family. For Ryzza Mae, being able to lift her family out of hardship and give them a better life means more than any career milestone.

Still, she has personal goals too, including wanting to become a chef someday and continuing to improve in her craft. She also recently bought an “artista car” for herself.

At  20, Ryzza Mae hopes people see her not only as the bubbly child star they grew up watching, but as someone who has matured and continues to evolve. 

She wants audiences to recognize that she is no longer simply “bagets,” but a young woman who has grown, improved, and is still striving to become better at what she does.