Kyle Echarri Doesn’t Care
He has always been quite the spontaneous and carefree sort. However, a few life-changing events have given Kyle’s pursuit of happiness new meaning
Finding his voice
To say that Kyle Echarri was in his element during his cover shoot is an understatement. Nature wasn’t just his backdrop; it served as Kyle’s playground, a space where he could be himself. By that, we mean: Kyle, basking under the sun, running across vast rice fields, and diving into mud and dirt without a damn care in the world.
It’s not surprising that the 21-year-old singer and actor would behave like this. After all, he’s the same guy who took a dip in a river that he spotted from the road while biking across the United States. If you check his social media accounts, you’ll see that he’s always out and about in the great outdoors.
However, it’s refreshing to see Kyle enjoying nature the way he does. After all, he’s still a celebrity—one of the Philippines’ most prominent rising stars at that. Perhaps that’s part of Kyle’s charm: seeing someone of his stature this spontaneous and easygoing. And if you look up Kyle’s first television appearance, you’ll see that this devil-may-care energy was already there. It was just buried under some nerves.
Kyle was just eleven when he auditioned for a reality singing competition in 2015. He caught the attention of two judges with his earnest rendition of One Direction’s ‘Night Changes.’ Noticing that Kyle was a bit tense during his performance, one of the judges asked about the young singer’s favorite sport—football—and consequently brought a ball on stage. Kyle’s face lit up, and he started playing with the judge.
Breaking boundaries
His confidence has grown since then. From making it to the top six of the competition, Kyle’s become a six-foot stunner with a more mature voice. He’s gained accolades for his work in film, TV, and theater. He’s been hot on social media too, where his antics are on full display. He’s trended for sporting crop tops, and he recently made more buzz when a global makeup brand announced him as their new endorser. And amidst all this, Kyle doesn’t really care what you think.
“I did that to push the envelope that makeup’s for everyone, honestly. One big goal I have this year is to show that you can do whatever you want,” he says.
It’s the same thought process he had with the crop top. “One time in the studio, my stylist sent me clothes to wear [on stage]. I saw three options, and one of them was a crop top. I thought, ‘Is this real? Am I really going to wear a crop top?’ so I messaged him, and he replied: ‘You can do it!’ I said okay, and I enjoyed it,” Kyle shared. “Now, sometimes I’ll even cut a shirt and make it a crop top. It’s so hot in the Philippines, why don’t we all wear crop tops?”
It’s no surprise then that Kyle’s embracing a genderless approach to fashion. “You can see me shopping in the women’s section. I don’t really care. It’s just whatever you’re comfortable with. Whatever you want to wear, that’s what you do. That’s why I put on the crop top and just rocked it. And people liked it, I guess.”
However, there’s a “deeper” dimension to his spontaneous nature. Young as he is, Kyle’s embraced a mature yet carefree approach to life, shaped by challenges both professional and personal. And a recent trip to the United States with his father demonstrates this.
Read the full cover story in the pages of VMAN SEA 01: now available for purchase!
Photography Mark Nicdao
Creative direction Vince Uy
Grooming Ryan Ko and Cats Del Rosario
Models Franz Garcia, Craig Uy (New Monarq), and Moss Laygo (Mercator)
Fashion Ryuji Shiomitsu
Art direction Mike Miguel
Sittings editor Patrick Ty
Retouching PJ Calingasan
Production Jones Palteng
Photography assistants Cris Soco, Arsan Hofileña, James Bautista, and Phil Nicdao
Fashion assistants Ar Valdez and Nichole Anne Pura
On location The Cabin Resorts
Special thanks Mac Merla and Ginno Cruz
