THE BITTER TRUTH BEHIND LYCA GAIRANOD’S SUCCESS

In 2014, a little girl from Cavite took the nation by storm— Lyca Gairanod , the voice that made millions of Filipinos stop watching. She came from a poor family, the daughter of a garbage dealer, and grew up on the streets, singing while collecting bottles and cans just to have something to eat. Her success on The Voice Kids was like a movie story—a “rags to riches” dream come true. But behind the applause and praise, there was something most people didn’t know: the harsh reality of showbiz and the sudden change in a child’s life.

After winning, everything changed for Lyca. Suddenly, she had a name, money, and the spotlight. But at the same time, her simple childhood was gone. While other kids were playing outside, she was practicing songs, taping, and facing the camera with a forced smile even though she was very tired. “I’m happy, but sometimes I just want to be normal again,” she once said in an interview.

The pressure from the industry hasn’t been easy either. Her every move is scrutinized, every mistake is discussed. From her clothing to her social media posts, the public’s eyes are always on her. There are times when she is criticized for changing her appearance or her way of speaking—as if she is not allowed to grow or change. “I don’t know what they want. When I’m shy, they say I’m a slut. When I’m cheerful, they say I’ve changed,” she once shared in a vlog.

But beyond the public pressure, Lyca’s personal struggle was even more difficult. After her rise to fame, her family faced problems—financial issues and disagreements. At one point, it was reported that she was the one supporting her parents, helping them get back on their feet while shouldering the burden of being the breadwinner. For a child who was not yet a full-fledged teenager, this was a huge burden.

There were nights when she cried alone, wondering where all this was going to take her. “I thought when you were famous, you would be happy. But sometimes, I just want to go back to the way things were — to our quiet life, even though it was hard,” Lyca said in an emotional radio interview. Those words brought tears to not only her fans, but also those who could relate to the weight she was carrying.

Despite everything, she didn’t give up. She chose to use her voice — not just to sing, but to inspire the youth. She began releasing songs about hope, recovery, and the truth of life. On her social media, she often shares messages of gratitude to those who continue to support her even when the spotlight is quiet. “I don’t need to be on TV all the time to feel loved by people,” she says.

But recently, a surprising post by Lyca sparked a discussion online. In her caption: “Sometimes, you have to get lost to find yourself again.” Many wondered — is she going through something? It turns out that she temporarily took a break from showbiz to focus on her studies and mental health. In an interview, she admitted that she went through severe anxiety and burnout. “Even though I want to make others happy, I can’t do it if I’m broken inside,” she said, crying.

Despite the trials, her light has shone again. In recent months, she has been seen returning to the stage — no longer as a child idol, but as a strong and true young woman. Her new songs are filled with emotion and wisdom that are rare at her age.

Now, Lyca Gairanod is a symbol of strength and hope. She is no longer just “a kid from Cavite who won a singing contest” — she is a woman who has experienced the upheaval of her world and learned to rise again.

In the end, the question he used to ask himself seems to have been answered: Is success worth it?
And in his now peaceful smile, the answer is clear — yes, as long as you don’t forget who you were before you became famous.