Diyosa kung tingnan ng maraming kalalakihan ang model-VJ-fashion designer-makeup artist turned actress na si Solenn Heussaff.
Ever since umingay ang kanyang pangalan via GMA-7's reality show Survivor Philippines Celebrity Showdown, naging isang sex symbol na si Solenn. Kumbaga, perfect siya sa mata ng marami.
TEENAGE YEARS. Pero ang hindi alam ng marami ay dumaan si Solenn sa matinding pagkawala ng self-confidence noong teenager pa siya. Inamin ni Solenn na during those years ay halos magtago lang siya dahil takot siya sa pambu-bully sa kanya ng ibang bata sa school.
Naikuwento ni Solenn sa PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) na during her high school years ay nag-struggle siya sa pagiging overweight.
Tuwing papasok daw siya sa school ay parati siyang kinakabahan dahil alam niyang may mga tutukso na naman sa kanya. Dahil dito ay madalas siyang umiyak nang patago sa school.
"I was terribly overweight when I was 13 or 14 years old. We're talking about 200 pounds overweight ako, tapos very short pa ako. So you would just imagine how cruel the kids in school could be to someone like me," pagbabalik-tanaw ni Solenn.
"I didn't have many friends then because I would shut out people in my life. I was so hurt by what they were calling me. They would call me 'Free Willy,' 'big whale,' and all those nasty names that a kid would not like.
"So that really put me down and it affected my confidence. There are times that I would be afraid of going to school because may trauma na ako sa mga bullies. I just want them to leave me alone.
"That's why I can relate to a lot of teenagers out there who go through something like this, because I was one of them before. "
Sa tulong ng kanyang mga magulang at ilang mga kaibigan, pinilit nila si Solenn na lumaban at gumawa ng paraan para maibalik nito ang kanyang self-esteem. Kilala kasi nila si Solenn na masayahin at nalulungkot silang nakikita itong depressed dahil sa pisikal na kaanyuan niya.
"The people in my life helped overcome my depression and I tried to make things better for me," sabi ni Solenn. "I promised myself that I will make a change. I will not do it for the people who put me down, I will do it for myself because I want to experience change."
CRASH DIET. Sinimulan ni Solenn ang mag-diet. Yung mga dating kinahihiligan niyang kainin ay isinakripisyo niya para siya pumayat. Yun nga lang ay mali ang naging unang paraan niya ng pagda-diet.
Kuwento niya, "I just started eating an apple for the whole day. My parents didn't know that I was doing that crash diet thing and it made me sick. I was hospitalized for a few days because of that.
"When my parents found out, they got mad at me. If I want to get it right, I must do the right thing. Eat properly and exercise. Hindi raw puwede ang crash diet.
"So I took their advice and I ate healthier meals. Then I exercised a lot. I got into dancing. That shed off the unwanted pounds.
"When I achieved the goal that I wanted, I felt good and my confidence slowly came back. Wala naman akong galit to the kids who bullied me. I made an effort to improve myself and I was successful in doing it."
MAKEOVER SHOW. Ngayon, bukod sa pagiging celebrity ay isa na ring host si Solenn ng kanyang sariling makeover show sa GMA News TV na Fashbook. Hindi nga raw ito pangkaraniwang makeover show na magpapaganda lang sila ng mga tao. May kinalaman din ang inner beauty rito na pinakaimportante sa lahat.
"This is not just a physical makeover but we also makeover your inner beauty," sabi niya.
"For me, what's important is what's inside your heart. If you have beauty there, then it will reflect on the outside. Based on my experience, it's a must that you feel good inside.
"Kaya before we make the makeover thing, we have a life coach [Miss A] to talk with whoever we are working on. Para to find out what's going on with her life. Kung ano ang mga dapat na gawin niya to help bring out that true beauty in her.
"Kami naman nila Migs [Mayuga] and Eric [Poliquit], we will do the makeover so that she will not just feel good inside but outside as well. It's a fun show and people will learn something from us. Hindi lang mga makeup and styling tips, but how to pick yourself up and feel good about yourself."
Bukod sa Fashbook ay busy rin si Solenn sa ibang shows tulad ng Party Pilipinas at sa nalalapit na GMA-7 telefantasya na Captain Barbell.
Sa movies naman ay kasali si Solenn sa remake ng Temptation Island under Regal Entertainment. Makakasama niya rito sina Marian Rivera, Heart Evangelista, Lovi Poe, Rufa Mae Quinto, at John "Sweet" Lapus.
Ang kanyang debut album naman under MCA Universal ay lalabas na sa April. Isa raw itong dance album na mala-Katy Perry ang dating.