# Bretman Rock: From Filipino Roots to Global Beauty Icon
Discover the incredible journey of Bretman Rock in this captivating podcast episode. Born in the Philippines and raised in Hawaii, Bretman transformed from a social media newcomer to a groundbreaking beauty influencer, entrepreneur, and advocate.
Learn how Bretman's authentic personality and unfiltered humor catapulted him to fame, making history as the first openly gay man on Playboy's cover and winning prestigious awards including the People's Choice Award for Beauty Influencer.
This episode explores Bretman's Filipino heritage, LGBTQ+ advocacy, successful beauty collaborations, and his bestselling memoir "You're That Bitch." We dive deep into how his family relationships shaped his identity and how he balances celebrity status with island life in Hawaii.
Perfect for fans of beauty content, social media success stories, and those interested in authentic representation in media. Subscribe for weekly updates on Bretman Rock's evolving story of self-acceptance and cultural impact.
#BretmanRock #BeautyInfluencer #LGBTQ #FilipinoAmerican #SocialMediaIcon #Representation #DigitalEntrepreneur
Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3Qs
For more check out http://www.quietplease.ai
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
Discover the incredible journey of Bretman Rock in this captivating podcast episode. Born in the Philippines and raised in Hawaii, Bretman transformed from a social media newcomer to a groundbreaking beauty influencer, entrepreneur, and advocate.
Learn how Bretman's authentic personality and unfiltered humor catapulted him to fame, making history as the first openly gay man on Playboy's cover and winning prestigious awards including the People's Choice Award for Beauty Influencer.
This episode explores Bretman's Filipino heritage, LGBTQ+ advocacy, successful beauty collaborations, and his bestselling memoir "You're That Bitch." We dive deep into how his family relationships shaped his identity and how he balances celebrity status with island life in Hawaii.
Perfect for fans of beauty content, social media success stories, and those interested in authentic representation in media. Subscribe for weekly updates on Bretman Rock's evolving story of self-acceptance and cultural impact.
#BretmanRock #BeautyInfluencer #LGBTQ #FilipinoAmerican #SocialMediaIcon #Representation #DigitalEntrepreneur
Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3Qs
For more check out http://www.quietplease.ai
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Breadman Rock sakayan In Laforga came into the world on
July thirtieth, nineteen ninety eight, in Sanchezmira, a town in
the Kagayan Province of the Philippines. Born into an Ilocano family,
his early life was marked by both warmth and challenge.
His father, Edmund Laforga, had a fascination for professional wrestling,
(00:32):
and gave his son a name blending his wrestling idols
Brett Hart and Drayne the Rock Johnson. His mother, Mercedita Sakayanin,
provided stability during times of change. Despite growing up Catholic
in a traditional Filipino household, Bretman's family always embraced and
supported him, including their acceptance of his sexuality. From a
(00:54):
young age. Make up fascinated Bretman, especially as he watched
his grandmother prepare for church. He later recalled how those
early memories of her transformation built his own confidence, fueling
a passion that would later become foundational to his career.
During his childhood, life underwent a huge change when his
(01:14):
parents divorced following his father's affair At seven years old.
Bretman moved with his mother and younger sister Princess May
to Hawaii. The transition was not easy, marked by new
cultural realities and financial hardship. There were times when, as
Bretman recalled, he could not afford spool supplies and even
(01:36):
failed a class. Yet living on the island of Awah
gradually became home. Sports like baseball, soccer, cross country, and
especially track and volleyball became part of his daily life
at Campbell High School. These activities not only kept him focused,
but also helped Bretman adapt and connect with new friends
(01:58):
in a place far different from the Philippine. His journey
toward becoming a global social media sensation began almost by accident.
As a teen, Britman started making communic videos for Snapchat
and Vine, capturing moments with friends and family. What set
his content apart was the mixture of humor, personal authenticity,
(02:19):
and beauty expertise. According to Bretman, he first blew up
after a video of him slapping his sister, Princess May
during a playful sketch, was posted online. What seemed like
an inside joke instantly gained traction, and within a span
of just two months, he rocketed from ten thousand to
over two million followers. On Instagram. By the end of
(02:42):
that school year, more than ten million people were viewing
his posts, a staggering leap that drew the interest of
the fast growing world of digital content creation. Around this time,
Bretman's contouring tutorial went viral, cementing his reputation as a
beauty guru and commite talent. His debut in the influencer
(03:02):
space marked him as one of the first male beauty
experts to join what was then a predominantly female scene.
With his online popularity exploding, Breadman leaned into this momentum,
producing content on almost every aspect of his life, from
makeup tutorials and fitness advice to candid takes on Filipino
culture and LGBTQ plus identity. He put his whole self
(03:27):
on display. According to numerous interviews, the secret to his
enduring popularity has always been authenticity. Whether sharing anecdotes about
being lated to school or musings on the latest makeup trend,
what the world saw was the real Bretman. This commitment
to honesty and humor led him to amass millions of
(03:47):
fans across platforms. By twenty five, he already had tens
of millions of followers on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, combined,
making him one of the most recognizable faces in a
world world of online entertainment. Bretman's career quickly expand, meaning
he devised some time as constant panded beyond the screen.
(04:10):
His relationship with his audience, especially those who saw themselves
reflected in his experiences, drove him to take on eating
larger projects. He hosted red carpet events like the Miss
Universe pageant in twenty seventeen, and collaborated with top beauty
brands to create exclusive product lines. By his early twenties,
he had launched brush sets, highlighter palettes, and entire makeup
(04:33):
collections in partnership with major companies like Morphy, Colour Pop,
and Wet and Wild. These collaborations not only increased his fortune,
but also solidified Bretman's role as a true entrepreneur in
the world of beauty. In addition to beauty, Bretman became
a noted advocate for inclusivity, representation, and mental health awareness.
(04:55):
He has been open about his mental health struggles and
complicated relationship with his father, especially after his father's passing
in twenty nineteen. He continues to use his voice to
uplift Filipino American in LGBTQ plus communities. As he puts it,
his willingness to push boundaries and challenge negative stereotypes has
always been part of moving the needle for wider acceptance
(05:17):
in the media. His efforts did not go unnoticed. He
won the People's Choice Award for Beauty Influencer in twenty
nineteen and the Breakthrough Social Star at the MTV Movie
and TV Awards in twenty twenty one. In October of
the same year, he made history as the first openly
gay man to grace the cover of Playboy magazine, expanding
(05:39):
the boundaries of mainstream visibility for queer men of color.
Bretman's reach also extended to television, where his personality shown
through on MTV's Following Bretman Rock, a reality series on
YouTube that gave viewers a deeper look at his life,
Faye Millie, and cultural heritage. The show and its spin
offs revealed both his playful and vulnerable sides, making him
(06:02):
relatable to fans old and new. In twenty twenty three,
he published his memoir called You're That Bitch and Other
Cute Lessons about being unapologetically yourself. The book gave listeners
deeper insight into his journey, personal battles, and what drives
his fearless confidence. In twenty twenty four, Bretman's contributions were
(06:24):
formally recognized by the Hawaii House of Representatives for his
positive influence and impact on entertainment and representation. Bretman's story
is just as much about breaking barriers as it is
about personal growth. He continues to live in Hawaii, balancing
celebrity status with island life. Through every success, Bretman has
(06:45):
consistently credited his sense of identity, his Filipino heritage, and
his family's unwavering support for helping him achieve extraordinary heights.
Whether discussing the joys and challenges of his journey from
the Philippines to Hawaii, or sharing wisdom on the importance
of mental health and self acceptance. His approach combines humor, candor,
(07:06):
and leadership. Today, Bretman rock holds an important place not
only in the digital world, but as a cultural icon.
He champions representation for Filipino Americans, lgbtcreplus individuals, and those
who see themselves as outsiders. As his memoir on Screen
Ventures social media and activism show Bretmann continues to inspire
(07:29):
fans around the globe by embracing the fullness of who
he is and encouraging others to do the same. With
his ever growing influence, there is little doubt that his
story will continue to evolve and reach new heights. Thank
you for tuning in. Join us each week for another
bike quiet. Please dot ai hear what matters
Breadman Rock sakayan In Laforga came into the world on
July thirtieth, nineteen ninety eight, in Sanchezmira, a town in
the Kagayan Province of the Philippines. Born into an Ilocano family,
his early life was marked by both warmth and challenge.
His father, Edmund Laforga, had a fascination for professional wrestling,
(00:32):
and gave his son a name blending his wrestling idols
Brett Hart and Drayne the Rock Johnson. His mother, Mercedita Sakayanin,
provided stability during times of change. Despite growing up Catholic
in a traditional Filipino household, Bretman's family always embraced and
supported him, including their acceptance of his sexuality. From a
(00:54):
young age. Make up fascinated Bretman, especially as he watched
his grandmother prepare for church. He later recalled how those
early memories of her transformation built his own confidence, fueling
a passion that would later become foundational to his career.
During his childhood, life underwent a huge change when his
(01:14):
parents divorced following his father's affair At seven years old.
Bretman moved with his mother and younger sister Princess May
to Hawaii. The transition was not easy, marked by new
cultural realities and financial hardship. There were times when, as
Bretman recalled, he could not afford spool supplies and even
(01:36):
failed a class. Yet living on the island of Awah
gradually became home. Sports like baseball, soccer, cross country, and
especially track and volleyball became part of his daily life
at Campbell High School. These activities not only kept him focused,
but also helped Bretman adapt and connect with new friends
(01:58):
in a place far different from the Philippine. His journey
toward becoming a global social media sensation began almost by accident.
As a teen, Britman started making communic videos for Snapchat
and Vine, capturing moments with friends and family. What set
his content apart was the mixture of humor, personal authenticity,
(02:19):
and beauty expertise. According to Bretman, he first blew up
after a video of him slapping his sister, Princess May
during a playful sketch, was posted online. What seemed like
an inside joke instantly gained traction, and within a span
of just two months, he rocketed from ten thousand to
over two million followers. On Instagram. By the end of
(02:42):
that school year, more than ten million people were viewing
his posts, a staggering leap that drew the interest of
the fast growing world of digital content creation. Around this time,
Bretman's contouring tutorial went viral, cementing his reputation as a
beauty guru and commite talent. His debut in the influencer
(03:02):
space marked him as one of the first male beauty
experts to join what was then a predominantly female scene.
With his online popularity exploding, Breadman leaned into this momentum,
producing content on almost every aspect of his life, from
makeup tutorials and fitness advice to candid takes on Filipino
culture and LGBTQ plus identity. He put his whole self
(03:27):
on display. According to numerous interviews, the secret to his
enduring popularity has always been authenticity. Whether sharing anecdotes about
being lated to school or musings on the latest makeup trend,
what the world saw was the real Bretman. This commitment
to honesty and humor led him to amass millions of
(03:47):
fans across platforms. By twenty five, he already had tens
of millions of followers on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, combined,
making him one of the most recognizable faces in a
world world of online entertainment. Bretman's career quickly expand, meaning
he devised some time as constant panded beyond the screen.
(04:10):
His relationship with his audience, especially those who saw themselves
reflected in his experiences, drove him to take on eating
larger projects. He hosted red carpet events like the Miss
Universe pageant in twenty seventeen, and collaborated with top beauty
brands to create exclusive product lines. By his early twenties,
he had launched brush sets, highlighter palettes, and entire makeup
(04:33):
collections in partnership with major companies like Morphy, Colour Pop,
and Wet and Wild. These collaborations not only increased his fortune,
but also solidified Bretman's role as a true entrepreneur in
the world of beauty. In addition to beauty, Bretman became
a noted advocate for inclusivity, representation, and mental health awareness.
(04:55):
He has been open about his mental health struggles and
complicated relationship with his father, especially after his father's passing
in twenty nineteen. He continues to use his voice to
uplift Filipino American in LGBTQ plus communities. As he puts it,
his willingness to push boundaries and challenge negative stereotypes has
always been part of moving the needle for wider acceptance
(05:17):
in the media. His efforts did not go unnoticed. He
won the People's Choice Award for Beauty Influencer in twenty
nineteen and the Breakthrough Social Star at the MTV Movie
and TV Awards in twenty twenty one. In October of
the same year, he made history as the first openly
gay man to grace the cover of Playboy magazine, expanding
(05:39):
the boundaries of mainstream visibility for queer men of color.
Bretman's reach also extended to television, where his personality shown
through on MTV's Following Bretman Rock, a reality series on
YouTube that gave viewers a deeper look at his life,
Faye Millie, and cultural heritage. The show and its spin
offs revealed both his playful and vulnerable sides, making him
(06:02):
relatable to fans old and new. In twenty twenty three,
he published his memoir called You're That Bitch and Other
Cute Lessons about being unapologetically yourself. The book gave listeners
deeper insight into his journey, personal battles, and what drives
his fearless confidence. In twenty twenty four, Bretman's contributions were
(06:24):
formally recognized by the Hawaii House of Representatives for his
positive influence and impact on entertainment and representation. Bretman's story
is just as much about breaking barriers as it is
about personal growth. He continues to live in Hawaii, balancing
celebrity status with island life. Through every success, Bretman has
(06:45):
consistently credited his sense of identity, his Filipino heritage, and
his family's unwavering support for helping him achieve extraordinary heights.
Whether discussing the joys and challenges of his journey from
the Philippines to Hawaii, or sharing wisdom on the importance
of mental health and self acceptance. His approach combines humor, candor,
(07:06):
and leadership. Today, Bretman rock holds an important place not
only in the digital world, but as a cultural icon.
He champions representation for Filipino Americans, lgbtcreplus individuals, and those
who see themselves as outsiders. As his memoir on Screen
Ventures social media and activism show Bretmann continues to inspire
(07:29):
fans around the globe by embracing the fullness of who
he is and encouraging others to do the same. With
his ever growing influence, there is little doubt that his
story will continue to evolve and reach new heights. Thank
you for tuning in. Join us each week for another
bike quiet. Please dot ai hear what matters
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