Anne & Joshua Share How Fashion, Chemistry, and Character Growth Blend in It’s Okay to Not Be Okay

At the recent It’s Okay to Not Be Okay media junket held at Peninsula Hotel Manila, Anne Curtis and Joshua Garcia opened up about what went into bringing their characters to life. From fashion choices that reflect emotions to building slow-burn chemistry on set, the two stars shared fun and honest insights about working together on the much-anticipated Filipino adaptation of the hit series.

Here’s how the conversation went:

For Anne Curtis: How do you balance the character's dark, emotional past with her striking visual and fashion-forward style?

Anne Curtis:
“Mia’s visuals go through a journey as well—not just emotionally. That’s how Mia expresses her emotions, through her outfits. You’ll see a pilot change, a structure change. It’s not just an emotional journey, it’s also a visual journey for her.”

Joshua Garcia:
“Pinag-isipan talaga, ang galing.”

Anne Curtis:
“I worked closely with the director, with the designers—so even the fashion speaks. It’s like another character.”

For Anne and Joshua: How did you manage to build chemistry towards each other, especially if there’s a unique tension with your characters?

Joshua Garcia:
“I think nakatulong yung story kasi slow burn siya. Medyo hindi agad kilig, ako pa-suplado type dito, kala mo ang gwapo, e no.”

Anne Curtis: (laughs with Joshua)

Joshua Garcia:
“So ayun, nakatulong yung story. Hindi rin namin in-overthink na kailangan naming magpakilig—ginagawa lang namin kung ano yung nararamdaman sa scene. Iyon ang importante, kung saan galing yung character mo, at saan siya papunta.”

Anne Curtis:
“Yeah, building on that… yung awkwardness, it worked for the characters. And as we got to know each other, naka-lock in kami so inevitable na mas makikilala mo yung isa't isa. I would invite them to hang out, para mas comfortable. That helps build chemistry when there’s that real connection.”

“We’d bond, we’d relate to the characters, and Direk would guide us especially sa mga scenes na medyo bago. Direk really helped us. I think you guys will see what Josh means by slow burn—Mia starts out like a dog attacking… then eventually, tamed. It’s such an awesome journey.”

About It’s Okay to Not Be Okay

An author with severe antisocial tendencies learns to confront her deep emotional wounds when she meets a stranger who challenges her cold facade. 

It’s Okay to Not be Okay follows the story of Mia (Anne Curtis), a woman diagnosed with  antisocial personality disorder, who gets involved with Patpat (Joshua Garcia), a dedicated  and quiet psych ward caretaker, and his autistic and creative older brother Matmat (Carlo  Aquino). 

Premiere Dates:

July 18 on Netflix
July 19 on iWantT
July 21 on Kapamilya Online Live, Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5, and Jeepney TV

Catch it and see for yourself how fashion, chemistry, and character growth all come together in It’s Okay to Not Be Okay!