OMG you guys!!! I am literally screaming inside right now because I finally decided to share this photo and I cannot believe I kept it buried for so long!!
Look at this face. Look at this vibe. Look at this energy!!
This is an old portfolio shoot that I never posted before and honestly I don’t even know why I held onto it for so long because every single time I scroll past it in my camera roll I fall in love with it all over again. The soft glow, the smoky eyes, the long hair cascading down, that shiny black vinyl jacket with the fluffy trim… it is pure dark and edgy perfection and I am obsessed!!
Here’s the exact post from my Instagram so you can see it in all its glory:
Can we just take a moment for how the light is hitting everything? The way the jacket is reflecting, the soft background, the little head tilt and the hand under my chin… it feels so cinematic and I am living for it!! This is the kind of look that makes me feel like the main character in a moody indie film or a mysterious girl who shows up in the middle of the night with a secret. I love it so much!!
You all already know how much I adore dark and edgy outfits. Like, give me black vinyl, leather, deep wine reds, sharp lines, dramatic makeup, and I am the happiest girl in the world. Soft pastels are cute and everything, but nothing makes my heart race the way a full dark-and-edgy look does. When I put on something shiny and structured like this jacket I instantly feel powerful, a little dangerous, and completely myself. It is my ultimate comfort zone and my ultimate power move at the same time!!
I remember the day we shot this. The stylist and I were bouncing ideas back and forth and the second I slipped into this piece I just knew. The camera started clicking and I felt like I was floating. Every pose felt natural because the outfit was doing half the work. That is the magic of a good dark look for me — it does not just sit on your body, it becomes part of your energy. And that is exactly why I keep coming back to this style again and again.
Right now I am writing this from the Philippines and let me tell you… the shift in energy is so real!! After spending so much time in Dubai, coming home feels like a big soft hug. The food, the family, the familiar streets, the way the air feels different… I am soaking it all in and it is making my heart so full. But of course my brain is still half in Dubai mode because that is where so much of my creative work has been happening.
Speaking of Dubai… can we talk about how hard it is to do acting work there right now because of the weather?!! The heat is no joke, you guys. When it is peak summer and the temperature is climbing higher and higher, outdoor shoots become a whole different challenge. You are trying to stay in character, deliver your lines, keep your energy up, and at the same time you are basically melting under the sun. Makeup starts sliding, costumes start feeling heavy, and your focus has to work overtime just to stay sharp.
I have so much respect for every actor, director, and crew member who pushes through those days. It takes real passion and real grit. Some of my favorite memories from sets in Dubai are the ones where we were all laughing between takes because we were dripping in sweat but still so determined to get the perfect shot. Those moments make the work feel even more special somehow. But wow… some days the heat really tests you!!
Even with all of that, I still love the industry there. The projects, the people, the chance to create something new every time. Dubai has given me so many beautiful opportunities and I am forever grateful. Being back home in the Philippines right now just gives me space to reflect and dream even bigger.
And speaking of dreaming bigger… I cannot stop thinking about the day I might get to sign a contract for a Netflix series. Can you even imagine?!! I keep picturing myself on set, learning new characters, working with amazing directors, and bringing stories to life for people all over the world. I would be over the moon!!
What I really hope for is the chance to play a whimsical character. Someone a little magical, a little mysterious, a little unpredictable… the kind of role that lets me mix the dark and edgy energy I love so much with something playful and unexpected. I want to be the girl who walks into a scene and makes everyone lean in because they are not quite sure what she is going to do next. That mix of soft and sharp, dreamy and intense… that is the kind of character that lives in my head rent-free right now.
If there are any productions out there looking for exactly that kind of energy — a whimsical, dark-edged, full-of-life character — please please please write to me. My email is contact@alyssabustilloofficial.com and I would be so excited to hear from you!! I am ready. I am hungry for the next chapter. I am so open to new collaborations and new stories.
In the meantime I am just going to keep creating, keep shooting, and keep sharing the looks that make me feel most like myself. This old portfolio selfie is the perfect reminder that sometimes the best photos are the ones we almost forget about. The ones that wait patiently until the perfect moment to come out and shine.
Thank you so much for being here and for supporting everything I do. It means the absolute world to me. If you are not already following me on Instagram, please go follow @_aly.official right now so you never miss the next look, the next BTS moment, or the next little adventure. And if you ever want to connect, collab, or just say hi, my inbox is always open at contact@alyssabustilloofficial.com.
I am so excited for everything that is coming next. Dark outfits, big dreams, Netflix hopes, and whatever magical things the universe has planned. Let’s keep going, you guys!!
Love you all so much!!
Alyssa 🖤✨
