Charlie Fleming isn’t taking anything for granted
When she was in Grade 4, Charlie Fleming was part of a school radio news program. While other students reported on world events and local stories, she presented the entertainment segment—“Chika minute!” she says, laughing. It was the closest thing to showbiz she had ever done, and for a moment, she wondered if this might be a glimpse into her future.
“I was really hooked. Sabi ko, ‘Is this a sign, Lord?’” she tells Lifestyle Inquirer.
The stint made her realize she had a gift for gab. Determined to hone it, she didn’t think twice and signed up for summer workshops when an offer at school came up. However, the pandemic hit and put everything to a halt.
But she wasn’t about to let that setback silence the “yapper” in her.
Growing fame
So, in 2021, at the age of 13, Fleming turned her attention to content creation, joining—and starting—viral TikTok trends and dance challenges, which helped her build a following of millions. It didn’t take long before her natural charm and undeniable “face card” caught the attention of talent scouts, both in fashion and entertainment.
In 2023, she was introduced as part of Sparkle GMA Artist Center’s fresh batch of teen talents. She quickly landed roles in the sitcom “Pepito Manaloto” and the drama series “Black Rider” and “Royal Blood”—the latter of which earned her a Best New Female TV Personality nomination from the Star Awards.
While her career was already gaining momentum as a regular cast member in “Widows’ War,” it was her participation last year in “Pinoy Big Brother (PBB): Celebrity Collab Edition” that fast-tracked her rise and turned her into a familiar face.
“It’s crazy how short videos of me just doing silly dances and lip-syncing can have such an impact on my life,” says the British Filipino actress from Cagayan de Oro City.
After “PBB,” Fleming joined her fellow housemates this year in the ongoing mystery series “The Secrets of Hotel 88” and made her big-screen debut in the horror flick “Huwag Kang Titingin.” She’s also set to star in the upcoming action drama “The Master Cutter,” top-billed by Dingdong Dantes.
Tiring, but fulfilling
Work has been tiring, she admits, but incredibly fulfilling, and she couldn’t be more grateful. But while she’s enjoying this exploration phase and sees acting as a viable career path, it may be too early to say that she’s in it for good. “There are no promises I will be here forever,” she says. “Maybe in time, God will have something else for me.”
By “something else,” she means her other dreams she still hopes to pursue—all of which, unsurprisingly, involve yapping, she jokes.
Pageantry was one of her first loves, she says, and she actually used to skip school just to watch the likes of Pia Wurtzbach and Catriona Gray compete. Fans and industry insiders alike are convinced that she has the makings of a beauty queen. But while she’s keeping her doors open to that prospect, she will have to see whether joining a pageant still feels right for her in the coming years.
After all, she primarily sees pageants as a platform to highlight her advocacies. But if her acting career continues to grow, then there’s probably no need to aspire for a crown. “I have a platform right now, and I’m enjoying myself, so why not use it?”
Using her platform
That platform is especially meaningful when it comes to her passion for education. Raised by an equally extroverted mother, Fleming grew up meeting different people in different places and from all walks of life. From these experiences, she realized early on that not everyone has the same opportunities. And learning that going to school isn’t a given for some opened her eyes early on to the inequalities many children face.
“I pray that every child gets the education they need growing up. Everyone deserves it. These are human needs and rights; they’re not supposed to be a privilege,” Fleming says.
This belief is also why she’s bent on finishing her studies, however difficult it is to juggle the hectic and unpredictable nature of showbiz. Currently homeschooled and in Grade 11, the 17-year-old celebrity plans to take up marketing in college and someday open her own business.
“I have always loved storytelling because it brings out my extroverted personality,” says the actress. “I love talking to people and asking them questions.”
Keeping the fridge full
While she keeps that in mind, she also makes sure her younger brother isn’t left behind. In the absence of her estranged father, Fleming stands as the family breadwinner. But more than “keeping the fridge full,” she wants her brother to finish his studies without having to worry about anything else but his grades.
“I’m happy if he’s happy, and I don’t want him to worry about what he’s going to eat or what to wear or what he needs,” she says. “I want him to experience a full life na walang kulang… na kahit wala ‘yong dad namin, everything else is okay.”
These responsibilities are a lot for anyone, let alone someone who hasn’t even turned 18. So even if projects are plenty and she’s earning better now—and feels blessed to have the capacity to provide for her family—she still thinks about and worries over whether she’s putting her money into things “that can sustain me and my family’s future.”
But at the very least, she’s having fun and genuinely loves what she does. And as someone who used to just deliver showbiz news, Fleming has now become the subject—and she hopes to keep her name there for as long as she can.
“My fear is wasting opportunities that come my way,” she says, “so I always try my best not to take them for granted.”
