For years, Ingrid dela Paz was recognized as one of the young talents who emerged from Star Magic Circle 2013, the same batch that included Liza Soberano, Julia Barretto, Janella Salvador, Jane Oineza, and other familiar names in Philippine entertainment.
Today, however, the former actress is living a very different life.
Now based in Canada, Ingrid is focused on her family, content creation, and building a future for her children. In an exclusive interview with PEP.ph on August 21, 2026, she opened up about the difficult experiences that pushed her to start over abroad—and the unexpected direction her life eventually took.
From a promising showbiz career to a painful setback
Ingrid spent about a decade connected with Star Magic and appeared in several ABS-CBN productions, including Got to Believe, Tubig at Langis, and Wildflower.
One of the biggest disappointments in her early career came in 2016, when she was initially chosen to play Clara in Tubig at Langis. The role was eventually given to Isabelle Daza, while Ingrid remained part of the series as Emma.
Looking back, Ingrid admitted that losing the role hurt.
She later explained that showbiz can be unpredictable, particularly because a role is not guaranteed until viewers actually see it on screen.
The experience was only one of several setbacks that eventually changed the direction of her life.
A difficult chapter pushed her to start over
According to Ingrid, the pandemic period became particularly difficult.
She also went through the breakdown of a marriage after about a year, leaving her uncertain about what direction to take next. She eventually stepped away from social media and stopped vlogging for a time.
Wanting a fresh start and greater peace of mind, she decided to take a major risk: leaving the Philippines and starting over in Canada.
Her journey also included a complicated legal battle involving her previous marriage.
In July 2026, KAMI reported that Ingrid had revealed spending around ₱400,367 on an annulment attempt in the Philippines. Because she was already abroad and could not attend the hearings, the case did not move forward.
She later pursued divorce proceedings in Canada, spending C$2,825, or approximately ₱123,000 based on the figure reported by KAMI.
Ingrid has also been clear that a Canadian divorce certificate does not automatically settle her marital status under Philippine law, an important distinction when discussing foreign divorces and their recognition in the Philippines.
For Ingrid, however, the Canadian process represented progress after a period when she felt stuck.
Canada gave her a different purpose
Her new beginning eventually led her toward another passion: culinary arts.
Ingrid completed a Culinary Management program at Centennial College in Ontario and graduated with high honors in 2025. ABS-CBN reported at the time that she described the achievement as a milestone more than a decade in the making.
Her professional direction also shifted away from acting and toward food and family life.
But becoming a mother ultimately became the biggest turning point.
In March 2025, Ingrid welcomed her daughter, Kirsten. ABS-CBN reported in March 2026 that Ingrid celebrated her daughter’s first birthday, sharing a message about how their love for her continues to grow.
Now, she is expecting another baby
Ingrid’s Canadian chapter has continued to evolve.
As of her August 2026 interview with PEP.ph, she is eight months pregnant with her second child, a baby boy. She is also raising her toddler while working as a homemaker and content creator.
Her partner, whom she knew during her younger years, is a seafarer. According to Ingrid, the two went their separate ways for eight years before eventually finding their way back to each other.
Today, the couple is working toward residency in Canada while preparing for the arrival of their son.
For Ingrid, the life she has now is far removed from the career she once imagined in Philippine television.
But she says she has come to understand her setbacks differently.
‘I actually really miss acting’
Despite leaving showbiz, Ingrid says she has not completely closed that chapter.
When PEP.ph asked whether she was ready to permanently leave acting behind, her answer was clear: no.
She said she still misses acting and would welcome an opportunity if the right offer came along someday. For now, however, her priority is securing a future for her children and continuing to build their life in Canada.
Her content-creation career has also developed in ways she did not expect.
Ingrid said she originally wanted to earn from home while caring for her first child, but her videos eventually gained traction and opened new opportunities.
She now hopes to continue growing as a creator while balancing motherhood and pregnancy.
A comeback may not be off the table
Ingrid’s story is therefore not simply about a former actress who left Philippine showbiz.
It is about someone who experienced career disappointment, personal struggles, relocation, motherhood, and a complete change in direction—and found a new purpose in the process.
GMA Entertainment previously documented Ingrid’s transition from former Kapamilya actress to her life in Canada, including her studies, working experience, pregnancy, family, and content creation.
And while her priorities have clearly changed, Ingrid is leaving one possibility open.
If an acting opportunity comes her way in the future, she says she would still be willing to return.
For now, though, the former Star Magic talent is choosing family, content creation, and her new life in Canada.
What began as an uncertain decision to leave everything behind may have become the fresh start she had been searching for all along.
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