CARREN EISTRUP won the recent “Bida Next” contest of “Eat Bulaga” on February 4.
The perky charmer is from Cebu turned 14 years old on February 2 and she considers her “Bida Next” win as her best birthday gift ever.
The daughter of a Pinay mom and a Danish father, Carren won a total of P500,000 in cash, a brand new Next Gen Ford Ranger plus a million pesos worth of contract with “Eat Bulaga” as the newest Dabarkad in the country’s longest running show.
Carren is a talented singer and dancer. In the finals, she sang Miley Cyrus hit song, ‘The Climb’ and the Tagalog song, ‘Pangarap na Bituin’ by Faith Cuneta.
For her dance challenge, she did a dance number that she dedicated to Gen Z youngsters like her.
She is currently in grade 9. Now that she’s in showbiz, will she quit her studies?
“Naku, hindi po,” she says. “I’m so happy nabigyan ako ng chance to be a regular in ‘Eat Bulaga’ and I’m sure marami akong matutuhan sa experience ko with my more senior co-hosts in this long-running show.
"Pero kahit naman naging busy ako dahil sa pagsali ko Bida Next contest, never kong pinabayaan ang studies ko.
"I always try my best to maintain my good grades kasi I really believe that having a good education is a big help to give us a good foundation for our future.”
Winning the grand prize in “Bida Next” is a dream come true for her.
Actually, the first time she joined a contest in “Eat Bulaga” was five years ago when she was only 8 years old.
She joined the song competition for kids called “Hype Kang Bata Ka” in 2013 where she was one of the grand finalists. Then as a teenager, she joined “Bida Next” and emerged as its grand winner.
“Pangarap ko po talaga to perform since I was a little girl. I’m very passionate about entertaining people and making them happy and giving them good vibes.
"I want to thank si Ryzza Mae Dizon kasi she welcomed me warmly at nagkasundo kami agad as hosts of the show.”
Lots of people say she reminds them of American singer Miley Cyrus. Is this is an advantage for her?
“Yes, I think so. But eventually, I want to be recognize on my own and not just a lookalike of someone else.
'I want to cultivate my own image. I want to be recognized not just for being a pretty face but for my musical talents.
'I dream of performing someday in Las Vegas, where I have some relatives.”
Carren’s talent is natural as she is not having any ongoing voice lessons.
“My favorite singer po talaga is Grammy award winner Sara Bareilles who’s known for her hit songs ‘Gravity’ and ‘Brave’.
"She also starred in Broadway shows, like ‘Waitress’, which she herself wrote, and got nominated sa Tony Awards.”
Carren dreams of someday getting her own house for her family and later on putting up her own business in Cebu.