Queenie Padilla's brief showbiz run and "rebirth"

Queenie Padilla may have quit show business, but it seems public curiosity about her private life has been keeping her in the spotlight.

LIEZL SICANGCO AND ROBIN PADILLA'S FIRSTBORN

Her real name is Rozelle Elizabeth, born on July 17, 1992.

She is the eldest child of action superstar dubbed the "Bad Boy" of Philippine showbiz and now-Senator Robin Padilla and Liezl Sicangco.

Read:Censors, Hollywood-style Rizal, and Bad Boy: Wild world of showbiz during FVR's time

She has three siblings, namely, Kylie, Zhen-Zhen, and Ali.

Queenie said in an old interview her nickname came from her dad, who called her "my queen" at the moment of her birth.

A young Queenie with her dad Robin Padilla at the set of the 1994 action film, Mistah. / PHOTO: Queenie Padilla (Instagram)

Queenie studied and finished high school in Australia, where her mom has been based for years even before separating from Robin in 2007.

She moved to Southport in Queensland to stay before she turned eight.

Read:10 Filipino celebrities now based in Australia

Queenie said about her bonding moments with her parents, "We watch movies and we play war games. Or we go to the mall.

"My dad and my mom are not like other kids’ dad and mom. They are just like our friends, you know.

"My mom can be my sister and my friend; my dad can be my brother and my friend.

"They’re everything to me. I love them very much."

JOINING SHOWBIZ

Being born to a family of actors, Queenie was naturally drawn to the world of show business.

In a December 2004 article published in The Philippine Star, Robin told entertainment journalist Ricky Lo about his plan to manage Queenie's career.

Robin wanted her to focus on music, particularly singing, before trying out acting.

"I want them to sing songs that have something to do with life and religion, mga kanta ng pagkakaisa," he told Ricky over lunch.

Read:Ricky Lo, mapagbigay hanggang kanyang huling sandali

Added Robin, "Once they are trained here, I plan to bring them to America para ma-expose sila to all kinds of music.

"Then, maybe sa Europe. And then they come back to the Philippines. Music first.

"Maybe Queenie can try the movies in 2006."

Also talking to Ricky Lo, Queenie, who knows how to play the violin, said she dreamed of being an actress "since I was small" and had to convince her parents to allow her to join show business.

The then-aspiring actress said she would attend singing and dance lessons, acting workshops, and even boxing to prepare for showbiz.

Queenie would love to act on drama, action, and horror projects.

As for the intrigues, Queenie remarked, "I don’t care about the tsismis. If anybody spreads tsismis about me, it won’t affect me at all because I know who I am, I know what I’m really like.

"If the tsismis is not true, just forget it. I don’t care what people say because I know myself better than they do."

Queenie eventually did go into acting, appearing in Totoy Bato top-billed by her father Robin in 2009, Wansapanataym(2010), and Turn: My Pledge of Love(2011).

Read:Queenie Padilla excited about her first TV project "Totoy Bato"

CHOOSING FAITH OVER CAREER

Queenie's tenure in showbiz was short-lived as she became disillusioned with the lifestyle and demands of the industry.

In 2013, news outlets stated that Queenie had quit the entertainment business to become a devout Muslim.

It's worth noting that Queenie was a Muslim even before entering the entertainment business.

In fact, it was observed that Queenie was wearing the hijab—a head covering worn by some Muslim women in public—during the time she was sending feelers out to join showbiz.

Both her parents are Muslim, with Robin converting to Islam in the 90s while serving time in prison for illegal possession of firearms.

Read:

Did these celebrities change religion for love?

Robin Padilla recalls life in prison: "Walang nagreklamo diyan na ako'y nag-VIP treatment."

But religion to Queenie and her siblings, owing perhaps to their youth at the time, was the least of their concerns as adolescents.

In an article published on PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) on March 22, 2011, Queenie's mom Liezl expressed concern for the way her daughters, the other one was Kylie Padilla who also joined showbiz, were dressing up—both being in the spotlight.

Read:Liezl Sicangco wants daughters Queenie and Kylie Padilla to return to Muslim faith

Liezl told PEP.ph, "Gusto ko lang sana iparating sa dalawa kong anak, Kylie at Queenie, na bumalik na sila sa pagka-Muslim.

"Sa nakikita ko kasi, hindi nakakabuti sa mga anak ko ang pag-aartista kung di rin naman sila nakakasunod sa kagustuhan ng Panginoong Allah.

"Mabuti pa dati nung Muslim sila, hindi ko nakikitang naka-mini-skirt sila. Hindi ko na kasi nagustuhan ang ayos nila ngayon."

Liezl would soon get her wish.

Unknown to many, Queenie, despite initial claims that she was enjoying her life as a celebrity, was feeling unhappy about the glamorous yet cutthroat world of show business.

Read:Queenie Padilla denies she was hospitalized because of diet pills

A pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj in November 2011 paved the way for Queenie to get reacquainted with her Islamic faith, describing the experience as a "rebirth."

Hajj is the annual Islamic sacred event hosted in Mecca. It gathers Muslims from around the world to express solidarity with each other and symbolizes equality in the eyes of Allah.

It is mandatory for all Muslims, provided that they are physically capable, to participate in the pilgrimage at least once in their lives.

"Islam is a way of life," Queenie told ABS-CBN News, announcing her departure from showbiz.

"When you start to [become a] Muslim, you know [what] your life purpose really is.

"I am such a sinful person, but Allah invited me to his house. I am so close to him."

Reflecting on her time in the limelight, Queenie said, "When I was in showbiz, I was very unhappy."

Queenie disclosed that she left showbiz "about eight months ago'" and expressed feeling lost, as if she never truly belonged while working in the industry.

She further said, "But now that Allah is in my life, Alhamdullilah, La illa illalah, I am so happy and content in my life."

Queenie adopted the Muslim name "Khadija."

PHOTO: QP (Instagram)

In an interview with the Arab News published a month after joining the Hajj, Queenie described showbiz as "a deceiving dream."

She remembered Robin telling her to "wear a hijab and pray" when she first arrived in the Philippines from Australia.

"But I didn't know why I was praying," she reminisced.

"I was ignorant about Islam and about being Muslim. At that time I hadn't yet tasted the sweetness of faith. I think that's why I was misguided."

QUEENIE PADILLA FALLS IN LOVE

In June 2015, Queenie revealed that she tied the knot in 2012 and was residing abroad.

Writing in her blog, Queenie did not divulge the identity of her husband.

While she made no mention of her country of residence, it was reported that she was based in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Once again, Queenie looked back on her time in showbiz, stating, "I wasn’t fond of the pretentiousness of the glitz, glamour and the masquerades.

"Being an introvert I never did like to socialize or share my whole life on TV.

"But I guess I had to learn to fit in though I detested it. It always made me so inarticulate since I was and still a very private person."

Read:Ejay Falcon on Queenie Padilla: "Parang hindi ko pa nararamdaman na ligawan siya."

It was later revealed that she got married to Pakistani national Usama Mir.

Queenie with her Pakistani husband Usama Mir.

Read:Queenie Padilla slams "body odour comments" against Pakistani husband

Robin met Usama for the first time in March 2017 when the couple visited the Philippines for a vacation.

Apparently, Robin and Usama get along well as seen in the photos posted by the latter on social media.

Usama Mir (right) with his father-in-law, Senator Robin Padilla (left) / PHOTO: usama_syllogist (Instagram)

Queenie and Usama have made multiple visits to the Philippines, often taking the time to visit the Senate office of RobIn during their stay.

Usama Mir (left) with father-in-law and Senator Robin Padilla (middle), and Queenie Padilla (right) / PHOTO: usama_syllogist (Instagram)

BECOMING A MOM

On July 25, 2017, Queenie revealed giving birth to a baby girl they named Mikailah.

Read:Queenie Padilla shows baby bump on Instagram

Wrote Queenie on Instagram, "I just got discharged from the hospital last night. Please make du’a for my fast recovery.

"My husband already announced that we have been blessed by Allah with a baby girl."

Read:

Queenie Padilla gives birth to a baby girl

Queenie Padilla hits netizens criticizing her for not showing daughter's face

The couple, who met online and through social media, gave the public a glimpse of their life together in a video posted on YouTube in March 2018.

Said Usama about the ingredients of a successful marriage: "There [are] a lot of factors that can make a marriage successful... the key element is mutual understanding.

"Like if there is no understanding, there is no love. If there is no understanding, there is no respect.

"And the respect is the first step to fall in love with someone. You have to respect [each other's] perspective."

PHOTO: usama_syllogist (Instagram)

Navigating cultural differences, a common challenge in interracial marriages, was a common issue for the two.

Usama remarked, "Like when she feels like something weird happened, I explain to her.

"Application of that thing is different here as compared to your culture. I try to make her understand that it's not the same as you think."

QUEENIE'S POST-SHOWBIZ ACTIVITIES

Queenie didn't entirely fade into obscurity following her departure from showbiz.

She launched a business called "QP" that sells hijabs, dresses, midi tops, and kimonos online.

In 2019, Queenie was appointed as ambassador of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, allowing her to speak about Islam in various colleges.

One of the places Queenie visited was Marawi, the site of the 2017 bloody five-month siege involving the military and terrorists affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, or ISIS).

Read:Celeste Cortesi recounts experience visiting Marawi City

Said Queenie after talking to local women who experienced the war, "It’s heartbreaking, at the same time inspiring because you can feel their strength and resilience to keep moving forward."

Meanwhile, Robin proudly congratulated her daughter for her new role.

He wrote on Instagram on February 23, 2019: "Proud of you @queeniepadillarevert. Hindi nagkamali ang NCMF na kunin ka bilang kanilang Youth Peace Ambassador!

"You are an inspiration to them especially the young mothers."

During the pandemic, Queenie dabbled in video game streaming. Her YouTube channel is named "Hijabe Gamer Queen."

QUEENIE AND USAMA SEPARATE

On May 14, 2024, Queenie took to Instagram to announce her separation from Usama after years of being together as husband and wife.

Queenie wrote, "Assalamualaikum, after much thought and consideration, I have decided to separate from my husband due to irreconcilable incompatibility.

"This decision wasn’t taken overnight. It has been years and months of trying to work things out."

The statement continued, "I will always have love, honour and respect for the father of my child. He’s a great father and responsible human being.

"Although life has taken us on different paths right now, I will forever cherish the 11 years we’ve had together."

Queenie announced that she would be taking a break from social media. She also posted on her Instagram Stories the song "Fix You" by Coldplay.