Melissa Ricks says she's now ok with going sexy on primetime TV

Rachelle Siazon

<img src='' alt='012412-melissa_main.jpg' width='305' border='0' align='left' height='290'>Melissa Ricks admitted that her parents weren’t comfortable with her role in her recently-concluded teleserye, Nasaan Ka Elisa, which featured controversial themes like incest and adultery. But she was happy that her decision to be bolder in terms of acting was all worth it. “Sina mama at papa nung una hindi nila gusto yung ganon kasi siyempre I’ll always be their baby girl. Pero nakita naman nila na maraming nagkakagusto sa kwento and I’m responsible naman, so walang naging problema,” she said in an interview with ABS-CBN.com. Asked if she ever felt awkward doing her bed scenes, the 22-year-old shared that she knew what she was getting into when she accepted the project. “Nailang ako, pero ‘pag ‘5,4,3,2,1!’, go na, tapos one time big time na lang para hindi paulit-ulit yung atake.” At the same time, she was certain that her co-stars won’t take advantage of her. “Ok naman. Sobrang yung mga naging ka-eksena ko sa maseselan na scenes, sina Franco Daza at Erik Fructoso, sobrang supportive nila sa akin and alam ko naman na I’m in good hands.” Under the guidance of director Jerome Pobocan, Melissa didn’t have to resort to drinking liquor to give her courage before doing a love scene. “Ay, hindi [ko na kailangan uminom ng wine]. Si direk Jerome lang talaga nagturo sa akin. At saka yung Nasaan Ka Elisa, nung tinanggap ko, sinabi ko sa sarili ko na pagbubutihan ko. Kung magho-hold back ako, sayang naman. Alam ko kung anong kwento from the start so pumayag ako. So what I have to do is to just do my job and do it well.” As she joins ABS-CBN’s newest top-rating teleserye Walang Hanggan, Melissa is thrilled with her sexy kontrabida role as Johanna Montenegro, who has set her eyes on Daniel played by Coco Martin. “Dahil sa Nasaan Ka Elisa nakita nila yung potential ko bilang sensual na tao. And bilang bata pa si Julia Montes, yung mga hindi pa niya kayang gawin ako ang gagawa. Yung mga scenes namin ni Coco na kinukunan so far, medyo kinakabahan ako. Hindi lang dahil magaling siya na actor, dahil inaakit ko siya palagi, kaya mahirap.” Given their intimate scenes in the soap, is it possible for them to develop romantic feelings for each other? “Ay hindi. Alam ko naman si Coco, he’s very serious and focused sa trabaho niya kaya siya magaling na artista. Ang masasabi ko lang sobrang bait ni Coco at madami ako natutunan sa kanya.”

Melissa Ricks shares it took time for her parents to accept her decision to pursue bolder roles on TV.

Melissa Ricks says she's now ok with going sexy on primetime TV | PUSH.COM.PH