FORMER Philippine figure skater Melissa Bulanhagui has opened up about her decision to enter the adult entertainment industry after stepping away from competitive skating, saying the convenience of working online played a major role in her choice.
Bulanhagui, who later used the name Jada Kai, said she had already been exposed to public attention and comments about her appearance during her skating years.
“When I was competing, I would get lots of DMs and I was very aware of what people were thinking about me,” she said in an interview with DWAR Abante Radyo’s Jigo Live.
She recalled an incident from her school years when people were already making comments about her appearance online.
“And even as an athlete, like I was on very scandalous, like there was a, there was a time until my 18th birthday and, um, people around my school were putting that on their website because they are in their MySpace because they thought it was funny,” Bulanhagui said.
As platforms such as OnlyFans became more popular, she began looking at possible employment options after her skating career.
“OnlyFans started becoming popular and Pornhub was also very popular,” she said. “So I, after like looking at all the jobs that were available for me in the area, I was like, well, it’s either doing online surveys or yeah, adult industry.”
Bulanhagui said the ability to work from home was one of the biggest factors that attracted her to the profession.
“And I can do this like right here. Like I don’t have to go anywhere for work. I can work from right here at home,” she said.
She also compared the experience to her life as a performer on the ice.
“And what drew me to this job is the convenience. And I was like, well, I still get to perform every night, but instead of being on the ice, it’s in my room. Yeah,” she said.
Her comments come years after Bulanhagui’s skating career was marked by financial difficulties, including challenges in obtaining sufficient support for training, equipment and international competition.
Bulanhagui eventually represented the Philippines and won national titles in 2012 and 2013 before retiring from competitive skating in 2015.
Reflecting on her career transition, she also addressed previous reports that connected her move into adult entertainment with the lack of government support she experienced as a skater.
“I had joined the adult industry because of lack of government support,” she said.
Bulanhagui acknowledged that she had not previously stated the connection so directly, but said the wording made her reconsider how her circumstances had shaped her career path.
“And honestly, I never said that quote out directly, but when I read that headline, I was, I was like, wait, I was like, did they just put the puzzle pieces together for me?”
She then explained how greater government assistance during her skating career might have changed the course of her life.
“Because I was like, honestly, like, if I did have a lot of government support during my skating career, I probably wouldn’t be in this position today.”
“I would not be doing the job that I chose. Like I wouldn’t be getting naked on the worldwide web, but you know, that’s what it is, yeah.” (Adrian Co)
