BB Gandanghari (born Rustom Cariño Padilla on September 4, 1967) is a talented Filipino-American actress, model, entertainer, comedian, and director.

Born into a prominent showbiz family in Quezon City, Philippines—as the elder sibling of action star Robin Padilla—she began her career as a matinee idol and action star in the 1980s and ’90s, appearing in films like Ngayon at Kailanman (1992) and hosting the Philippine Wheel of Fortune.

Early Life & Education

BB Gandanghari was born Rustom Cariño Padilla on September 4, 1967, at Santa Ana Hospital in Manila, Philippines, and grew up primarily in Quezon City and Manila.

She is Filipino with Tagalog, Kapampangan, and Ilocano ancestry, was raised Roman Catholic, and later became a born-again Christian while living in the United States in the early 2000s.

She is the child of actor-director and former Camarines Norte governor Roy Padilla Sr. (1931–2001) and actress and former beauty queen Eva Cariño-Padilla (Lolita Eva Carino).

From her parents’ marriage, she has eight full siblings and half-siblings: Robin Padilla, Rommel Padilla, Royette Padilla, Queenie Padilla, Kylie Padilla, Zherileen Padilla, Debbie Padilla, and Carlito Padilla Jr.

Additionally, singer-actress Zsa Zsa Padilla is her half-sister from her mother’s previous relationship.

She completed elementary and high school at La Salle Greenhills in Mandaluyong, an all-boys Catholic school. She began college at Saint Louis University in Baguio City, studying Economics, but did not finish.

After moving to the United States in 2001, she later pursued filmmaking and directing courses at the University of California, Los Angeles Extension and other institutions in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Career

BB Gandanghari began her entertainment career in the mid-1980s under her birth name, Rustom Padilla. After being discovered in the 1986 Bodyshots talent search, she quickly became one of Viva Films’ prominent action stars and matinee idols.

From 1987 to 1999, she appeared in more than 40 films, frequently paired with leading actresses of the era, including Sharon Cuneta, Lorna Tolentino, and Maricel Soriano.

Among her notable works were Sa Kuko ng Agila (1987), Hindi Pahuhuli ng Buhay (1989), Walang Piring ang Katarungan (1991), Ngayon at Kailanman (1992), Mistah (1994), and Mumbaki (1996). She also collaborated often with her younger brother, Robin Padilla, in action titles like Sundo ng Kalaban (1990) and Di na Natutulog pa ang Gabi (1996).

During the 1990s, she expanded into television, hosting the Philippine edition of Wheel of Fortune from 1993 to 1995 and appearing in popular drama series such as Anna Luna (1994) and Mula sa Puso (1997). She explored comedy in films like Daddy Loves You Too (1996) and demonstrated strong dramatic range in critically praised projects such as Bilang na ang Araw Mo (1996) and Ganito Ako Magmahal (1999).

After her highly publicized marriage to actress Carmina Villarroel was annulled, she left the Philippines for the United States in 2001, stepping away from mainstream show business.

While living abroad, she worked regular jobs, embraced born-again Christianity, and studied filmmaking. Her return to the public eye came in 2006 as a celebrity housemate on Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition 1, where she gradually came out as gay on national television, marking a major personal turning point.

In 2009, she publicly transitioned as a transgender woman, legally adopting the name BB Gandanghari and undergoing gender confirmation surgery.

She resumed acting in both independent and mainstream projects, appearing in the internationally shot film The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela (2008), the Manny Pacquiao-starrer Wapakman (2009), and the indie film Condo (2009), which received critical praise. She later appeared in the 2012 romantic drama Of All the Things alongside Aga Muhlach and Regine Velasquez.

From 2010 onward, she shifted her focus primarily to directing, producing, and advocacy work in the United States. She directed the short film Sign (2017) and participated in various American independent productions and stage readings.

In 2016, she briefly returned to Philippine television as a judge on the transgender beauty competition The Transform, and later appeared in Los Angeles fashion events, walking for Filipino designers.

Personal Life

BB Gandanghari, born Rustom Cariño Padilla on September 4, 1967, is 58 years old.

She was married once, to actress Carmina Villarroel, with their relationship beginning on June 24, 1992, followed by a civil wedding on June 4, 1994, in Caloocan; they separated in September 1997, and the marriage was annulled in June 2002 by the Pasig Court.

As Rustom, who identified as male at the time, Carmina was her wife, but after transitioning in 2009, Gandanghari has had no known husbands or subsequent marriages and is currently single. She has no children from that marriage or otherwise.

Gandanghari stands at 5 feet 11 inches tall. Her dating history includes a prominent relationship with Carmina Villarroel, leading to marriage, as well as pre-transition romances with Rustom, including an alleged affair with a famous male actor, which she has referenced in interviews.

Post-transition, she has spoken about past boyfriends, including at least one actor ex, in a 2025 appearance on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, though specific names and details remain private in public records. She also described plans in 2021 to discuss ex-boyfriends in a one-woman show.

Net Worth

BB Gandanghari, a Filipino-American actress, model, entertainer, and director, has an estimated net worth of $100,000 to $1 million.

This figure primarily stems from her prolific career in Philippine cinema and television during the 1980s and 1990s, during which she starred in over 40 films and hosted shows such as Wheel of Fortune.

Post-transition in 2009 and relocation to the U.S., her earnings have been more modest, supplemented by independent film projects, directing (e.g., short film Sign in 2017), advocacy work, and occasional gigs such as Uber driving and caregiving.

Recent milestones, including her 2025 summa cum laude graduation from the Los Angeles Film School, may bolster future opportunities in filmmaking.

Filmography

Films (Acting Roles)

Sa Kuko ng Agila (1987) – Lead action role

Hindi Pahuhuli ng Buhay (1989) – Lead

Sundo ng Kalaban (1990) – Co-lead with Robin Padilla

Onyong Majikero (1991) – Supporting

Walang Piring ang Katarungan (1991) – Lead

Magnong Rehas (1992) – Lead

Narito ang Puso Ko (1992) – Lead

Ngayon at Kailanman (1992) – Dags de Leon (lead opposite Lorna Tolentino)

Hanggang Saan Hanggang Kailan (1993) – Lead

Kapag Iginuhit ang Hatol ng Puso (1993) – Raoul (lead)

Mistah (1994) – 2nd Lt. Flavier (co-lead with Robin Padilla)

Hindi Magbabago (1994) – Dennis (lead)

Mumbaki (1996) – Lead

Bilang na ang Araw Mo (1996) – Lead dramatic role

Di na Natutulog pa ang Gabi (1996) – Co-lead with Robin Padilla

Daddy Loves You Too (1996) – Comedy role

Mula sa Puso (1997) – Supporting (film adaptation elements)

Bilib Ako Sa’yo (1999) – Lead

Ganito Ako Magmahal (1999) – Lead

Yamashita: The Tiger’s Treasure (2001) – Supporting

ZsaZsa Zaturnnah Ze Moveeh (2006) – Ada (gay salon owner, first post-hiatus role)

The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela (2008) – Supporting (transgender-themed)

Wapakman (2009) – Supporting with Manny Pacquiao

Condo (2009) – Lead in indie drama

Happy Hearts (2007) – Enrico (supporting)

Of All the Things (2012) – Supporting with Aga Muhlach

Television (Acting and Hosting)

Lunch Date (1986–1993) – Host (as Rustom Padilla)

Valiente (1992–1997) – Dr. Albert Rosales

17 Bernard Club (1992–1994) – Herself (host)

Wheel of Fortune (Philippine edition, 1993–1995) – Host

GMA Telesine Specials (1993) – Various roles

Anna Luna (1994) – Supporting

Mula sa Puso (1997) – Supporting

La Vendetta (2007) – Alfie Camba (also writer)

Super Inggo 1.5: Ang Bagong Bangis (2008) – Super Inday’s alter ego (guest)

Eva Fonda (2008–2009) – Patricia “Patty” Rosal (50 episodes)

SRO Cinemaserye: Rowena Joy (2009) – Frannie

Obra (2009) – Franny (4 episodes)

Your Song (2006) – Guest in “Pwede Ba?” episode (main role in segment)

Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition 1 (2006) – Housemate (reality TV appearance)

Enchanted Garden (2015) – Michiko Helfora (113 episodes)

GLOW (2019) – Patricia (guest)

Metro Manila Film Festival Gabi ng Parangal (2022) – Host

Sarah G. Live (2012) – Guest

Cool Center (2009) – Guest

Directing and Other Credits

Sign (2017) – Director (short film)

La Vendetta (2007) – Writer (TV series)