Maine Mendoza reveals she once confessed feelings to Alden Richards

Metro Manila, Philippines - Actress and TV host Maine Mendoza has revealed that she once confessed her feelings to ex-on-screen partner Alden Richards at the height of their celebrated “AlDub” loveteam.

In a recent podcast appearance, Mendoza recalled being open about her feelings, saying she never kept them hidden from anyone — not her colleagues, not Alden, and not their fans.

“Nainlove ako sa kanya, hindi siya nanligaw, walang ganon. Alam din niya, very vocal ako sa lahat ng tao pati kay Alden mismo. Alam ni Alden, sinabi ko sa kanya pero hindi siya nanligaw,” Mendoza said.

[Translation: I fell in love with him. He never courted me, nothing like that. He knew it, I was very vocal to everyone, even to Alden himself. Alden knew, I told him, but he didn’t court me.]

The actress recalled a private moment on a rooftop when she asked Alden directly about his feelings.

“Tinanong ko siya noon eh, ang straightforward ko naman na tao. Sabi ko, sabihin mo na sa akin ano bang nararamdaman mo for me. Ang sabi lang niya, hindi ko pwedeng sabihin sa iyo kasi mawawala ang magic,” she recounted.

[Translation: I asked him then, because I’m a straightforward person. I said, tell me what you feel for me. He only said, I can’t tell you because the magic will disappear]

Mendoza said even her fellow “Eat Bulaga” co-hosts knew she had genuine feelings for Richards at the time.

Mendoza and Richards rose to fame in 2015 as the iconic “AlDub” loveteam in the Eat Bulaga segment “Kalyeserye.”

Their unscripted chemistry sparked a cultural wave that broke television ratings records, drew millions of social media engagements, and culminated in the historic “Tamang Panahon” event at the Philippine Arena, which gathered more than 55,000 fans.

While Richards chose to preserve the onscreen “magic” rather than blur the lines with real-life romance, Mendoza admitted her confession was genuine.

Today, she is married to actor-politician Arjo Atayde, while Richards continues to thrive in acting and hosting.