Killa Kush defends Andrea Brillantes amid claims of 'unfair advantage' on Olivia Rodrigo concert tickets
Content creator and events host Killa Kush came to the defense of Andrea Brillantes, whom some social media users have accused of having an unfair advantage in securing tickets to Olivia Rodrigo's Guts World Tour Philippine leg last Oct. 5.
In a TikTok video on Oct. 6, Kush, or Acushla Obusan in real life, noted that a lot of people, especially in the Philippines, don't know that every concert has an allocated and reserved budget for free tickets to be given to celebrities, influencers, media workers, and the organizing company's loved ones. Concert organizers also prepare for ticket giveaways to lucky fans, if ever.
Obusan pointed out that she's speaking as somebody who has worked on events and has helped plan or promote other concerts.
"There's always that set amount (of concert tickets) regardless," she said.
Obusan noted that when people "hate" certain celebrities who have access to such tickets, it's not for sale anyway as it's meant for them.
"If we set 500 tickets, 500 tickets talaga 'yun," she said. "No matter what happens, those 500 tickets will be there, whether or not influencers, celebrities, or people with connections use them or not."
Obusan noted that these personalities, who have hundreds of thousands of followers, also have a job, including writing dedicated posts about the event.
She also cited media workers like writers, photographers, or videographers who have deliverables for the event.
The content creator said they're given three to four extra tickets that their loved ones may use.
"So that they all have a good time. It's not just a work trip lang for them," she said.
"When people hate on those people for using those tickets... I don't know. I guess I don't understand the hate. Naka-allocate talaga 'yun for them," Obusan said.
Obusan clarified that she's not implying that Brillantes got her ticket for free due to alleged connections, but only sharing her perspective as somebody with experience of working for events like concerts.
"Let's say that hypothetically, it happened to them," she said. "Is it so wrong? Is it such a crime? I truly want to know."
Brillantes, who was in the concert's VIP area with her friend Bea Borres, drew mixed reactions.
Tickets to Rodrigo's concert were worth P1,500 regardless of seat but were issued to attendees at random. The seats were only revealed when fans picked the tickets up in person on Sept. 28.
Brillantes on Instagram Story shared that she came early to her queue number lane to be the first in line during the ticket claiming day.
In a follow-up story, she clarified that she wasn't bragging about her spot amid certain speculations.
"Sa aga ko pumila kaninang umaga, I ended up first in line in my queue number lane. Kaya ako lang tao nandun [because] I line up very early for it. It wasn't VIP treatment or anything magical," she said.
There was also a TikTok user who, in a now-deleted post, claimed that Brillantes secured tickets ahead of the actual ticket sale.
In a post on X on Oct. 1, Brillantes shared screenshots of her replies to the user, denying the claim as it's "impossible" for her to have the ticket ahead of Sept. 28.
"If anything, I only posted about how excited I am for the tour and how I find it funny that people keep asking me for tickets, like I'm a reseller or something," she said.
Brillantes said she understands the frustrations of some fans but doesn't see "why it's necessary" to drag her name and spread false information.
"Regardless of my 'status' or whatever," she said, "I'm also just a fan of Olivia."