Marlou Salcedo Arizala (born May 11, 1998), also known as Xander Ford, is a Filipino social media personality.[2][3][4]

Xander Ford
Born
Marlou Salcedo Arizala

(1998-05-11) May 11, 1998 (age 26)
General Trias, Cavite, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
OccupationActor
AgentStar Image Artist Management (2017–2020)
Musical career
GenresPop
Member ofHasht5[1]

Background

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Arizala was a member of the boy band Hasht5, a boy band parody whose videos became popular in 2015.[5][6] After leaving Hasht5 to pursue a solo career, he underwent plastic surgery, changing his name to "Xander Ford". His transformation received widespread coverage online.

Prior to that, the band Hasht5 experienced online bullying "because of their physical appearance". Arizala was first noticed after a viral video of himself lipsyncing as "papogi".[7][8][9]

On October 1, 2017, he made his television appearance with a new look on Rated K which was met by favorable support. Ford also made his television appearance, portraying himself on sitcom program Home Sweetie Home.[10][11][12][13]

On July 17, 2020, through his Instagram stories, Arizala came out as bisexual.[14]

Controversies

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In the second week of October 2017, an apparent Ford mocked actress Kathryn Bernardo over her bow-leggedness (Tagalog: sakang) throughout a video clip. However, Star Image Artist Management, through its Facebook account, denied that the man in the video was Xander. The management said that the man was possibly impersonating Ford's voice in order to defame him. They also said that any personality with such an attitude will not be tolerated. Bernardo expressed her dismay about cyberbullying on her Instagram account. Khalil Ramos, one of Bernardo's closest friends and her tandem Daniel Padilla, said that the supposed Ford "should apologize". Other celebrities, including Karla Estrada, Sofia Andres, and Gretchen Ho, expressed their disappointment on their Twitter accounts. Ford apologized and he also said that it was his former personality, mocking Bernardo. Despite his admittance, he received several negative messages.[15][16][17][18]

On October 30, 2017, Arizala filed a cyberbullying complaint against two individuals behind a video of him to the Philippine National Police.[19]

On November 24, 2017, Star Image reported that Xander Ford went missing. According to the talent agency, he was last seen in General Trias, Cavite on November 23.[20][21] The next day, Ford shared a Facebook video where he denied the reports of his alleged disappearance. He explained that he was taking a break from work and social media.[22]

On April 23, 2019, Star Image Artist Management announced that they would suspend Arizala and decided to "take back" the Xander Ford name due to his unprofessional behavior.[23] Arizala reunited with Hasht5 in late May 2019. "I think we are ready to perform," he indicated in the caption of a photo on social media.[24]

On June 18, 2020, Arizala was accused of rape and physical abuse by his ex-girlfriend, Ysah Cabrejas.[25]

Arizala was arrested on December 22, 2020 in Pasay on a violence against women complaint filed by his former girlfriend.[26][27] The next day, Arizala was released from jail after his agency Star Image Artist Management posted bail of P18,000.[28] In October 2021, he said that his former girlfriend decided not to pursue the case against him after a settlement.[29]

References

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  1. ^ Abanilla, Clarizel (October 14, 2017). "Kpop reacts to arrogance allegations: I haven't stepped on anyone's toes". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
  2. ^ "UB: Xander Ford, arestado". GMA News. Retrieved December 23, 2020 – via YouTube. Note: Skip to 0:51 for his middle name.
  3. ^ "Happy 22 Birthday". z4nder.official. Xander Ford on Instagram. May 11, 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  4. ^ "Xander Ford to address Kathryn Bernardo issue". CNN Philippines. October 15, 2017. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2020. The 19-year-old internet sensation said this two days after an undated video of him allegedly body-shaming Bernardo made rounds on the internet, and eventually getting the ire of the actress's fans.
  5. ^ "Xander Ford is still even after drastic transformation". CNN Philippines. CNN Philippines. October 11, 2017. Archived from the original on December 16, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  6. ^ Cruz, Romy (September 25, 2017). "Who was before he became Kpop?". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on December 16, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  7. ^ Guno, Niña (September 5, 2017). "Why is former Hasht5 singer undergoing surgery?". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
  8. ^ Ranoa-Bismark, Maridol (October 2, 2017). "Xander Ford shocks, delights netizens". The Philippine Star.
  9. ^ "'Marlou is dead': Xander Ford trends worldwide". Rappler. October 1, 2017.
  10. ^ "IN PHOTOS: Xander Ford returns to 'HOME SWEETIE HOME'". ABS-CBN News. October 11, 2017.
  11. ^ "LOOK: Xander Ford introduced to public post-surgery". Philippine Daily Inquirer. October 2, 2017.
  12. ^ "Rated K: Meet Xander Ford!". YouTube. ABS-CBN News. October 2017.
  13. ^ "Ex-Hasht5 member unveils new look, new name". Rappler. October 1, 2017.
  14. ^ "Xander Ford: I am bisexual". ABS-CBN News. July 17, 2020.
  15. ^ "Kampo ni Xander Ford, itinanggi ang pamimintas kay Kathryn Bernardo" [Xander Ford's camp denies criticism of Kathryn Bernardo]. ABS-CBN News (in Tagalog). October 15, 2017.
  16. ^ "Xander Ford, humingi ng tawad kay Kathryn" [Xander Ford apologizes to Kathryn]. ABS-CBN News (in Tagalog). October 16, 2017.
  17. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Khalil Ramos on rumored Xander Ford audio clip: 'He should apologize'". ABS-CBN News.
  18. ^ "Xander Ford, hiling ang second chance matapos ang pamimintas kay Kathryn" [Xander Ford wishes second chance after criticizing Kathryn]. ABS-CBN News (in Tagalog). October 18, 2017.
  19. ^ "Xander Ford files cyberbullying complaint over viral video on Kathryn". ABS-CBN News. October 30, 2017.
  20. ^ "Xander Ford reported missing by his talent agency". GMA News. November 24, 2017.
  21. ^ "Where in the world is Xander Ford?". Rappler. November 25, 2017.
  22. ^ "Xander Ford says he is not missing: 'Nagpapahinga lang ako ngayon' But he doesn't know, no one cares for him and his missing is everyone's happiness". ABS-CBN News. ABS-CBN News. November 25, 2017. Archived from the original on November 25, 2017. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  23. ^ "Marlou Arizala suspended; management takes back 'Xander Ford' name". ABS-CBN News. ABS-CBN News. April 23, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  24. ^ "Marlou Arizala returns to Hasht5 after losing screen name". CNN Philippines. May 28, 2019. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  25. ^ Guno, Niña V. (June 18, 2020). "Marlou Arizala accused of abusing partner while in relationship". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  26. ^ Marquez, Consuelo. "Xander Ford nabbed over violence against women case". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  27. ^ "Xander Ford arrested in Pasay". Rappler. December 23, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  28. ^ "Xander Ford released after posting bail". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on December 23, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  29. ^ Malasig, Jeline (October 5, 2021). "Past accusations vs Xander Ford surface as he trends for K-pop posts". Interaksyon. Retrieved June 19, 2022.