Once the grand winner of X Factor Philippines, KZ Tandingan has since become a household name. Her raw vocals, genre-bending style, and fearless performances have captured the hearts of millions—not just in the Philippines, but across Asia. But lately, fans have been asking a different question. It’s no longer just about her next album or her show schedule. It’s something far more personal: Why, after years of marriage to fellow musician TJ Monterde, do they still not have a child?

And now, KZ is ready to answer.

In a rare and vulnerable interview, KZ opened up—not just as an artist or a public figure—but as a woman making a deeply personal decision in a world that won’t stop asking.

“I get the question all the time,” she admits, with a tired but gentle smile. “People ask me like it’s a to-do list. Like if I’m married, the next line must be, ‘When’s the baby?’ But life doesn’t work that way—not for everyone.”

She and TJ Monterde got married in 2020 during the pandemic, in a quiet ceremony that reflected their preference for intimacy over spectacle. And since then, they’ve been inseparable—performing, writing, traveling, dreaming.

So why no child yet?

KZ didn’t flinch when she answered. “We’re in a season of waiting,” she said. “And it’s not because we don’t want a child. It’s because we want to be ready—not just financially or physically—but emotionally, mentally, spiritually.”

She emphasized that motherhood is not something to be rushed just to meet expectations. “It’s not a trophy, it’s not a checkbox. It’s a life you bring into the world. And I refuse to do it just to please people.”

Her honesty hit deep. In a society that often defines a woman’s worth by her roles—daughter, wife, mother—KZ is rewriting the narrative. She’s reminding everyone that timelines are personal. That fulfillment doesn’t come from doing what everyone else is doing, but from knowing what’s right for you.

TJ, for his part, is completely on board. “I support her 100%,” he said in a separate interview. “Whenever she’s ready, I’ll be ready. But our marriage is whole even without a child. That’s not something we need to prove.”

They’re not trying to escape parenthood forever. In fact, TJ has written songs imagining their future child. He even revealed that they already have a name in mind—Aurora. “Named after the Northern Lights,” he said, smiling. “Something rare, something beautiful, something worth waiting for.”

It’s a sentiment that echoes in KZ’s own words. “If and when the Lord sends us a child, we’ll receive that gift with open hearts. But until then, we’re choosing to live fully where we are.”

Still, the questions continue.

KZ admits that sometimes, it gets to her. “There are days when I scroll through social media and feel the weight of it. Like I’m behind. Like I’m missing out. But then I breathe, and I remember—this is my story. And I’m allowed to write it at my pace.”

Her words have sparked a wave of support, especially from women who feel the same pressure. Some fans have thanked her for being their voice—for saying out loud what many are afraid to.

“You made me feel seen,” one follower commented on her recent post. “Thank you for showing that there’s no shame in waiting.”

And she’s right. Not every love story needs to rush into parenthood. Not every couple wants to walk the same road at the same time. And certainly, no one should be forced to explain their personal journey to strangers with loud opinions.

In fact, KZ’s clarity has only deepened her artistry. Her music in recent years has been richer, braver, more vulnerable. She sings not just to entertain, but to express what others keep hidden. “Music is my first baby,” she jokes. “And I’m still raising it.”

As the pressure mounts in public spaces—from media questions to unsolicited advice from relatives—KZ continues to stand her ground with quiet strength.

“I know who I am,” she says. “And I know what I want. If a child comes into our lives someday, it will be out of love, not pressure. Out of purpose, not panic.”

So where is KZ Tandingan now?

She’s in a place of peace. She’s choosing herself. Her marriage. Her music. Her truth. And whether that next chapter involves a baby or not, she’s already whole.

Because the real story isn’t about what she hasn’t done yet. It’s about the courage to wait. The courage to speak. And the courage to live life—on her own terms.