“I Was Losing Myself”: Elisse Joson Opens Up About Her Breakup With McCoy de Leon and Choosing Peace Over Pain (NH)

“I Was Losing Myself”: Elisse Joson Opens Up About Her Breakup With McCoy de Leon and Choosing Peace Over Pain

In a rare and candid interview, actress Elisse Joson has finally broken her silence about the end of her relationship with actor McCoy de Leon. For months, the public has speculated about the cause of their separation, with fans hoping for clarity about what led to the quiet unraveling of one of the most beloved real-life love teams in Philippine showbiz.

Now, in her own words, Elisse has shared the emotional journey she endured—one that involved heartbreak, self-reflection, and the courage to walk away when staying became more painful than letting go.

“I didn’t leave because I stopped loving him. I left because I started losing myself,” she said softly, but firmly.

Her words instantly resonated with thousands, particularly women navigating their own silent battles in relationships marked not by scandal—but by slow erosion.

This article takes a close look at Elisse’s recent revelation, the context of her relationship with McCoy, and the bigger conversations her statement has sparked—about boundaries, motherhood, emotional wellness, and finding strength in solitude.

I. A Relationship That Captivated the Public

Elisse Joson and McCoy de Leon first met on Pinoy Big Brother: Lucky Season 7 in 2016. Their chemistry inside the PBB house quickly turned into a romance offscreen, earning them the fan-dubbed moniker “McLisse.”

Their relationship was not without its ups and downs. After parting ways briefly in 2018, they rekindled their love privately. In 2021, fans were surprised to learn that they had quietly welcomed a daughter, Felize, further solidifying their bond in the eyes of the public.

For a time, McLisse appeared stronger than ever—balancing showbiz careers with parenting and maintaining a relatively low-profile yet supportive relationship.

But in early 2023, fans began noticing signs that something was amiss. Joint appearances dwindled. Social media posts turned vague and reflective. Then came rumors—some suggesting infidelity, others pointing to emotional disconnect. Neither party offered an explanation at the time.

Until now.

II. The Breaking Point: Elisse Tells Her Side

In an interview aired in July 2025, Elisse spoke with calm and grace as she explained why she and McCoy decided to go their separate ways. Her demeanor was composed, but her words carried emotional weight.

“It wasn’t about one fight, one mistake. It was the growing feeling that I was slowly disappearing.”

When asked what she meant, Elisse elaborated:

“I was constantly adjusting, compromising, understanding. And I started to wonder—when will someone do that for me?”

She emphasized that the breakup wasn’t a decision made out of anger, but rather from a place of exhaustion.

“I just didn’t feel seen anymore. I felt like I was giving so much, and I wasn’t getting anything back emotionally.”

III. On McCoy de Leon: “He Tried, But We Weren’t Aligned Anymore”

When asked directly about McCoy’s role in the split, Elisse remained respectful:

“He’s not a bad person. He’s a good father. He tried in his own way. But we grew apart.”

She pointed out that differences in communication, emotional support, and priorities began to widen the gap between them.

“We started wanting different things—not just in our careers, but in life.”

She also added that their decision to keep many parts of their relationship private may have made it harder to deal with internal issues.

“We weren’t sharing our problems with anyone. So when things started to fall apart, it felt very isolating.”

IV. What About the Rumors of a Third Party?

Elisse addressed the persistent online speculation about McCoy being involved with someone else:

“I’ll be honest—I saw things that hurt me. I heard things. But I won’t confirm anything because it’s not about that. The issue wasn’t just about another person. It was about the feeling that I was no longer being prioritized.”

This nuanced take surprised many fans, who expected a more direct answer. But for Elisse, the bigger betrayal seemed to be emotional neglect, not just infidelity.

“You can be in the same room with someone every day and still feel alone.”

V. Motherhood in the Midst of Heartache

Elisse became visibly emotional when asked about her daughter, Felize:

“My biggest fear was how our breakup would affect her. But then I realized—what hurts a child more is seeing their mother constantly sad, drained, and unsure of her worth.”

She shared that Felize remains her motivation for choosing healing and that co-parenting with McCoy, while not perfect, is functional.

“We’re civil. We talk when we need to. We’re working things out slowly. The important thing is, she feels loved by both of us.”

VI. How the Public Responded

The reaction to Elisse’s interview was swift and overwhelmingly supportive:

Fans applauded her courage for speaking with honesty and without bitterness.
Women related deeply to her words about emotional fatigue and disappearing in a relationship.
Public figures posted messages of solidarity, emphasizing the importance of self-worth in romantic partnerships.

Here are some real user responses gathered from social media:

“I cried watching Elisse. You can tell she loved him but had to save herself.”

“This isn’t just a breakup story—it’s a reminder that silence can be a sign of strength.”

“More power to women like her who leave before they completely lose themselves.”

VII. McCoy de Leon’s Earlier Interview: A Contrast in Tone

It’s worth noting that just weeks before Elisse’s interview aired, McCoy also spoke publicly—confirming the breakup but offering a more general explanation:

“We had differences, and things didn’t work out. But we respect each other.”

He declined to go into detail but emphasized their co-parenting arrangement and his continued love for their daughter.

Elisse’s interview, while more revealing, did not contradict McCoy’s version but instead added emotional depth and personal clarity to the narrative.

VIII. Choosing Healing Over Closure

Interestingly, Elisse said that she and McCoy never had a dramatic, final conversation.

“There was no big fight. Just many small moments that made me realize I was no longer where I needed to be.”

She said she stopped asking for closure because “peace became more important.”

“I used to think closure came from the other person. Now I know—it comes from within.”

IX. Elisse’s New Chapter: Work, Wellness, and Self-Worth

Since the breakup, Elisse has remained busy with multiple projects, including a new film and endorsements for wellness brands.

More notably, she has been vocal about her advocacy for mental health awareness, particularly for young mothers navigating emotional stress and burnout.

“There’s no guidebook for how to be okay after heartbreak. But there is therapy, family, faith, and the reminder that you can rebuild.”

She has also been active on social media, sharing peaceful moments—nature walks, time with Felize, and journal entries focused on gratitude and healing.