Before they were starring in movies and TV shows and performing in stadiums, these stars first got the taste of the limelight through reality competition.
Related: 14 Young Filipino Stars Who Worked Completely Different Jobs Before Fame
Before stars became, well, stars, they first had to start somewhere. For a few famous faces, that meant appearing in reality competition shows. More than just shows to pass the time, these programs served as a way for people to reach their dreams, often for the first time. And in the storied history of competition show contestants in the Philippines, it included soon-to-be celebrities. These opportunities gave them the first taste of the limelight as well as a starting chapter in their future careers. Here are some famous faces and the reality competition shows you probably didn’t know they joined.
IVANA ALAWI – STARSTRUCK
Before she ruled YouTube and acting, Ivana was once a young girl hoping to break into showbiz. And one of her first attempts to do so was joining the sixth season of StarStruck, where she finished in the Top 22.
ZACK TABUDLO – THE VOICE KIDS PHILIPPINES
You would think that with the way Zack has captured the world’s attention with his music that’s equal parts savage and tender, you’d think he’d be a shoo-in for any singing competition he joins. But that wasn’t the case when he competed on The Voice Kids Philippines season one. Under Coach Bamboo, the OPM star was eliminated in the battle stages.
KYLINE ALCANTARA – STAR CIRCLE QUEST: SEARCH FOR THE NEXT KIDDIE SUPERSTARS
Oftentimes, there’s a stigma on being the first one eliminated in a competition show. But just because you went home first, doesn’t mean it will define who you become. Just take a look at Kyline Alcantara who was a contestant on Star Circle Quest: Search for the Next Kiddie Superstars. While she did make it to the Top 10 of the show, she became the Porkchop of her season, aka the first contestant to be eliminated from the show.
CRIZA TAA – PBB OTSO
While many know Criza as the GRWM queen with a outgoing personality, she was once a teen girl who competed on Pinoy Big Brother Otso. Even if she didn’t make it far into the season, she already showed viewers her fierce and bubbly persona that many people love.
MIGUEL TANFELIX – STARSTRUCK KIDS
Who says you need to win a reality competition show to be successful in showbiz? Not Miguel Tanfelix, who, before becoming Steve Armstrong in Voltes V: Legacy, was a contestant on the kid’s version of StarStruck in 2004, ultimately being a finalist and being named First Prince. A role as Young Pagaspas in Mulawin soon after kickstarted his acting career.
NIKKI DE MOURA – SUPERMODEL ME
Before she was stomping down runways as a multi-crowned beauty queen, Nikki was once an aspiring model and even competed in the sixth season of the model reality competition show SupermodelMe in 2021. Even then, she was already a force to be reckoned with as she placed first runner-up.
BINI’S GWEN AND SHEENA – PBB OTSO
PBB has a bit of a reputation for being a highkey celebrity-churner whenever a new season rolls around. Even contestants who don’t make it to the finals can still make a career in showbiz. That was the case for BINI’s Gwen and Sheena. Both were contestants on PBB Otso but were evicted later in the season.
BIANCA DE VERA – JUNIOR MASTERCHEF
These days, you can catch this young actress on shows such as 2 Good 2 Be True and Unbreak My Heart. But in 2011, Bianca found herself in a completely different field, cooking, as she was a contestant on Junior MasterChef Pinoy Edition.
MEGAN YOUNG – STARSTRUCK AND PBB CELEBRITY EDITION 2
Well before she became Miss World 2013 and even before she turned 18, Megan was already a veteran of two competition shows. First, her showbiz break came when she joined StarStruck season two, where she finished in the top six, becoming a season two avenger. Then, in 2007, she was included in the cast of the second celebrity edition of PBB, where she was eventually evicted on Day 35.
Continue Reading: No Win? No Problem: These Stars Made It Big Even After Losing A Competition Show
