These stars ate, chewed, and tore their way through 2023 and had their deserved recognition as the main characters in the spotlight.
Related: 8 Local Stars Who Finally Got Their Much-Deserved Breakthrough This 2022
As 2023 reaches its definitive conclusion, many of us begin to enter that period of reflection as we look back on the year that was, the good, the bad, and everything in between. But while some would rather forget the past twelve months, these following stars can probably say they had an amazing year. Some are new on the scene, others have been in the industry for years, but they can all bask in how their 2023 was nothing short of fantastic. 2023 was the year their time came as they finally got to break through the noise and had their well-deserved main character moment. Scroll down for the Filipino artists who really did the thing.
DENISE JULIA
INSTAGRAM/DENISEJVLIA
If 2022 was the year Denise Julia went viral thanks to her hit NVDM, 2023 was when she proved that she was no one-hit-wonder. With the release of her debut album, Sweet Nothings, (Chapter 1), Denise established herself as a rising morena pop/R&B girl with bops that stormed the charts. Add to that her other achievements this year, such as a slew of international performances, and Denise is making the rounds as that girl to watch out for. Oh, and she did all this as an independent artist. Bow down to the patron saint of situationships.
KAILA ESTRADA
INSTAGRAM/KAILAESTRADA
Sometimes, all it takes is just one role, even one scene, to get your name on everyone’s lips. Just look at Kaila Estrada. Thanks to her viral confrontation scene on Linlang, the actress landed on the radar of many netizens with her scene-stealing performance and acclaimed acting. The fact that this went down while she also starred in Can’t Buy Me Love was a nice bonus as people saw just how good of an actress she is. Kaila, who has only been acting for a few years, quickly established herself as an actress to watch out for. 2023 was the year she definitively arrived.
LOLA AMOUR
INSTAGRAM/LOLAAMOURPH
If you closely followed the OPM scene, Lola Amour would be a familiar name. The OPM band has been at it for years. But 2023 was arguably their biggest yet with the smash hit that was Raining in Manila. The song was an inescapable smash that even global stars like BamBam and ENHYPEN were fans of. Add the continued viral success of Fallen, Lola Amour scored a one-two punch that rocketed them to the top of the charts.
M1SS JADE SO
INSTAGRAM/M1SSJADESO
The moment the Meet The Queens video for M1ss Jade *tongue pop* So dropped, she was destined to be a star. Her run on Season 2 of Drag Race Philippines was iconic, to say the least as her Top 4 finish saw M1ss Jade marching to the beat of her own drum all while championing transgender rights and representation. There’s a reason why the power top na bratzy ng Marikina City is one of the most followed queens from Drag Race PH. Looks, attitude, personality, advocacies, and more, M1ss Jade is the baddest esoteric Bratz doll who commands audiences wherever she goes.
XYRIEL MANABAT
INSTAGRAM/XYRIELMANABAT_
As a former child actress, Xyriel Manabat is no stranger to the bright lights of showbiz. But after an extended hiatus to focus on her studies, it seemed as if Xyriel’s time in the spotlight was over. That, as we all know, did not last as the actress came back with a vengeance this 2023. She started the year right in the TV series Dirty Linen as Antonette Pavia, a role that garnered her critical praise.
Later in the year, she took on the role of Roxy Cristobal in the mystery teen drama Senior High. As is typical for many roles she takes on, Xyriel was routinely praised by netizens for her standout performance. She had the best comeback this year and solidified her status as one of the best actresses of her generation.
MICHELLE DEE
INSTAGRAM/MICHELLEDEE
Believe it or not, when Michelle Dee was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2023, social media was divided on her win. You wouldn’t have noticed it though during her Top 10 finish at Miss Universe Philippines. While she didn’t take home the crown, she might as well with the fan fervor that has surrounded Michelle since. Her years-long journey in pageantry led to 2023 as she gave it her all, and it paid off in dividends as she won the hearts of many with her performance, not to mention her tandem with Miss Universe Thailand Anntonia Porsild, affectionately known as PorDee. Michelle made her mark this year as she continues to soar even higher.
SUNKISSED LOLA
INSTAGRAM/SUNKISSEDLOLAMUSIC
Having the most streamed song in the country just a couple of years from your debut is the dream for many artists. But for SunKissed Lola, it’s their reality after Pasilyo became everyone’s favorite romantic track of 2023. While the song dropped at the end of 2022, it was the following year that the single really took on a life of its own, where it eventually became the most-streamed song on Spotify Philippines. By the way, the Filipino rock band from Olongapo City did all that less than two years after their formation. You can bet when the band drops a new project or record, we’ll be ready to stream.
JENNICA GARCIA
INSTAGRAM/JENNICAGARCIAPH
As hard as it is to believe, we almost lived in a timeline where Jennica Garcia was going to quit acting and become an OFW. But she decided to give it one last chance and auditioned for Dirty Linen, and clearly, she made the right decision. Her stint on the show garnered rave reviews and pushed the actress into the forefront of stardom. 2023 was lowkey her career revival as Jennica showed the world that she was not an actress to sleep on. Who knows what other exciting acting projects she’ll take on in 2024 and beyond?
TAYLOR SHEESH
X/HEYMACYOU
If you told us at the start of the year that a Taylor Swift impersonator from the Philippines would become a breakout star known worldwide, we might just believe you. Taylor Sheesh is a drag queen and Swiftie mainly known for her impersonation of the pop superstar. And thanks to performances at Taylor Swift listening parties and Eras Tour recreations in the Philippines that went viral on social media, Taylor Sheesh became a viral sensation who has made new fans in all four corners of the world.
Thanks to her passion, dedication, and love for Taylor Swift, Taylor Sheesh got to perform in Singapore, appear on national TV, meet big stars like Bretman Rock, and more. But more than just her impersonation of the pop superstar, Taylor Sheesh is also a talented drag queen in her own right who deserves the platform to shine as the queen that she is. Taylor better give her the 22 hat when she attends the Eras Tour in Singapore next March. And, more importantly,
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