From Jane de Leon, Anji Salvacion, Alexa Ilacad, and more, 2022 was their year as they got to enjoy their deserved breakthrough moment.
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Every year always produces its set of main characters. These were the people who not only had an amazing twelve months but were on everyone’s lips. When you look back on the year, these people were the ones that shined brighter than others. And that is something the following celebrities can relate to.
While nearly all of them were used to being in the public spotlight, 2022 proved to be that year where they finally jumped from being just an artista in the background into their own acclaim. 2022 was the year their time came as they finally got to break through the noise to establish themselves as ones to watch out for. These stars had their main character moment, and we couldn’t be happier for them.
JANE DE LEON
Before 2022, Jane de Leon had a good career in showbiz though she wasn’t exactly a household name to many. That changed this year when Jane embodied a career-changing role, the new Darna. While the announcement of Jane playing Darna was met with criticism, she has gone on to silence most of the haters with her portrayal of the character. Ever since the series began airing last August, Jane has garnered positive reviews as the new Darna, proving that she is more than worthy of the role. There’s also the fact that Jane is one-half of 2022’s most unexpected love team, JaneNella, which has become a cultural force of its own.
ANJI SALVACION
Pinoy Big Brother is a show that can change lives and jumpstart careers. This is something that Anji Salvacion knows all too well after she was crowned the big winner of the most recent season. While Anji was no stranger to the stage (she’s a regular on ASAP and a member of the Squad Plus), winning PBB brought the young musician to a new level of fame and with it, a legion of fans who fell in love with her wit, humor, beauty, and talent.
Aside from winning the show, Anji got to have her own solo digital concert, release her debut EP, get us in our feels with Dalampasigan, and had fans talking about her friendship with Brent Manalo. While 2022 was her breakthrough, 2023 looks to continue that momentum with Anji heading to the acting world with her role in an upcoming teleserye.
BARBIE FORTEZA
Barbie is a true veteran of the industry, having starred in numerous telesryes over the years. But 2022 finally made people see Barbie for the talented actress that she is. And that is all thanks to the year’s surprise hit, Maria Clara at Ibarra where Barbie plays the lead role of Klay. While some of Barbie’s past roles have been remembered more for their meme worthiness, Klay is different. She’s funny, smart, independent, brave, and more and Barbie brings all that to life. Barbie Forteza is the full package and people were finally able to see that with Klay.
ALEXA ILACAD
Alexa Ilacad has been a constant presence on our screens since her days on Goin’ Bulilit. But appearing in the most recent season of Pinoy Big Brother proved to be that boost even she wasn’t expecting. Alexa getting eliminated at the end of 2021 primed them for success this 2022. Not only were we blessed with the love team that was KDLex, but it turned Alexa into a Gen Z it girl and her numerous projects and accomplishments are proof of that. And a stint in musical theater and multiple new shows means that Alexa is staying booked and busy into the new year.
KD ESTRADA
Here comes PBB with changing lives once again. While KD Estrada was evicted from the house, his time on the show proved more than enough for people to fall in love with the young singer. With his eviction in late 2021, 2022 was the time for KD, and his love team partner Alexa Ilacad, to really blow up. KDLex was the breakout love team of 2022 while KD is no longer seen as just a singer on ASAP. Multiple singles, a fancon, and a digital series were all in KD’s bag. And that momentum doesn’t look to slow down as we enter 2023.
DAVID LICAUCO
Having that one hit show can really change your life, just ask David Licauco. Despite being in the industry for around six years, David was mostly on the sidelines and didn’t come top of mind in terms of GMA’s new-gen actors. That is until Maria Clara and Ibarra came around. David’s role as walking red flag turned green flag Fidel quickly became a fan favorite.
The show’s success garnered the young actor and businessman a new level of attention as fans fall for his charms. He shared that it’s been hard for him to adjust to all the new attention, but at least, it is mostly good. The role of Fidel proved to be that breakthrough for David who we will definitely see more of in the years to come.
ACE BANZUELO
Pre-2022, Ace Banzuelo was mostly known within the indie OPM circles. While many of his tracks were often acclaimed, that didn’t automatically translate to mainstream success for the young singer-songwriter. But this year was Ace’s time in the spotlight as his 2020 track Muli, went viral on TikTok before eventually climbing the Spotify streaming charts. The song has gone on to accumulate a massive 56 million streams and become a mainstay in the Top 50 chart. From one of OPM’s best secrets to a rising star, Ace Baznuelo has nowhere to go but up.
DOLLY DE LEON
Dolly de Leon’s career is a manifestation of the idea that your time will eventually come. A veteran of the theater and the screen, Dolly is an actress you probably have seen but can’t quite put a name on the face. For years, she got side roles and supporting characters that usually didn’t give her much time in the spotlight. Then the Swedish came calling aka director Ruben Ostlund and Dolly was cast in the career-changing role of Abigail in Triangle of Sadness.
Not only is her performance in the film critically acclaimed and the film’s press campaign given Dolly much-deserved love, but there’s a strong chance that she could make history as the first Filipino to win an Oscar. We feel that the days of Dolly de Leon getting ignored are now over.
Continue Reading: 22 Artists Who You Need To Have On Your Radar This 2022
