StarStruck is the first, the original and perhaps the most successful reality-based artista search in Philippine TV. This competition lasted for seven seasons including the one for StarStruck Kids. The reality show launched the career of some of the brightest stars in the country today.
The recent reunion of StarStruck Batch 1 in GMA Network’s newest talk variety show ‘Basta Everyday Happy’ gave their loyal fans a chance to check on the lives of these former celebrity aspirants. Below’s a quick glimpse on what happened to StarStruck Season 1 graduates after the show gave them their much-awaited shot in the limelight.
Jennylyn Mercado is undoubtedly the most successful in the first batch. Finishing the competition as the Ultimate Female Survivor, Jennylyn turned out to be one of the country’s best dramatic actress. She currently stars in the top-rating Kapuso primetime series ‘Rhodora X’.
Mark Herras was crowned as StarStruck Season 1’s Ultimate Male Survivor. His talent in dancing earned him the title ‘Badboy of the Dancefloor’ and a mainstay of GMA’s variety shows starting from the now defuncts ‘SOP,’ ‘SOP Gigsters’ and ‘Party Pilipinas’ to the current Sunday musical variety show ‘Sunday All Stars.’
Cristine Reyes was the second to be included in the first batch’s Avengers. Being one of the first to be eliminated in the competition, Cristine climbed her way to stardom after consistently getting mature roles specially when she joined ABS-CBN in 2008.
Nadine Samonte was immediately groomed to be a dramatic actress right after graduating from StarStruck. She starred in multiple afternoon drama series in GMA but later on decided to join the growing Kapatid Network, TV5. She’s now rumorred to return to her home network after three years with TV5.
Yasmien Kurdi ended up as the season’s First Princess and eventually crowned as GMA Drama Princess for her multiple hit drama series in the Kapuso Network. At the peak of her career, Yasmien decided to take a hiatus in showbiz to focus on her studies and later on returned to showbiz after giving birth.
Katrina Halili was casted as a sexy villain in various GMA TV series including ‘Darna,’ ‘Majika’ and ‘Marimar.’ She also bagged FHM Philippines’ Sexiest Woman for two straight years – 2006 and 2007. After a video scandal involving her and Hayden Kho, Katrina’s career eventually slow down.
Sheena Halili has been getting supporting roles after the competition but her most notable to date was when she played Monica in the hit primetime remake of ‘Marimar’. She was even offered to be a Regal contract star after the soap ended. Sheena’s now taking mother roles in her recent projects still with GMA.
Rainier Castillo completed the season’s Final Four as the First Prince. His ‘killer smile’ and F4 hairstyle easily earned him thousands of fans. Soon after being casted in multiple shows in GMA, Rainier signed a three-year contract with TV5 but is still struggling to get a new break.
Dion Ignacio is consistently getting projects with GMA and is seemed to be satisfied with supporting roles. He was tapped to be in a leading man post in the afternoon drama ‘Magdalena’ opposite Bela Padilla but was not given a follow up role after doing so. At least, he’s loyalty with GMA is continuously being paid off as he’s still seen in various shows every now and then.
Tyron Perez initially started as one of the teen hosts of ‘Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman’ before getting his big break with StarStruck. Upon graduating, Tyron then starred in indie films ‘Twilight Dancers’ and ‘Pipo’. He also joined ABS-CBN in 2010 but his career ended when he committed suicide in 2011.
Jade Lopez never really had a big break after StarStruck. The roles that she’s been getting are minor ones that people won’t care to remember. Still, Jade is blessed to get projects both from GMA and TV5.
Alvin Aragon was the first to be eliminated in the competition and never had a chance to showcase his talents. After StarStruck, he got embroiled in a lot of troubles and fathered a child with his then non-showbiz girlfriend. He’s now happily married to a former Sex Bomb dancer Izzy Trazona.
Christian Esteban had a short-lived showbiz career. After StarStruck, he starred in a few shows and has since quit the industry.
Anton dela Paz quit showbiz after a few years of getting minor roles. In his most recent interview, Anton commented that he finds showbiz as ‘unstable.’
Si jennylyn the most successful? mas marami pa ngang primetime na nagawa si BERNAL at ABELLANA! Sarap ibato sa pagmumuka mo ang 6 na plake ni Mark na dalawang beses lang naman naging DOUBLE PLATINUM! Punyeta ka!
How come na si Jennylyn ang pinakasuccessful? Hindi nga yan pinagconcert ng GMA unlike Mark Herras sa 21st birthday niya last 2007. Marami lang bad issues si Mark pero soya ang pinakasuccessful kasi marami na siyang top rated soaps ng wala si Jen, 2x Double platinum awardee pa sya, ilang beses din sya nagkaroon ng victory party from GMA such top rated Hiram Na Puso, yung performance nya sa dolphy tribute etc.. Kung fan ka ni Jennylyn, wag mo bastusin ang narating ni Mark, kung walang offended write ups si Jen doesnt mean na sikat sya, di lang sya worth na pag.usapan, lahat ng nilalait ng mga press ay makikita mo sa A-Listers kasi mga top actresses at top performers na pinipilit hinahatak pababa.. kaya wag kang assuming diyan na si Jen ang pnaksuccessful dahil mas nkarami pang primetime shows si Mark kesa sa kanya! Tapos yung upcoming concert pa nya di pa suportado ng network, gusto mo screenshot ng tweets ni Robby Taroza na hndi daw suportado ng GMA yung concert nya? hahaha
anong problema nung dalawang naunang nagcomment….kung fan kayo ni Mark e di sumulat din kayo ng tungkol sa kanya
Jen is not the most successful. .successful oo but not the most…I think mas successful si Chiristine..judging sa movies na ginawa nya and shows..
Jen is not the most successful. .successful oo but not the most…I think mas successful si Chiristine..judging sa movies na ginawa nya and shows..
Just my opinion..
Lols pinaka sikat at pinaka madaming nagawa si christine sa kanilang lahat… successful movie and hit shows…
for me c jen pa rin, kc sya lang ang pnka stable ang career sa lahat ng starstruck sa totoo lng, nsama n rin sya sa bir top paying tax celebrity nun..
Lam nio pala n successful ung mga idol nio eh bkt pngccgawan nio p en naninira p kau. If successful ung mga idol nio manahimik kau ng nd kau napapahiya.. Okie 🙂 be happy
ang funny niyo sa totoo lang….. c christine reyes ang pinaka sikat sa knilang lahat, sa totoo lang yang mga nasa 7 walang kwenta hanggang dun lang ang career nila, pwede ba, hindi nman kilala yung mga movies na nagawa nila
para saken miguel tanfelix nlang mas pogi pa siya dahil cute siya mabait at mahinhin. kahit alam ko nkita ko siya sa park at naghi sa kanya. idol ko siya sobra