Pinoy celebrities who had failed attempts in reality shows

Did you know that Maine Mendoza first tried to join a reality show of ABS-CBN before becoming one of Eat Bulaga‘s most bankable hosts?

Eat Bulaga! is the longest-running noontime show aired in rival network GMA-7.

Just like Maine, her love team partner Alden Richards and ABS-CBN actress Nadine Lustre also tried their luck by joining reality shows.

Even though they did not win in a reality show, they eventually became bankable actors and actresses.

Indeed, timing is crucial in getting a stable career in show business.

PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) lists down 16 celebrities who failed to enter the final round of a reality search, but are now making a mark in showbiz.

MAINE MENDOZA

Before becoming the phenomenal Yaya Dub of Eat Bulaga, Maine tried her luck by auditioning to be part of Pinoy Big Brother: 737 in 2015.

This was the same batch that produced Barbie Imperial, Ylona Garcia, Miho Nishida, Bailey May, and Jameson Blake.

During the audition, Maine revealed that she was already doing Dubsmash videos.

However, Maine did not make it to the final cut, as revealed by ABS-CBN TV Production Head Lauren Dyogi in his vlog last June 6.

In July 2015, or a month after PBB 737 aired its pilot episode, Maine became a TV sensation by doing Dubsmash on Eat Bulaga. This eventually paved the way for her to display surprise chemistry with Alden Richards.

This gave birth to the love team of AlDub.

In a span of three years, Maine did several projects together with Alden: the 2016 movie Imagine You and Me and the 2017 teleserye Destined To Be Yours.

Though it has yet to be confirmed, recent reports indicate that Maine and Alden are set to do separate projects.

There are those speculating that Maine’s next big project is a Metro Manila Film Festival entry that will be top-billed by Coco Martin and Vic Sotto.

For now, Maine and Alden are still doing production numbers together in Eat Bulaga.

Photo by: Pinoy Big Brother (ABS-CBN) / @mainedcm on Instagram

NADINE LUSTRE

An audition video that surfaced online revealed that Nadine once tried her luck to be a housemate in Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Clash 2010.

It was the same edition that launched the career of its Big Winner, James Reid.

At that time of audition, Nadine was already a VIVA Artist, and a member of the dance group Pop Girls. However, she failed to make it to the Big Brother house.

Nadine still appeared in several VIVA movies and commercials.

In 2014, Nadine was tapped to play the lead role in Diary ng Panget, where she was paired with James. They formed the JaDine love team and later on became a real-life couple.

Nadine and James are gearing up for a new teleserye, after releasing their movie Never Not Love You in March 2018.

Photo by: Pinoy Big Brother (ABS-CBN) / @nadine on Instagram

ALDEN RICHARDS

In 2009, Alden Richards–Richard Faulkerson, Jr. in real life–tried his luck in the fifth edition of Starstruck.

His StarStruck journey ended when he reached the Top 60.

Alden then auditioned for Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Clash of 2010, but failed to make it to the final list of housemates. James Reid won in this edition.

In late 2010, Alden was invited to audition for a role in an upcoming afternoon series of GMA-7.

This proved to be Alakdana, a 2011 series top-billed by Louise Delos Reyes. Their love team would bear three more TV projects: the teleseryes My Beloved (2012), One True Love (2012), and Mundo Mo’y Akin (2013).

In 2015, Alden found another love team partner in the person of Maine Mendoza, after viewers saw their chemistry in an episode of Eat Bulaga.

The AlDub love team has been given two movies and one teleserye.

Currently, Alden is gearing up for his Kapuso teleserye titled Victor Magtanggol, though it has yet to be announced if he will still be paired with Maine in this project.

For now, Alden and Maine are still co-hosts in Eat Bulaga.

Photo by: Starstuck (GMA-7) / @aldenrichards02 on Instagram

ANGELINE QUINTO

Angeline Quinto first tried her luck in show business via VIVA TV’s singing competition Star For A Night.

She made it all the way to the grand finals, but she lost the title to Sarah Geronimo.

After her stint in Star For A Night, Angeline also joined ABS-CBN’s Magandang Tanghali Bayan, via its segment “Teen Popstar.”

Angeline emerged as one of the winners, but the careers of the teen singers who joined the contest did not flourish.

In early 2010, Angeline joined GMA-7’s talent program Diz Iz It!

In October 2010, she became one of the finalists of ABS-CBN’s Star Power, hosted by Sharon Cuneta.

In February 2011, Angeline was hailed as the winner of Star Power.

After joining the contest, she was tapped to sing theme songs of ABS-CBN teleseryes, earning for her the title Queen of Teleserye Theme Songs.

Angeline also tried acting and she was chosen to top-bill her own afternoon series Kahit Konting Pagtingin in 2013 and the movies Born To Love You (2012) and Foolish Love (2017).

Currently, Angeline still performs for ASAP.

Photo by: Diz Iz It (GMA-7) / @loveangelinequinto on Instagram

BENJAMIN ALVES

In 2006, Benjamin Alves (using the screen name Vince Saldana) joined ABS-CBN and Close Up’s model search Close Up To Fame 2. He finished in second place.

Afterwards, Benjamin inked a contract with VIVA Films, allowing him to be included in movies such as Ang Cute Ng Ina Mo (2007) and Apat Dapat, Dapat Apat (2007). He was also part of QTV and VIVA’s TV program Posh in 2006.

He later left show business to focus on his studies.

In 2012, he returned to showbiz using the name Benjamin Alves, and went on to headline several teleseryes of GMA-7.

He is set to play the leading man in the upcoming drama series Kapag Nahati Ang Puso, starring Sunshine Cruz and Bea Binene.

Photo by: Close Up To Fame 2 (ABS-CBN) / @benxalves on Instagram

MORISSETTE AMON

Morissette Amon was part of TV5’s Star Factor in 2010, where she finished first runner-up.

She was later assigned to do acting projects in teleseryes of the Kapatid network.

In 2013, Morissette decided to leave TV5 and revive her career as a singer by joining ABS-CBN’s The Voice of the Philippines.

Morissette became a member of Team Sarah Geronimo but she was eliminated in the semi-finals. Mitoy Yonting emerged as the edition’s winner.

After her stint in the competition, Morissette became a regular performer in ASAP, and was part of the defunct singing group Birit Queens with Klarisse, Angeline Quinto, and Jona.

Photo by: File Photo / @itsmorissette on Instagram

JANINE BERDIN

Janine Berdin was a finalist of Star Circle Quest: Search for the Next Kiddie Superstars in 2010. Her batchmates were Clarence Delgado, Joshen Bernardo, Veyda Inoval, and Kyline Alcantara.

Despite not winning the competition, Janine was able to land supporting roles in episodes of Wansapantaym and Maalaala Mo Kaya.

Janine also auditioned for The Voice Kids and in It’s Showtime‘s segment “Tawag ng Tanghalan” Season 1, but she failed to make the cut.

In 2017, Janine tried her luck again in Tawag ng Tanghalan Season 2 and was able to join the grand finals where she was proclaimed as the ultimate champion.

Photo by: Star Circle Kid Quest (ABS-CBN) / Noel Orsal

JEROME PONCE

In an interview with Magandang Buhay in June 2016, Jerome Ponce revealed that he auditioned for Pinoy Big Brother twice.

The first was in PBB: Teen Clash of 2010, where he was already a finalist of Manila, but never received a callback.

He tried his luck again in 2012 for PBB Teen Edition 4. According to him, he already did a pictorial but he still did not make it inside the house.

Jerome still pursued his dreams and auditioned for a role in a new Kapamilya show, through fashion designer Avel Bacudio.

He got a role in the 2012 daytime series Be Careful With My Heart starring Jodi Sta. Maria and Richard Yap. It became an unexpected success and aired for more than two years on TV.

After the series, more shows landed on Jerome’s lap, with him portraying important roles in Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita (2015) and The Good Son (2017).

In 2016, Jerome entered the Big Brother house for a short time to talk to his ex-girlfriend Elisse Joson. Jerome was also featured in the May 2018 issue of YES! Magazine for its “Pogi Series” section.

Photo by: Pinoy Big Brother (ABS-CBN) / Cyrus Panganiban for YES!

ANNA LUNA

Anna Luna first gained popularity in the independent filmmaking industry, especially after portraying the daughter of Vivian Velez in the 2013 Cinema One Originals entry Bendor.

Her first attempt to penetrate showbiz happened when Anna auditioned for StarStruck in 2009. She was able to make it until the Top 100.

Years later, Bendor opened more doors for Anna in mainstream TV, when she was tapped to play the best friend of Alex Gonzaga in the 2014 local adaptation of Pure Love. This was followed by other TV shows such as Oh My G (2015), The Greatest Love (2016), and Hanggang Saan (2017).

Anna continued to be part of independent films. Her performance in the film Maestra allowed her to win the Best Actress award at the Five Continents International Film Festival in Venezuela in 2017.

In April 2018, Anna also earned a Best actress nomination at the Philadelphia Independent Film Awards for the same movie.

Anna also top-billed the Cinema One Originals entry Changing Partners in 2017 with Agot Isidro, Jojit Lorenzo, and Sandino Martin. This film was an adaptation of a musical play written by Vince de Jesus.

The 22-year-old actress was launched as part of 2018 Star Magic Circle, and is part of the upcoming series Starla, starring Judy Ann Santos.

Photo by: Starstruck (GMA-7) / @annajluna on Instagram

KRIS BERNAL

In an interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) last January 2018, Kris Bernal revealed that she actually took workshops with Star Magic (formerly ABS-CBN Talent Center), and even tried her luck in Pinoy Big Brother.

However, fate has other plans for Kris as she won StarStruck IV: The Next Level.

She got the title of “Ultimate Loveteam” together with Martin Escudero.

Eventually, Kris became known as one of the most reliable actress of GMA-7, top-billing several drama series that registered high ratings, especially in the network’s afternoon block.

Her last project was the 2017 afternoon series Impostora, which ran for 8 months.

Photo by: Starstruck (GMA-7) / @krisbernal on Instagram

MARLO MORTEL

In 2009, Marlo Mortel auditioned for StarStruck, using his real name Marlowe Pamintuan. He became part of the Top 60.

Despite not making it to the final round, Marlo was tapped to appear in the youth-oriented series Tween Hearts.

In 2012, he was relaunched in ABS-CBN as Marlo Mortel, and became the love-team partner of Janella Salvador in Be Careful With My Heart.

When his love team with Janella broke up in 2015, Marlo focused on his singing career, with occasional appearances in drama shows such as Maalaala Mo Kaya and Hanggang Saan (2017).

Marlo is also a regular host of Umagang Kay Ganda, where he is tagged as the “Boyfie ng Bayan.”

Photo by: Starstruck (GMA-7) / @marlomortelmusic on Instagram

MOIRA DELA TORRE

Moira dela Torre first got a taste of showbiz when she was tapped to be the voice artist of catchy theme songs and jingles of commercials.

In 2013, Moira auditioned for The Voice of the Philippines and became a part of Team APL. However, she got eliminated during the Battle Rounds.

After losing in The Voice of the Philippines, Moira launched a self-titled album in 2014.

In 2016, Moira’s career reached greater heights after being tapped to sing the theme song of Camp Sawi titled “Malaya,” which was also her own composition.

The success of “Malaya” allowed Moira to interpret more revivals and use her own compositions as theme songs of movies and teleseryes.

Moira regularly performs in ASAP as part of the segment “ASAP Jambayan.”

Photo by: The Voice of the Philippines (ABS-CBN) / @moirarachelle on Instagram

CHAI FONACIER

Chai Fonacier was a student in the first season of ABS-CBN’s Pinoy Dream Academy in 2006. Her batchmates were Yeng Constantino, Jay-R Siaboc, and Ronnie Liang. Chai was eliminated during the 8th Expulsion Night.

In 2015, almost 10 years after PDA, Chai pursued acting in independent movies.

It was in 2016 when Chai got her breakthrough performance as the transman Jude in the indie film Patay na si Hesus .

For the same movie, Chai was chosen as Best Supporting Actress during the Film Academy of the Philippines’ 35th Luna Awards.

Currently, Chai is taping for the upcoming Kapamilya series Halik, starring Jericho Rosales, Yen Santos, Yam Concepcion, and Sam Milby.

Photo by: Pinoy Dream Academy (ABS-CBN) / @chaifonacier on Instagram

ADDY RAJ

Addy Raj was first discovered in ABS-CBN’s singing competition I Love OPM in 2016, where he got eliminated after reaching the Top 24.

Months later, the Indian actor inked a contract with GMA-7, and became one of Barbie Forteza’s leading men in the 2017 rom-com series Meant To Be.

Addy just recently participated in the Kapuso Sunday variety program Lip Sync Battle.

Photo by: I Love OPM (ABS-CBN) / @addyrajofficial on Instagram

JAZZ OCAMPO

In 2011, Jazz Ocampo joined TV5’s reality-based artista search Star Factor. She was part of Top 12.

She would later do supporting roles in TV5 teleseryes until 2013.

In 2014, Jazz became the third wheel to James Reid and Nadine Lustre in ABS-CBN’s Wansapantaym episode titled “My App Boyfie.”

In 2015, Jazz transferred to GMA-7 to do the teen-oriented series instaDAD, together with Ash Ortega, and Gabbi Garcia.

Jazz took on kontrabida roles in shows such as That’s My Amboy (2016) and Sinungaling Mong Puso (2016).

She is currently part of the morning series My Guitar Princess as a kontrabida to Julie Anne San Jose.

Photo by: File Photo / @ocampojazz on Instagram

MIGZ HALECO

Migz Haleco got his first taste of showbiz when he joined TV5’s Talentadong Pinoy in 2010. However, he did not make it to the finals.

In 2015, Migz was discovered by PPL Entertainment, Inc. His manager Perry P. Lansigan decided to pair him with Maya.

The two formed the duo Migz & Maya and became popular among listeners. In 2016, the duo signed up with Star Music and was tapped to sing the theme song of How To Be Yours.

In 2017, Migz decided to launch his solo career when Maya left showbiz and got pregnant.

Migz has already released his solo album and has become a part of ASAP‘s segment called ASAP Jambayan.