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Celebrities who started off in showbiz as reality show winners

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IN PHOTOS: 10 Kapamilya stars who started their showbiz careers as competition winners

Entertainment.ABS-CBN.com

Some stars are found, while some find their way by rising to the top. Having talent is just one part of an entertainment career because, eventually, you’ll have to stand out from the rest. Reality shows are a great way to showcase this and most of our Kapamilya stars had their humble beginnings in such shows. Check out this Kapamilya gallery and meet the 10 shining stars that began their showbiz journey on a reality show or talent search! <div> </div><div>Erich Gonzales </div>After watching Erich Gonzales for years on memorable teleseryes like<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/lavidalena"> La Vida Lena</a>,<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/thebloodsisters"> The Blood Sisters</a>, Be My Lady, and Katorse, we tend to forget how the talented actress began.  Erich’s first venture into stardom was way back in 2004 when she entered the second season of Star Circle Quest as a 14-year-old girl. Being a contestant on the reality talent search meant that she had to undergo intense training, challenges, and showdowns against the 14 other finalists. By the end of it all, Erich garnered the outstanding title of “Grand Teen Questor”.  <div> </div><div>Nash Aguas </div>When Star Circle Quest had a Kids Edition, one of the most prominent winners was Nash Aguas. After winning the first season at the age of six, Nash crafted his acting talent and showcased them in various Kapamilya shows such as <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/goinbulilit">Goin’ Bulilit </a>and Mga Anghel na Walang Langit. Today, Nash has grown into a well-rounded actor proving that he can take on more challenging roles like the complicated Cal Buenavidez in The Good Son and the young brave soldier Michael Mendoza in A Soldier’s Heart.   <div> </div><div>Melai Cantiveros </div><a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/pbbs10">Pinoy Big Brother</a> may look fun and all, but its set-up and different challenges breed some of the most relatable stars. The show, after all, introduced us to the funny PBB Double Up winner Melai Cantiveros.  The quirkiness and positive attitude we love her for in PBB remain as her best assets as a great host on the morning talk show Magandang Buhay and the recent seasons of PBB. <div> </div><div>Maymay Entrata </div>Another celeb that made it big after her <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/pbbs10">Pinoy Big Brother</a> stint is Maymay Entrata. Aspiring to be an actress since she was young, Maymay definitely gave it her all during the PBB Lucky Season 7 and ended up earning the title of “Big Winner”. Right after, the potential and talent of the young “Wacky-go-lucky ng Cagayan de Oro” caught the attention of many. She didn’t only get casted in the blockbuster movie “Hello, Love, Goodbye,” she also got called to shoot for magazine covers and model in international fashion shows. Currently, she’s also showing off her talent as a dancer on <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/asap">ASAP Natin ‘To</a> as the show’s certified Dancefloor Sweetheart.   <div> </div><div>Yeng Constantino </div>OPM music wouldn’t be the same without Yeng Constantino’s timeless hits, “Hawak Kamay”, “Salamat”, “Time In”, and many more. For that, we can be grateful for her fearlessness in entering the Pinoy Dream Academy way back in 2006.  The young star betted on her singing talent and emerged as the winner a.k.a Valedictorian of the talent search. Today, she continues to create music and is hailed as one of the country’s top singers and notable singing divas on <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/asap">ASAP Natin ‘To</a>.  <div> </div><div>KZ Tandingan </div>KZ Tandingan’s unique voice and amazing rapping style makes her an inspirational Pinay music icon. The first time the world was able to hear her was during her play at the huge music competition, The X-Factor Philippines.  After being proclaimed as the show’s winner, she was also awarded as Aliw Awards’ Best New Artist and produced various chart-topping music hits. Labeled as Asia’s Soul Supreme, KZ is also recognized as a diva on <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/asap">ASAP Natin ‘To </a>and the Pinay featured singer for “Gabay”, the Tagalog theme song of Disney’s “Raya and the Last Dragon”. <div> </div><div>Erik Santos </div>The “King of Teleserye Theme Songs” wasn’t granted his crown, he earned it. Erik Santos joined the 2003 singing contest Star in a Million to get his big break. After competing against some stellar singers including Sheryn Regis and Christian Bautista, Erik emerged as the Grand Champion.  His win led him to be the top choice for singing the theme songs for various Kapamilya TV shows including Walang Hanggang Paalam, The Better Half, My Binondo Girl, and<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/maybukaspa"> May Bukas Pa</a>.  Erik is also called the country’s “Prince of Pop”. With his reputable titles and expertise, he inspires and guides aspiring singers as a regular hurado on <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/itsshowtime">It’s Showtime’</a>s <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/tawagngtanghalan">Tawag ng Tanghalan</a>. <div> </div><div>Angeline Quinto </div>Angeline Quinto also worked her way up to gain the title of “Queen of Teleserye Theme Songs”. The belting singer entered numerous singing contests, wherever they may be, before she was able to try her hand in Star Power: Sharon&#x27;s Search For The Next Female Pop Superstar. The risk was well-worth taking because Angeline rose as the talent search’s winner.  With her stunning belting voice, Angeline is regularly in-demand to sing teleserye theme songs. Her most notable ones are the original soundtracks for , Kahit Konting Pagtingin Juan Dela Cruz, and The Legal Wife. Her talents also makes her a qualified judge on <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/itsshowtime">It’s Showtime</a>’s “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/tawagngtanghalan">Tawag ng Tanghalan</a>.”  From time to time, Angeline also explores her acting talent such as her role as Jessie in Nathaniel  and Darling Sanchez in <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/tawagngtanghalan">Huwag Kang Mangamba.</a> <div> </div><div>James Reid </div>James Reid wasn’t always the confident star he is now, but having big dreams and immense talent to show pushed him to join PBB Teen Clash 2010. Throughout the show, we were able to see James grow and eventually be the season’s Big Winner.  From there, James just continued to emerge from his shell and surprise us with his talent. He’s recognized as a remarkable actor with his star roles in <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/onthewingsoflove">On The Wings of Love </a>and Till I Met You and he’s currently making a name for himself in the music industry. Aside from producing music, he’s also running his own record label, Careless. <div> </div><div>Kim Chiu </div>Back when Kim Chiu joined the first ever teen edition of <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/pbbs10">Pinoy Big Brother</a>, we had no idea how big she would become. We did know that she had so much potential within her which is why she garnered the overall win.  Slowly, this Chinita Princess received recognition after recognition. Her acting in several movies and popular teleseryes such as My Binondo Girl, Ina, Kapatid, Anak, and<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/lovethywoman"> Love Thy Woman </a>led to her being nominated and winning multiple awards.  Even after years of being in showbiz, Kim still discovers more of her talent. She is constantly hosting, vlogging, dancing, and even singing. On <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/asap">ASAP Natin ‘To</a>, she’s nicknamed as the “Queen of the Dancefloor” for her weekly show-stopping dance performance, and just recently she also sang on-stage her newest single, “Kimmi”.  The stories of all these stars are so inspirational. Work hard and strive for your dreams just like them!