The first Born Diva winner’s sob story

The life story of Shayne Corpuz, the first winner in ABS-CBN’s reality-talent search show, Born Diva, is the perfect stuff for the drama-anthology, Maalaala Mo Kaya. Born in Olongapo City and raised by adoptive parents, 28-year-old Shayne never really met her biological parents who abandoned her when she was still a baby.

Shayne, whose real name is Shannette, is the love child of a Bicolana and an African-American US navy who was then stationed at the naval base in Subic Bay. She was only 11 months old when she was given up for adoption to a couple who had lost their first child.

"When my real father left the country, my real mother could not afford to raise me, so she gave me up to a couple who lost their first child," Shayne recalls without a tinge of sadness. "Up to this day, I never met my real parents. I know my dad’s real name is Anthony Morris. I tried tracing him in the United States, but when I sent him a letter in Tennessee and another one in Louisiana, I never got any reply."

Life was not easy for Shayne while she was growing up. She was mocked by neighborhood kids because of her color and different look. And even if she had not been told that she was only an adopted child, she would hear the kids around calling her ampon. Adding to her emotional struggle was the fact that she became a battered child.

"My (foster) mom said when she was interviewed in Kontrobersyal after I won in Born Diva that she didn’t really invest any love in me when I was growing up," Shayne shares. "That way, she would not get hurt when my real parents take me away from her. I would often have bruises when I would go out of the house. My foster parents had their own children, so I grew up having four younger siblings. But you could really see that I’m the one who doesn’t look like any of them."

Fortunately, Shayne was able to finish her studies. Her grandmother saw her through college and she finished nursing at the Emilio Aguinaldo College in Taft Avenue. "My foster lola is very kind to me," Shayne grants. "She was my confidante and my defender whenever my mom would get mad at me."

Shayne’s mother compelled her to work immediately after college to help augment the family income. By that time, her foster father had left them to seek greener pastures in Singapore, but the family had never heard from him up to this day. Shayne, being the eldest among the brood, got the job as a medical representative in a small drug company. However, the firm closed down so she was left jobless.

"When that happened, my mother wanted me to work abroad, but I chose to stay here," Shayne says. "She didn’t like it, so she drove me out of the house. I learned how to fend for myself for two years. It came to a point where I even worked as a part-time maid to a Fil-American couple who lives in Quezon City. They were very nice to me.

"But two years ago, I reconciled with my (foster) mom. That was when she told me that I was really an adopted child. She apologized for all her faults and shortcomings. Today, my relationship with my mom has never been better. We’re really close now. I don’t have any ill feelings against her."

Shayne remained a big dreamer so she learned how to be strong. Even when she was still a kid, Shayne had already dreamed of becoming a singer. She would imagine herself performing in a huge venue with a large crowd applauding her after every song.

"Gusto ko ‘pag kumanta ako, mag-standing ovation ang mga tao," Shayne says. "I want them to say na magaling pala ang negrang ito. Mataas talaga ang pangarap ko."

Shayne decided to pursue her musical interest and joined an all-female singing group called Divas, which performed here and abroad. They did stints in Taiwan and Japan. When the group disbanded, Shayne tried her luck as a solo performer. She did regular shows at Syncopado Music Lounge in Malate.

Early this year, Shayne auditioned for Star in a Million and was lined-up as one of the contestants for July. However, it broke her heart when she was told that the show would fold up in July. "My mom, who had already told most of her friends to watch out for me in Star in a Million last July, also cried when she learned about it," Shayne offers.

That was not the end of the line, however, for the talented Shayne. She was immediately called on by ABS-CBN production staff to audition for a new talent search show, Born Diva, which will require a makeover for contestants. Shayne remained optimistic, so she lost no time in trying out for the show. She didn’t have any second thoughts, too, about undergoing any makeover. At that time, she also had an offer to sing in a hotel in Malaysia, but she chose to forego that in favor of the ABS-CBN talent search show.

Before her Born Diva salvo, Shayne had her eye bags removed, rhinoplasty for her nose, diamond peel for her skin, teeth bleaching and rigid workouts at the gym. Renee Salud and Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano, who stood as the judges during the first week, became Shayne’s personal advisers. "Mama Renee told me I still have to lose a few more pounds, while Angeli advised me to take voice and dance lessons."

And who wins without any controversy? Shayne has been hounded by nasty talk after she bested Kelly Salcedo, a professional singer for 18 years now. Although Shayne was initially worried, she has learned to take everything in stride. "People have been telling me that if I want to stay longer in the business, I should prepare to be tough," Shayne allows. "Kelly is a very good singer. I wouldn’t have complained if she was the one who won."

Shayne’s winning piece in Born Diva was Superwoman, which aptly describes her struggles and triumphs in life. As the first winner, she gets to sing regularly in ASAP Mania every Sunday, until the eighth week of Born Diva, when contestants will be trimmed down every week on to the last three for the finals.

Shayne will also get to record a song for the Born Diva album, to be released by Star Records. She cannot be happier than when she was given a chance to sing alongside her idol, Zsa Zsa Padilla, who hosts Born Diva.

Shayne believes that her ambition, coupled with prayers and faith in God, were the factors that have kept her going all these years. "No matter what you’ve been through in life, you can still dream," Shayne imparts. "I was able to realize my dream of becoming a singer. If it happened to me, it can happen to anyone."