StarStruck Final 14: A mix of old and new faces

In the coming weeks, the finalists will take a battery of tests in acting, singing and dancing. The judges will determine who among them will advance to the next level of competition.

MANILA, Philippines — If the artista wannabes in the Final 14 of StarStruck Season 7 look familiar, you’re not hallucinating. You have probably seen some of them in fashion shows, TVCs, digital ads, catalogues or in teleseryes portraying bit roles.

During the media gathering held last Tuesday evening for the finalists’ presentation, almost 60 percent of them made the confirmation. Seven male and seven female hopefuls stepped on stage, namely, Jeremy Sabido, Jerick Dolormente, Allen Ansay, Gelo Alagban, Kim de Leon, Karl Aquino, Abdul Raman, Pamela Prinster, Angelic Guzman, Dani Porter, Ella Cristofani, Shayne Sava, Lexi Gonzales and Rere Madrid.

Prior to his audition in StarStruck, Kim admitted to have been trying out in casting calls. He, too, had landed a lead role in a fast-food TVC. Same with Abdul and Rere who both have experiences in ramp modeling and commercials. Dani and Ella, on the other hand, had stints in digital ads.

Those who had already tried acting were Jerick and Pamela who became part of GMA drama shows with the former revealing that he played extra.

“I’m one of the contravida girls in That’s My Amboy (with Andrei Paras and Barbie Forteza as lead stars),” said Pamela who right after the show returned to the US to finish her high school. Her Filipina mom is from Aklan while her 78-year-old American dad is from Colorado.

“My biggest strength is (my) respect for the art. I’m so serious about this and this is something I’ve been wanting to do for so long. For me, it’s like I have to act because this is how I let out so much of my emotions,” she said, adding that she also plans to join in beauty pageants in the future. 

Karl and Gelo, meanwhile, are both part of the all-male dance group Clique 5.

If you didn’t recognize Lexi at first, that’s fine. She’s more than ready this time since she first met the StarStruck selection committee in 2014.

“I didn’t pass in the auditions before due to an age requirement. I was still underage then so it’s only now that I tried my luck again. Thankfully, nakapasok,” said Lexi whose autistic brother serves as her inspiration to do her best.

It’s now obvious that only a few are fresh faces and first-timers. But before those eyebrows start raising, Jeremy, Allen and Angelic remain big threats to those who had on-cam appearances.

Recall that Angelic, the 18-year-old hopeful from Marikina, earned praise from Cherie Gil after singing Irene Cara’s Out Here On My Own in the first round of the competition.

Cherie said, “To be able to sing in that level is not easy. Hindi madalas makarinig ng ganung level of singing. I was taken aback. It was my favorite song and I used to sing that a lot in my teenage years. Well done, Angelic.”

Jeremy, on the other hand, is confident that he has what it takes to be a star. His boy-next-door image is a plus point.

Equally handsome is Allen who looks up to Dingdong Dantes and Alden Richards. He said, “I would like to follow (in the footsteps of) Dingdong (Dantes) because he excels in acting and Alden (Richards) kasi ang lakas ng dating n’ya.”

Ella of Pateros instantly gained positive comments from netizens after showing her talent in the second week of the search’s elimination round. A comment from morlock76 read, “Best female finalist for me. From last place naging Top 1 ko agad siya after nung audition niya kagabi.”

In the coming weeks, the finalists will take a battery of tests in acting, singing and dancing. The judges, composed of Heart Evangelista, Cherie and Jose Manalo, will determine who among them will advance to the next level of competition. They will point out one by one the strengths and weaknesses of the aspirants in a straightforward manner.

However, the scores of the judges will only comprise 50 percent of each hopeful’s total score, while the other 50 percent will be based on the audience votes.

Stay tuned and find out who among the Final 14 will emerge as the Ultimate Male Survivor and Ultimate Female Survivor.

(Hosted by Dingdong and Jennylyn Mercado with Kyline Alcantara in-charge of Inside StarStruck on YouTube, StarStruck Season 7 airs Saturdays after Daddy’s Gurl, and Sundays after Daig Kayo Ng Lola Ko.)