Jennylyn Mercado's rise from 'Starstruck' to stardom

When 16-year-old Jennylyn Mercado was crowned Ultimate Female Survivor of Starstruck Season 1 in 2003, everyone in show business was excited to see what the young girl from Las Piñas could offer, and if she has what it takes to stay on top.

Almost 11 years later, Jen is still at the top of her game, with hosting stints and TV shows left and right, the latest being the upcoming primetime series Rhodora X,  which also marks her much-awaited reunion with love team partner and ex-boyfriend Mark Herras.

As Jennylyn prepares for her offbeat role in Rhodora X, let's take a look at her journey in the entertainment industry, and how she has transformed from being an artista hopeful to a full-fledged leading lady.

Jen has appeared in TV commercials prior to winning in Starstruck, but it was in the said reality show-cum-artista search that she gained nationwide recognition. From the thousands of teenagers who dreamed and believed, it was only Jennylyn and Mark Herras who survived and took home the much-coveted Female and Male Ultimate Survivor titles.

After her victory, she appeared in various teen-oriented shows and drama series including Click, Joyride, Forever in My Heart, Encantadia, and I Love NY. She was also seen on the silver screen, having been cast in films such as So Happy Together, Let The Love Begin, Blue Moon, and Super Noypi. Also an excellent singer, she ventured into recording, eventually releasing four studio albums.

Jen took a break from acting when she gave birth to her son Alex Jazz, or AJ, in 2008. When she came back, she had her hands full again with TV and movie projects.  She starred with Mark Herras in the afternoon soap Ikaw Sana, played the title role in the movie Rosario, and was one of the hosts of Protege Season 1.

From then on, Jen was very visible in the Kapuso network. Some of her projects in the last two years were Hindi Ka Na Mag-iisa, Indio, Makapiling Kang Muli, Anak Ko 'Yan, Protege: The Battle for the Big Artista Break, H.O.T. TV, and Showbiz Central.

Jennylyn Mercado has come a long way from her early days in showbiz. She has survived nasty rumors and publicized breakups, and is definitely ready to portray the role of a woman with multiple personalities.

Don't miss Jennylyn's return to primetime via Rhodora X, this January on GMA Telebabad.

Also, catch her on Sunday All Stars every Sunday after Kapuso Movie Festival, and on Sarap With Family on GMA News TV.

-- Text by Michelle Caligan, Photo by Bochic Estrada, GMANetwork.com