A career in showbiz is not forever, they say.
But thousands of young men and women still dream of getting a big break and experience the life of a celebrity.
On the other hand, there are those who were already in show business but chose a different path to live a simple life, away from the limelight.
These celebrities are a source of inspiration to many because they are not afraid to take a leap of faith or move out of their comfort zone and start over again.
Get to know these celebrities who bade goodbye to their showbiz careers and found happiness in their regular jobs.
The '24 Oras' reporter left GMA in February 2018 to pursue his dream of becoming a pilot. In October 2018, Steve Dailisan finally got his license to fly solo. He is currently the Head of Communications and Public Affairs of AirAsia.
The former actress left her life in the Philippines when she married American partner, Alister Kurzer. She is currently embracing life as a mom to three beautiful daughters.
Curious what happened to former 'Amaya' star AJ Dee? The hunky actor has since moved to Norway to be with his wife Olga and their two sons, Maximus and Alexandros. AJ is now a vlogger and businessman based in the Scandinavian country. In his vlog, AJ explained why he decided to leave his showbiz career and go to Norway. AJ said, “The reason why I chose to live here in Norway is that my wife told me Norway is one of the best country to raise a family.”
Actress Beth Tamayo left the country in December 2008. After leaving her lucrative job as a celebrity, she lived a simpler life in the United States. She worked various jobs from babysitting to waitressing to working as a cashier, and to a maître d'. She now lives in Los Angeles with her husband Adam Hutchinson and their daughter Sloane Isabelle.
Kim Delos Santos was part of the youth-oriented show 'T.G.I.S.' and was paired with Dino Guevarra. The two became a couple, got married, but eventually parted ways in 2004. She is now living in the United States, where she works as a psychiatric health nurse.
Actress and host Bettinna Carlos left the limelight to focus on her family and various businesses. She is now based in La Union with her husband Mikki Eduardo and daughters Amanda Lucia and Amina Elizabeth.
CJ Muere was hailed as 'StarStruck' Season 2's First Prince. He is now a dentist and has opened his own private dental practice.
Nancy Castiglione was once part of several TV shows and series on GMA Network, and is best remembered as Dingdong Dantes's co-host in the first season of 'StarStruck.' She now works as an Integrative Hypnotherapist.
Former child star Serena Dalrymple appeared in numerous films and even won the FAMAS Best Child Actress award for the movie 'Bata, Bata, Pa'no Ka Ginawa?' in 1998. She eventually migrated to the United States where she became a manager for media network Viacom. She married her her boyfriend Thomas Bredillet in 2022 and gave birth to her first child in April 2024.
Chantal Umali rose to fame thanks to her iconic "Goodbye, Carlo!" line in a hotdog TV commercial. She then joined showbiz, becoming part of the youth-oriented show 'T.G.I.S.' She is now a mom and a yoga ambassador.
RR Herrera was a multi-awarded child actor, having won the Best Child Performer award in the 1988 Metro Manila Film Festival and the Best Child Actor award in the1989 FAMAS. He now works as a motivational speaker and executive of a training company.
Tom Taus is best known for playing the title role in the 1996 film 'Cedie.' The former child star is now an international DJ.
Dindin Llarena was a 'Little Miss Philippines' finalist in the '90s. She left showbiz, earned her degree, and worked as a Corporate Services Responsibility Associate at PTT Philippines Corporation. She is now married to her husband Robby Volosin.
Former child actor and singer LA Lopez is now a Christian pastor.
Who could forget the iconic detergent commercial featuring Lumen? The woman who gave life to Lumen, January Isaac, now lives a happy life with her family in the US. January is married to Wade Bodlovic and has two kids. She also has a day job as a Front End Lead at Cabella's, an outdoor equipment store. Aside from doing commercials, she was also part of several movies like 'Burador' (1999) and the American movie shot in the Philippines,'Doomsdayer,' in 2000.
The talented dancer is now working as Eat Bulaga's choreographer and stage director.
Actress and well-loved kontrabida Princess Punzalan is now Certified Registered Nurse in the United States.
Barangay LS DJ Papa Buboy, or Justin Candado II in real life, left GMA-7 in December 2017 to become a nurse.
Former Streetboys member Spencer Reyes is now living a quiet life in Scotland. He is working as a bus driver after taking a series of examinations for his job.
Michelle Madrigal is now a US-based realtor.
Former beauty queen Janina San Miguel was well-known due to a question and answer gaffe that eventually landed her the title Binibining Pilipinas World 2008. Since denouncing her title the same year, Janina has lived a completely different lifestyle away from the glitz and glamour of pageantry. She is now reportedly a call center agent for a multi-national company.
Former matinee idol Leandro Munoz has not completely shunned away from the limelight since he makes TV appearances once in a while. However, he is busy working as an entrepreneur in the United States and is a full-time husband and father to his wife Sheryl and their son Mason.
After 12 years of working as an actor, former Be Bench runner-up Ron Morales and his family decided to migrate in Prince Edward Island, Canada. He now enjoys his job as a cook at a local restaurant.
Sexy actress Jinri Park described that her new life in Australia took a wild turn as she has been diligently working as a trainee for a restaurant to become a waitress. She said, “I felt like I was back to zero with not knowing what career path I'd want to take.”
She added that she has a plan but would like to gain the experience so she can save up and go back to school. Adding, “I need to earn my tuition fee to get a degree for the job I want in the future.”
You might remember him as Jang from the boy group Down To Mars, but Nasser Amparna has built another life in Singapore after his group disbanded in 2014. Nasser currently works as a lab specialist in an all-girls government-run school in Singapore. Despite working now in the education sector, Nasser is able to do his other passion projects like vlogging and, from time-to-time, he is still asked to sing the theme songs of several popular Korean and Thai series shown in the Philippines.
After joining StarStruck and doing several Kapuso series such as That's My Amboy, Alyas Robin Hood, Meant To Be, and My Love From the Star, Princess Guevarra decided to temporarily leave her showbiz career and fulfill her dream to become a cabin crew for an international carrier.
Although she hasn't exactly retired, veteran actress Tessie Tomas has found her home away from home in the Isle of Man where her husband, Roger Pullin, has opted to retire. Tessie has found solace in vlogging her life in the little island, just 191 miles away from England.
Actress and model Cindy Kurleto had reportedly quit showbiz in 2007. She is now a stay-at-home mom to her children Noa and Lima.
Former T.G.I.S. actor and '90s heartthrob Red Sternberg is now living in Florida with his family. During his stint in 'Eat Bulaga's Bawal Judgmental, he shared that he is currently a hotel's general manager.
Chubi del Rosario has left the limelight for more than a decade. While he isn't a full-time actor, fans may catch him in several theater plays and events. He is also a businessman and a fitness trainor.
Former actress and beauty queen Rhea Nakpil is now a full-time flight attendant and mom to her beautiful daughter.
Jan Manual left show business after he and his wife tied the knot and decided to focus their efforts on their church ministry. He is now a preacher who often heads his group's Bible study.
Former reality star Alec Duñgo pursued his dream of becoming a doctor by completing his medical degree at the University of Santo Tomas, where he graduated cum laude in 2019. In 2020, he was among the 3,500 students who passed the Physician Licensure Examination.
Teen actress Angeli Gonzales also strived for her dream to become a doctor after passing the Physician Licensure Examination in November 2020. She graduated from the De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute in 2019.
Former child star Makisig Morales left the limelight to become a chef in Australia. He is now married to Nicole Joson Morales, an Australian-Filipino beauty queen. The two marked their first wedding anniversary in January 2020.
Former 'Kirara' star Erika Ann Luna left the limelight years ago. She now works as a Marketing Manager of a food retail company.
'Eat Bulaga' Dabarkad host Ruby Rodriguez is now working at the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, California.
Fil-Am actress-model Coraleen Wadell has been in showbiz since 2010.
Cora Wadell went on hiatus after giving birth to daughter Leila and is now pursuing a jewelry business.
Michael Alexander Alvarez Pamular, also known by his stage name Josh Santana, was an actor and singer who appeared in the TV series 'Bituin' and also popularized the Tagalog version of the 'Meteor Garden' soundtrack "Qing Fei Di Yi"--"Can't Help Fallin' Into You." He also released a self-titled album in 2004.
Josh Santana is now a doctor and online content creator, who still uploads clips of his covers and life updates.