Getting to know the new faces of GMA Artist Center

Show business is not the easiest industry to be part of, and the new faces of GMA Artist Center can testify to that this early. With their first few exposures as stars, their biggest challenge is to be remembered so that they can eventually make their mark.

The task is turning out to be more fun, rather than strenuous for Stephanie, Kenneth, Nicole, Arianne and James. Coming from different backgrounds and hailing from different parts of the world, they brave their way into showbiz with the hope of making their dreams come true.

Stephanie Sol: The athletic philanthropist

This mountain-climbing enthusiast admits that her body structure isn’t the typical type you see among today’s stars. However, she embraces her being sporty and says that this adds to her uniqueness, a quality that can set her apart from all the other new stars of today. “Showbiz 'di ba, [has a] stereotype na kailangan sexy or payat. I want to deviate from that [and show that] you can look athletic and at the same time, feminine,” she said.

For Steph, showbiz can help her reach her goal of being a philanthropist. “I want to use this blessing for a better cause,” she noted. She lauded how Primetime King and Queen Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera used their successful careers in putting up a foundation and helping as many people as they could.

Little by little, Steph does her share in whatever extent she is capable of. During her birthdays, she has advocacy projects like going to a reading center or spearheading a fashion show that showcases clothes made from recyclable materials.

Kenneth Paul Cruz: The bubbly boy-next-door

The funny boy from Pateros was first seen by most in a fast food commercial. As he joins the pool of talents of GMA, he remains to be the boy-next-door no one is intimidated by or hesitant to approach. He loves eating and is naturally hilarious, according to his Artist Center batch mates.

His friends also said that appearing on television hasn’t changed him one bit. “[Sabi nila], ‘uy, hanggang ngayon, laman ka pa rin ng kalsada kahit ganyan ka na,’” he shared. Kenneth Paul still enjoys hanging out with his friends and strolling around his area. “Palagi lang kami [nagha-hangout]… Lahat ng tao sa paligid ko, sobrang kaibigan ko talaga,” he added.

This fun image, though, is complemented with a serious side as he expressed his commitment to prove that he deserves the break given to him. “Nacha-challenge kami na mapantayan ['yung ibang stars]. So syempre kami, bago lang kami so ipapakilala talaga namin ang sarili namin,” he said.

Nicole Donesa: The balikbayan beauty queen

Nineteen-year-old Nicole, although a pure Filipina, grew up in San Francisco. She flew home to Manila in 2012 for college where she started doing VTR auditions. This also paved the way for her to meet the person who encouraged her to apply for Bb. Pilipinas, where she got to be part of the golden batch.

Although she didn’t bring home the crown, it was there where she got discovered by a talent scout of GMA Artist Center. Nicole still wants to pursue her dreams of being a beauty queen, but meanwhile, she’s focusing on her other dream of being an actress.

For Nicole, her dreams are starting to come true and she won’t waste this opportunity given to her. “I [am] motivated and determined [in] improving myself even more, and to mold more of my talents pagdating sa pagkanta, pag-arte, pagsayaw. Gusto ko talaga mag-aral para magustuhan ako ng mga tao at mahalin nila ako,” she declared.

Arianne Bautista: The smart sweetheart

Arianne is no stranger to the spotlight as she has already modeled for several events and has done quite a number of commercials. She balanced those with her studies, which she made sure she took well care of.

She was even active in school activities as she joined the student council during her younger years. Her efforts were not in vain as she graduated with a degree in BS Tourism in the University of Santo Tomas. It was also her training in college that developed her desire to be a pilot, a dream she’s temporarily putting on hold for her showbiz career.

Asked about what will the viewers remember and like about her, she said that it’s her honesty, both to the audiences and herself. “I think if magiging totoo lang kami sa sarili namin, mas magugustuhan kami ng mga tao,” she said.

Aside from her involvement with Artist Center, Arianne is also in the process of putting up her own restaurant, which will open next month.

James Wright: The balladeer heartthrob

Unlike the four previous artists who are more focused on acting, James leans more towards the musical side. A newbie in the industry, he was blessed with the project of singing Ikaw Lang, the theme song of the GMA Telebabad show Carmela.

Born in Australia and raised in Hong Kong, this balladeer shared that he composed his first song when he was 3 years old, and he also started playing the guitar at a young age even if he had the chords all wrong.

He’s also willing to explore the acting side of showbiz... eventually, when he gets a grip of the Filipino language. “Obviously, I’m really white and I don’t look Filipino at all,” he said. However, he said that he’s willing to learn and is very adjustable.

“[I am] so willing, and 'yung passion and yung desire to be the best is there,” he said. He uses the Kapuso tagline ‘Puso ang Una,’ as a guide to the new career he’s taking on. “That’s what we’ll give you guys—our hearts and our minds,” he added. -- Meryl Ligunas/Elisa Aquino, GMANetwork.com