NAME:            Chanel Morales

RESIDENCE:   Mandaluyong City

AGE:              16

When the other girls are asked who they think their biggest competition in Artista Academy is, Chanel is the top pick. Chanel comes from a well-off family, and she admits that she's used to getting what she wants. But she also believes that this won't make her unreachable because, she says, she knows how to deal with all kinds of people.

NAME:            Vin Abrenica

RESIDENCE:   Pampanga

AGE:               21

As the brother of Kapuso actor Aljur Abrenica, Vin should be getting used to the comparison. His reaction to people pitting them against each other? "Hindi ko po 'tinuturing na competition yung brother ko." Vin actually says that he's quite close to Aljur, that they even share clothes, and that the car he currently uses comes from Aljur. What advice has Aljur given him? Aljur has told him that being an actor is not just about looking good but about learning to get better and better at your craft.

NAME:            Sophie Albert

RESIDENCE:   Mandaluyong

AGE:               21

Five of the eight boys in Artista Academy name Sophie as the girl they most want to be paired with. Sophie has a sunny disposition, after all. But this 5'8" beauty has a sad story to tell: when she was four years old, her father went into coma, and although he survived, he has never been the same. He cannot hear her now, but Sophie says she updates him anyway about what's going on with her life, such as when she joined Artista Academy. What she misses most about her dad? "Siya po yung nagsu-spoil sa 'kin nung bata ako."

NAME:            Akihiro Blanco

RESIDENCE:   Pasig City

AGE:              17

A certified heartthrob, the boy they call Aki admits to having had six girlfriends already, even if he has not reached the legal age yet. He also boasts a showbiz pedigree, with his mom a cousin of the handsome actor James Blanco. Aki says his primary motivation for joining Artista Academy is to be able to showcase his talents.

NAME:            Shaira Mae

RESIDENCE:   Las Piñas City

AGE:              17

What will she do with P10 million worth of prizes in case she wins? Shaira's answer is that she will build a house for her and her family. The recent death of her grandmother—which, for reasons unclear, she says she partly blames herself—serves as an inspiration for Shaira in this televised reality star search.

NAME:           Brent Mariano

RESIDENCE:  Quezon City

AGE:             20

Among the guys, Brent is the one most noted for his singing skills. With matching boy-next-door looks, he makes young girls swoon. But behind the sweet smile is another sad story: Brent is a survivor of child abuse. His mother and stepfather, he says, did not treat him like their own. He had lived in Bulacan and Cavite, until he decided to stay in Manila where he joined a lot of pageants and talent competitions. Making it to the Top 16 may be the break that this self-styled survivor has been looking for.

NAME:            Nicole Estrada

RESIDENCE:   Pasig City

AGE:              16

This track and field varsity player decided to go after her dreams of becoming a celebrity, and so joined Artista Academy. Her fellow students at the Academy, Nicole says, see her as the "starter" among the girls. She explains this to mean that she is the girl who moves things along, when not everyone is ready to join in. In her words, "So it means, kapag ako po ang nagsalita, sumusunod na rin sila." She adds, "Sinabi rin po ng boys na it's a nice trait daw po, na I have the ability to make others feel welcome and inspire them." 

NAME:            Benjo Leoncio

RESIDENCE:   Cebu City

AGE:              21

This Cebuano loves to go out and socialize. Even before joining the search, Benjo had shot TV commercials as an artist under Jonas Gaffud's Mercator Artist and Model Management. He admits that he has difficulty speaking Tagalog but is trying his best to learn.

NAME:             Marvelous Alejo

RESIDENCE:    Valenzuela

AGE:               16

True to her name, Marvelous makes quite an impression when she sings.  She is considered by the other girls as the biggest threat in that department. Though a consistent honor student at school, she has decided to take this shot at stardom.  "Kung kaya naman pong i-balance at pagsabayin, mas maganda.  Dapat din po kasi, beauty and brains ka rin," Marvelous says. 

NAME:            Jon Orlando

RESIDENCE:   Quezon City

AGE:              19

This half-Pinoy, half-Italian hails from Canada.  Leaving his privileged life in North America, he came to the Philippines to trace his roots and make a statement. Seeing the impoverished area in Lerma where his mom grew up, he was shocked. If he wins in Artista Academy, Jon says he will help build a safer and better community in that area. After all, his goal is to be different.

NAME:            Malak So Shidfat

RESIDENCE:   Manila

AGE:               20

Malak casts an alluring vibe as the dancer among the girls. But her story is another one of those marked with sadness: Her Filipina mother and Palestinian father left her when she was young. An aunt had no choice but to be her guardian all these years. But the absense of parents in her life has made Malak a bit of a rebel. Just before enterting the Academy, a conflict with her aunt prompted her to knock on the doors of her boyfriend's family and ask for refuge there. Right now, the Academy is her home.

NAME:             Chris Leonardo

RESIDENCE:    Laguna

AGE:                20

Chris has grown up not knowing his father's identity. His mother, who deliberately kept the information from him, is now in Japan with her new family. Chris has since been raised by his grandparents, and it is for them that he wants to build a better life should he win the competition. His dancing skills may just get him there!

NAME:            Julia Quisumbing

RESIDENCE:   Makati

AGE:               21

Half-Filipino half-American Julia Quisumbing knows and understands only a little Tagalog. She admits that this may be a problem for her, but she says that she's really trying to learn the national language one day at a time. Julia is outgoing and enjoys such extreme sports as wakeboarding, skydiving, and scuba diving. Her edge over the other contestants? "My being mestiza because, I think, I'm a little different. My eye color, and I can bring a lot of emotions with my face, with my eyes." 

NAME:            Mark Neumann

RESIDENCE:   Quezon City

AGE:               17

Mark speaks in a low, manly voice one would not expect from his looks. This half-Croatian cutie was born and raised in Germany, and has also lived in England. But Mark reveals that he was lonely living in Europe, "Mas masaya po dito." Many of the boys at the Academy also point to Mark as one of their biggest rivals in this competition.

NAME:            Stephanie Rowe

RESIDENCE:   Pampanga

AGE:               16

This half-Pinay, half-British girl grew up in Taiwan. She admits to uploading videos of herself on YouTube to showcase her talents. When the Top 16 students are asked about the value of education, Steph surprises everyone with her answer. Because while all the others answer, almost as one, that education is important and that they may continue their studies at a later time, Steph boldly declares otherwise. "For me, education is not that important. Kasi a lot of billionaires out there are dropouts from school!" This early, Steph certainly shows she is not the typical girl next door—and she is not pretending to be one.

NAME:            Alberto Bruno

RESIDENCE:   Marikina

AGE:              16

He may not look like it at first glance, but this boy is a comedian. He even names Michael V as his favorite actor. But once he speaks, it is apparent that Alberto has an instinctive feel for humor. It also comes as a surprise that this half-Pinoy, half-Italian boy is very fluent in Tagalog, even if he only comes over here during summer vacations. Joining Artista Acdemy, Alberto reveals, is not something he planned. On the day of the one-time audition at Araneta Coliseum, he just thought of giving it a try since he was in the area playing billiards with friends. Becoming part of the Top 16 is something he totally did not expect, but definitely welcomes.