Career changes of celebrities do not only happen when they decide to transfer networks.
Sometimes, these stars hope to improve their careers by signing up with other talent management companies.
These talent agencies then make decisions regarding the projects to be accepted by the star and even if there is a need to transfer networks.
One of these talent agencies is VIVA Artists Agency, which allows talents to work in all TV networks.
Stars who transfer to VIVA sometimes become controversial, especially when they have been with a certain talent management company for a long time.
Take a look at these 18 stars who marked a new stage in their career by signing up with VIVA:
-
XIAN LIM
Xian, a Star Magic talent for eight years, surprised everyone when he signed a management contract with VIVA Artists Agency last January 23.
The actor, who started his career in the 2008 ABS-CBN miniseries Your Song: My Only Hope, also inked a five-year, ten-picture contract with VIVA Films.
He will be the leading man of Sarah Geronimo in the upcoming film Miss Granny.
When asked if he will also be leaving ABS-CBN, Xian only answered, "Gusto ko lang sabihin na I really love ABS-CBN. ABS-CBN has always been my home."
-
CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓NOOD KA MUNA!
CLAUDINE BARRETTO
In October 2009, Claudine signed a two-picture deal with VIVA Films.
Many were surprised by her move because Claudine was known to be one of Star Cinema's prime leading ladies.
Though the actress said in an interview that she informed Star Magic about this move, news came out that the executives of ABS-CBN weren't informed about this development.
A few weeks later, Claudine signed a contract with GMA-7, which became her home network for two years. She was able to do one movie, In Your Eyes, shown in 2010.
Claudine then went a hiatus from showbiz, and returned to ABS-CBN for episodes of Maalaala Mo Kaya.
In 2016, she returned to doing teleseryes via Bakit Manipis Ang Ulap, a joint venture of TV5 and VIVA Entertainment. Since then, VIVA has been managing the career of Claudine when it comes to movies.
-
BILLY CRAWFORD
Billy decided to sign up with VIVA Artists Agency (VAA) after ten years of being under the management of Arnold Vegafria.
The It's Showtime host, who inked a five-year management contract, admitted that he was the first to reach out to VAA for career change.
He remarked, "Sa tingin ko, with Viva, titriple yung trabaho ko. I think, the platform kasi, lahat nasa Viva. It's really wide. It's global."
-
MARK ANTHONY FERNANDEZ
On January 10, 2018, Mark and his former love team partner and ex-girlfriend Claudine Barretto were spotted with Vic del Rosario (rightmost), the head honcho of VIVA Artists Agency.
After more than a year, Mark was released after being detained at the Pampanga Provincial Jail for possession of illegal drugs.
During the January 21 guest appearance of Claudine in Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, she disclosed that she and Mark are set to do a project together.
On January 25, Mark finally signed a contract with VIVA. He said about the contract. "Sabi ni Boss Vic, panghabambuhay ang kontrata ko sa kanya."
He also revealed that it was indeed Claudine who helped him transfer to VIVA.
His reunion movie project with Claudine is now in the works. -
HEART EVANGELISTA
In 2011, Heart decided to transfer to VIVA Artists Agency, after being managed by Annabelle Rama.
Even after the change of management, Heart continued to be seen on GMA-7, her home network since 2008.
Prior to her transfer to GMA-7, Heart was a homegrown talent of ABS-CBN.
In September 2016, the actress renewed her contract with VIVA for two more years, saying that, "I don't have to worry about anything."
Heart was the lead actress of the recently-concluded Kapuso teleserye My Korean Jagiya.
-
CRISTINE REYES
It was in 2007 when Cristine got involved a controversy regarding her network transfer. Her contract with GMA Artist Center expired and the actress suddenly appeared in ABS-CBN's noontime show Wowowee.
Cristine then signed an exclusive contract with ABS-CBN, and months later, she had her career managed by VIVA Artists Agency.
In 2009, the StarStruck alumna was rumored to return to GMA-7 in order to take on the role of Carla Abellana's nemesis in Rosalinda.
However, her transfer did not materialize and the former FHM Sexiest Woman remained as a Kapamilya.
Cristine top-billed several movies produced by VIVA Films: No Other Woman (2011), When The Love Is Gone (2013), Trophy Wife (2014), The Gifted (2014), and Lumayo Ka Nga Sa Akin (2015).
-
RYZA CENON
GMA-7 fans were surprised when Ryza, the Female Ultimate Survivor of StarStruck 2, signed a management contract with VIVA Artists Agency in June 2017.
Prior to her career move, Ryza was a talent of GMA Artist Center for 12 years.
Ryza is still seen in the daytime series Ika-6 Na Utos and when she signed up with Viva, rumors circulated that her Georgia character will be killed off in the series.
However, Ryza clarified that she will remain a Kapuso. "Ipinaglaban ko po yun sa Viva. Sabi ko, hangga't maaari po, mag-i-stay pa rin ako ng GMA. Kasi, dun ako nagsimula. From StarStruck po, hindi ko po maiiwan."
Currently, Ryza is still part of Ika-6 Na Utos, and also the lead actress of VIVA Films's new movie Mr. and Mrs. Cruz.
-
ANDI EIGENMANN
When Andi returned to showbiz after her pregnancy break in 2012, she signed a management contract with VIVA Artists Agency.
She was previously a talent of Star Magic since she was given her big break in 2010 via the teleserye Agua Bendita.
Her first movie was the 2012 hit A Secret Affair, starring Anne Curtis and Derek Ramsay.
Andi continued to do more movies with VIVA, such as When The Love Is Gone (2013), Angela Markado (2015), Tragic Theater (2015), Your Place or Mine (2015) and Camp Sawi (2016).
On television, Andi remained a talent of ABS-CBN, starring in projects such as Kahit Puso'y Masugatan (2012), Galema: Anak Ni Zuma (2013), Dyesebel (2014), and The Greatest Love (2016).
-
MARCO GUMABAO
In September 2017, Marco decided to leave Star Magic and transfer to VIVA Artists Agency.
He has been with ABS-CBN's talent arm for four years.
The 23-year-old actor's reason for transferring? "Ang hirap, kasi ang dami naming lalaki doon."
A week after his transfer to VIVA, news came out that Star Magic withdrew Marco's invitation from the Star Magic Ball, which was scheduled to take place that month.
Marco still attended the ball, saying that the talent arm of ABS-CBN invited him again to the formal event.
Being a VIVA talent, Marco can still be seen in ABS-CBN programs in addition to making guest appearances in GMA-7 shows such as Wish Ko Lang and All Star Videoke.
-
JAMES REID
James was hailed as the Big Winner of ABS-CBN's Pinoy Big Brother Teen Clash 2010, which led to him being part of Star Magic.
In 2012, James decided to sign up with VIVA Artists Agency to maximize his singing skills.
In 2014, he was given the lead role in Diary Ng Panget, where he was paired with Nadine Lustre for the first time.
-
BELA PADILLA
Bela was originally a Star Magic talent when she joined showbiz in 2010. Back then, she used the name Krista Valle.
In 2010, Bela decided to transfer to GMA-7, with GMA Artist Center and VIVA Artists Agency managing her career.
In 2015, after her contract with GMAAC expired, Bela decided to return to ABS-CBN, but remained a talent of VIVA Artists Agency.
She has since starred in several VIVA movies, mainly Felix Manalo (2015), Camp Sawi (2016), and 100 Tula Para Kay Stella (2017).
-
LOUISE DELOS REYES
Louise signed a five-year managerial contract with VIVA Artists Agency in May 2017, after her contract with GMA Artist Center expired in 2016.
During an interview, Louise said that she is welcome to work with ABS-CBN.
Two months later, in July 2017, Louise joined the prime-time series FPJ's Ang Probinsyano.
Currently, Louise is part of the Kapamilya afternoon series Asintado.
-
BRET JACKSON
Bret was a housemate of Pinoy Big Brother Teen Clash 2010 when he joined show business.
In 2014, Bret joined VIVA Artists Agency and did a couple of movies and cable shows, including: Your Place or Mine (2015), This Time (2016), and Dark Room (2017),
-
ELLA CRUZ
In October 2015, Ella surprised everyone when she decided to transfer to VIVA Artists Agency, after being managed by Star Magic for three years.
During that time, Ella was already a "borrowed" artist of TV5, which means that she can do projects with TV5 even though she still had a contract with ABS-CBN.
During the contract signing with VIVA, Ella clarified that she won't be transferring to other networks.
Still, the young actress was able to do projects outside ABS-CBN, including episodes of Karelasyon and Wish Ko Lang on GMA-7.
She starred in a movie produced by VIVA titled Fangirl Fanboy in 2017.
-
JULIAN TRONO
In 2016, after Julian finished his teleserye Buena Familia in GMA-7, the actor-dancer decided to transfer to VIVA Artists Agency.
Under VAA, Julian was able to do two movies produced by VIVA Films: Ang Pagsanib Kay Leah Dela Cruz (2017) and Fangirl Fanboy (2017).
He is also the perennial leading man of VAA Artist Ella Cruz.
-
SARAH LAHBATI
Sarah signed a contract with VIVA Artists Agency in 2015 after her five-year contract with GMA Artist Center expired.
The change of management came two years after Sarah figured in a controversy with GMAAC because of alleged breach of contract, which was settled in 2014.
Sarah's transfer to VAA paved the way for her to do projects with ABS-CBN, including a dancing stint in ASAP and the series My Super D.
She is included in the shelved project Written In Our Stars.
Sarah is currently not active on television because of her pregnancy.
-
-
SAM CONCEPCION
In September 2017, Sam signed a co-management contract with VIVA Artists Agency, after being with Star Magic for several years.
Aside from Star Magic, Sam's career is also managed by Carlo Orosa of STAGES.
According to reports, VIVA has movies lined-up for Sam after his transfer to the talent management company.