Ten years ago, GMA-7’s Filipino adaptation of the hit Mexicanovela Marimar aired in primetime television, capturing the hearts of Filipinos nationwide and catapulting its lead actress, Marian Rivera, to stardom.
Before landing the role, Rivera had to audition and beat 10 other actresses to play the alluring and beautiful Marimar originally portrayed by Mexican star Thalia.
In 2008, the audition video was leaked and has recently gone viral, with 2.3 million views on Youtube as of time of writing.
In the video, the actresses are seen wearing two-piece outfits and doing a Latin dance. They also delivered a few lines talking to Marimar’s pet Fulgoso.
Video credit: Noynoy Fernandez
Kapuso stars like Pauleen Luna and Jennylyn Mercado tried their luck but didn’t make the cut.
Here are the 10 actresses who auditioned back in 2007 now:
1. Karylle Yuzon
Photo credit: anakarylle, Instagram
A year after Marimar aired on Philippine television, Karylle broke up with long-time boyfriend Dingdong Dantes, who is now happily married to Marian Rivera. That same year, the actress changed stations from GMA to ABS-CBN.
Since then, the actress can be seen as a host of ABS-CBN noontime variety program It’s Showtime alongside Anne Curtis, Vhong Navarro, and Vice Ganda.
In 2010, Karylle found love again in Sponge Cola vocalist Yael Yuzon and the two tied the knot in 2014 in Cavite.
2. Jennylyn Mercado
Photo credit: mercadojenny, Instagram
The Starstruck alumna continued to star in a number of telenovelas in her home network and also became a sought-after actress for romantic-comedy movies, starring in films like English Only Please, The Prenup, and Walang Forever.
In 2007, she announced she was pregnant with son Alex Jazz from her relationship with actor Patrick Garcia. Since then, the singer-actress has dated host Luis Manzano and Dennis Trillo.
In 2015, Mercado was named FHM Philippines’ Sexiest Woman, a title previously held by Marimar star Marian Rivera.
3. Rhian Ramos
Photo credit: whianramos, Instagram
Rhian has blossomed into a full-fledged actress and host, appearing recently in the drama My Love from the Star and the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival entry Saving Sally.
She is currently a host of GMA News TV’s Taste Buddies with Solenn Heusaff-Bolzico.
4. Pauleen Luna
Photo credit: pauleenlunasotto, Instagram
In 2005, Pauleen became a regular host of the longest-running Philippine noontime show, Eat Bulaga, where she met her husband, host Vic Sotto. The two tied the knot in 2016 and are expecting their first child by the end of the year.
5. Bianca King
Photo credit: bianca_king
In 2009, Bianca was cast as one of the leading ladies of Richard Gutierrez in the Philippine adaptation of Zorro, alongside fellow Marimar auditionee Rhian Ramos.
Last year, Bianca transferred to ABS-CBN and is now starring in the afternoon drama Pusong Ligaw.
6. Nadine Samonte
Photo credit: nadinesamonte, Instagram
In 2010, Nadine became a part of the cast of the Koreanovela remake Endless Love as Shirley, the main antagonist to the characters played by Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera.
After she and businessman husband Richard Chua welcomed their daughter Heather in 2016, Nadine stepped out of the limelight and focused on being a full-time mother.
7. Valerie Concepcion
Photo credit: v_concepcion, Instagram
Since her 2007 audition, Valerie has starred in a number of ABS-CBN and GMA teleseryes including FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano and can be currently seen in GMA’s Mulawin vs. Ravena.
Valerie has a teenage daughter Heather Fiona from a previous relationship.
8. Katrina Halili
Photo credit: katrina_halili, Instagram
Although she did not get the lead role, Katrina joined the cast of the 2007 remake as the antagonist, Angelika Santibañez.
The same year, she won her second FHM Philippines sexiest woman title.
In 2012, she gave birth to her daughter named Katrence Lawrence Halili Cadevida.
9. Cheska Garcia-Kramer
Photo credit: chekakramer, Instagram
In 2008, n 2008, Cheska gave up acting and married long-time boyfriend basketball player Doug Kramer.
The couple has three children, Kendra, Scarlett, and Gavin. Together, they make up “Team Kramer”, one of the most followed Filipino families in Instagram.
10. Jewel Mische
Photo credit: mischejewel, Instagram
In 2011, the Starstruck alumna transferred to ABS-CBN and starred in dramas like 100 DaysTo Heaven and Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Paraiso before leaving showbiz to settle down with American husban Alister Kurzer in Michigan.
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[su_video url=”https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com/t50.2886-16/17287924_391160441256749_411702826121560064_n.mp4″]Now 33, Barrios the president of Tatiomax Pharmaceutical Corporation which he manages with his wife, Regina, who is the CEO.
Photo credti: sbbariosjr, Instagram
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