KIM CHIU had been a constant staple of all things TV – television commercials, series, movies, music videos, reality show, and everything in between. Ever since she was a contestant and eventually the grand winner at the reality television series, Pinoy Big Brother, she never stopped working.
Fast forward to 2020, she has been blessed with television projects, a movie, two singles, a successful Youtube channel, and another shot at life after the brutal incident that left her permanently traumatized.
Let us look back at her career, and understand why a simple, humble teen from Cebu City, became one of the country’s most bankable actor, endorser, host and all around role model for the youth.
Early Beginnings
Kim was born Kimberly Sue Yap Chiu on April 19, 1990 in Tacloban Leyte and is the fourth of five children. Due to the separation of her parents when she was only eight years old, she and all her siblings were raised by her grandmother. She had a rough childhood, often moving and relocating to different places.
She has been estranged with her father for several years and had only reconciled with him in 2013. In the same year, her biological mother died due to brain aneurysm. From her humble beginnings and upbringing, she worked her way up to where she is now.
Start in Showbusiness
It was the reality television show Pinoy Big Brother that opened a lot of opportunities for Kim. Being proclaimed the grand winner of the show in 2006, she started her acting career with Star Magic in 2007. The show which catapulted her to primetime notoriety is the television series “Sana Maulit Muli” in which she was paired with Gerald Anderson.
Due to her much acclaimed performance in the series, it led to her winning numerous awards. She starred in her first lead film in the movie “I’ve Fallen For You” and had continuously accomplished numerous films from Star Cinema, Starflix and Regal Films.
Personal Life and Business Ventures
She dated her reel and real partner Gerald Anderson from 2006 to 2010. After two years of being single, she publicly admitted that she is exclusively dating Xian Lim since 2012. It was only in 2018 that she confirmed her relationship with the talented actor.
She enrolled at the University of the Philippines – Open University, with the degree in Business Management. The reason for this is she wanted to have a hands on approach on all her business ventures such as various food franchises and real estate. Although it is her sister, Lakam, who manages the businesses for now, she aims to manage them on her own someday.
2020 Projects
This year, Kim Chiu and Xian Lim reunited via the afternoon drama series ‘Love Thy Woman’ where they were also joined by Yam Concepcion plus veteran actors Eula Valdez, Christopher de Leon, Sunshine Cruz and many more. The series ended on a high note and was well-loved by Kapamilya viewers despite the ongoing pandemic.
She has been active in her YouTube channel, Kim Chiu PH which has over two million subscribers. She also starred in the movie “U-Turn”, a story of a young reporter’s investigation on several horrible suicides. The film also stars JM De Guzman and Tony Labrusca, directed by Roderick Cabrido and under Star Cinema.
Her new digital series ‘Bawal Lumabas: The Series’ premiered on December 14. It is the story about the main lead’s quest to reunite with her sibling this coming holidays. It also stars Rafael Rosell, Francine Diaz, Kyle Echarri, Paulo Angeles and Trina Legaspi.
Apart from those projects, she is also a mainstay host now for It’s Showtime and she remained in ASAP where she dances gracefully every Sunday.
Honestly, it is quite refreshing and incredibly inspiring to watch the growth of a young shy teenager to the mature, confident woman she now is. Kim Chiu embodies the actual personification of someone who worked hard to overcome the unfair advantages of others. With her career at its peak, numerous hustles on the side, multiple business ventures and a trusting and supportive relationship, Kim Chiu definitely deserve it all.
