ALTHOUGH I voted for Jennylyn Mercado to be the ultimate survivor, I am also aware that Yasmien Kurdi equally deserves to win the grand prize in the first season of Starstruck. She is just as talented and as stunning as Jen.
Regardless of the outcome, Yasmien had made a name for herself throughout the years. She had shed off the teeny-bopper image and had matured right in front of our eyes, into a mature, well-rounded and grounded young woman. She is even dubbed as one of Kapuso Network’s Prime Drama Queens.
Now that she is gracing the screen, yet again, with another promising drama, Las Hermanas, we can’t help but become excited of the new role she is about to play. Before the show starts, let’s look back at the things she did during her career. Here are the things you may not know about Yasmien Kurdi.
EARLY LIFE
Yasmien was born as Yasmien Kurdi Yuson on January 25, 1989 in San Juan, Metro Manila to a Lebanese father – Mohammad Kurdi and Chinese Filipino mother – Miriam Ong Yuson. Although she was born in Manila, Yasmien grew up in Kuwait where his father works.
She finished her elementary education at the Jabriya Indian School and high school from the Angelicum College. Yasmien is more than just beauty, she graduated from the Arellano University with a bachelor’s degree in political science, magna cum laude too!
CAREER BEGINNINGS
The iconic artista search television show Starstruck was where Yasmien made her debut. As a teenager, she joined together with other 13 hopefuls to have her first shot in showbusiness. Although she did not win, she was proclaimed the First Princess together with Rainier Castillo as the First Prince.
After Starstruck, Yasmien went on to appear in other television shows such as SOP Rules, Joyride (a television drama series with other Starstruck alumna), Click (television drama series that replaced T.G.I.S), Hokus Pokus which was changed to HP: To The Highest Level Na!
BREAKTHROUGH
Yasmien finally made her name in the industry when she landed the lead role in Bakekang which was aired in 2006. In this drama series, she portrayed Charming Maisog/Lokresha/Karisma. She worked with Sunshine Dizon and Lovi Poe.
Her popularity had further soared when she was paired with JC De Vera in the drama romance series Pati Ba Pintig ng Puso. It was followed by another project with JC called Pasan Ko Ang Daigdig, a remake of the original 1987 film. Because of her continuous success and high ratings, GMA dubbed her as the GMA Drama Princess.
Apart from being a competent drama actress, Yasmien Kurdi is also a successful singer. Up to this day, her debut single ‘I Know’ is still a favorite OPM song to sing in Karaoke bars. Some of her other songs include Umaambisyon and In The Name of Love. She also sings some of her teleserye OSTs.
HIATUS
After wrapping up her work in the Amaya series, Yasmien took a break from showbusiness. Given that she has been working non-stop since her Starstruck win, this is a much deserve break for Yasmien. During this time, she concentrated in getting her college education and starting a family.
She married Rey Soldevilla, who is a pilot. Yasmien gave birth to a daughter whom they named Ayesha Zara. After a two-year break, she went back to showbusiness and starred in the drama series Sa Piling Ni Nanay.
Some of Yasmien Kurdi’s notable teleseryes in the recent years include Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita, Anna Karenina, Rhodora X, Yagit, Sa Piling Ni Nanay, Hindi Ko Kayang Iwan Ka, Hiram na Anak and Beautiful Justice.
CURRENT PROJECT
Yasmien is back again with another project called Las Hermanas. She will be working with Thea Tolentino and Faith Da Silva. The drama is said to be aired in the Afternoon Prime line up.
Yasmien also is quite busy with her own YouTube Channel which currently has more than half a million subscribers.
Anyone who is excited yet? The show’s pilot episode release is yet to be determined. So while waiting, let us just enjoy ourselves and binge on her funny and entertaining videos on her Youtube account. Enjoy!
