# LJ Reyes

Lourna Jane Pujeda Reyes-Evangelista (born December 25, 1987), known professionally as LJ Reyes, is a Filipino actress. She is best known as one of the Final Four in the second season of the widely acclaimed GMA reality TV show, StarStruck. She won Best Actress at the 39th Gawad Urian Awards. She is currently an exclusive artist of GMA Network until she left by expiring her contract in 2018.

## Life and career

LJ Reyes was born in Fairview, Quezon City. She spent her high school days at St. Stephen's High School.
In 2004, Reyes auditioned for the second season of StarStruck where she ended up as First Princess. Her first show was Now and Forever: Mukha, where she worked with StarStruck runners-up and winners Ryza Cenon, CJ Muere and Mike Tan. Aside from acting, she is also a good dancer, performing with Cenon, Mark Herras, Marky Cielo among others. She is involved mostly in supporting roles on GMA Network shows.
Reyes had her biggest break as a lead villainess in Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan then, playing one of the leading ladies to JC de Vera in Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita. Reyes had another break by joining the cast of Una Kang Naging Akin, another Filipino soap opera. Reyes was given many praises by critics for her outstanding role in Una Kang Naging Akin which made her rise to fame. She posed for the local FHM magazine in December 2009 where she was also the cover girl.
In 2010, she formed a trio called SH3, with Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza, and they performed on the Sunday variety show SOP Rules until the group disbanded because of plagiarism issues. In the same year, she won as Best Supporting Actress in Cinemalaya for her role in the indie movie The Leaving.
Reyes was baptized as a Born again Christian in August 2015.

## Personal life

She dated fellow GMA artist Paulo Avelino, who was a contestant in the fourth season of StarStruck. On July 24, 2010, she gave birth to their son. She dated Paolo Contis from 2016 to 2021. On January 4, 2019, she gave birth to their daughter, Summer Ayana, from his relationship with Reyes. On September 1, 2021, she confirmed that she and Contis were no longer together. On May 30, 2023, Reyes announced her engagement to her boyfriend, Philip Evangelista. The couple married on October 8, 2023 in Eatons Neck, New York.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Studio |
| 2005 | Lovestruck | Sophia | GMA Films |
| 2006 | Puso 3 | Erika | GMA Films |
| 2006 | Manay Po! | Gina | Regal Entertainment |
| 2007 | Pi7ong Tagpo | Tanya | C Features |
| 2010 | The Leaving | Grace | Cinemalaya |
| 2012 | Intoy Syokoy ng Kalye Marino | Doray | Cinemalaya |
| 2012 | Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles | Hilda | Reality Entertainment, Agosto Dos Pictures, GMA Films |
| 2013 | She's the One | Alice | Star Cinema |
| 2015 | Anino Sa Likod ng Buwan | Emma | Octobertrain Films, The IdeaFirst Company |
| 2015 | Haunted Mansion | Veronica Lobregat | Regal Entertainment |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Network |
| 2005 | Now and Forever: Mukha | Melody | GMA Network |
| 2006 | I Luv NY | Ponyang | GMA Network |
| 2006–2007 | Makita Ka Lang Muli | Vianne | GMA Network |
| 2007 | Magic Kamison | Misty | GMA Network |
| 2007 | Lupin | Elaine | GMA Network |
| 2007 | Fantastic Man | Binhi (Season 2) | GMA Network |
| 2007–2008 | Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan | Amazonang Lila / Debbie | GMA Network |
| 2008 | Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita | Joanna Marie "Joey" Salcedo | GMA Network |
| 2008 | Sine Novela: Una Kang Naging Akin | Liway Mallari | GMA Network |
| 2009 | Totoy Bato | Gilette Molina | GMA Network |
| 2009 | Zorro | Sandy | GMA Network |
| 2009 | All My Life | Maricar | GMA Network |
| 2010 | Sine Novela: Ina, Kasusuklaman Ba Kita? | Katrina Evangelista | GMA Network |
| 2011 | Time of My Life | Zaira Marquez | GMA Network |
| 2012 | The Good Daughter | Francesca "Frances" Alejandro Reyes | GMA Network |
| 2012–2013 | Aso ni San Roque | Lourdes / Lualhati Salvador | GMA Network |
| 2013 | Wagas (Coach Rio Dela Cruz and Nicole Wuthrich Story) | Nicole Wuthrich | GMA News TV |
| 2013 | Bayan Ko | Atty. Karen Canlas | GMA News TV |
| 2013–2014 | Prinsesa ng Buhay Ko | Kate Napoleon | GMA Network |
| 2014–2015 | Yagit | Florentina "Flora" Fabro Trinidad-Macabuhay | GMA Network |
| 2015 | Magpakailanman: Under1Roof | Heidi | GMA Network |
| 2015 | Karelasyon#PanchoLJRyza | Melissa | GMA Network |
| 2015–2016 | MariMar | Inocencia Corcuera-Arcega | GMA Network |
| 2016 | Wagas (Courageous Caitie Story) | Feliz Lucas | GMA News TV |
| 2016 | Alamat: Alamat ng Saging | Juana (Voice Only) | GMA Network |
| 2016 | Karelasyon | Claire | GMA Network |
| 2016 | Poor Señorita | Angie Batumbakal | GMA Network |
| 2016 | Dear Uge: Single Teacher meets Single Dad | Luisa | GMA Network |
| 2016 | Dear Uge: My Millenial Mom | Rita | GMA Network |
| 2017 | Pinulot Ka Lang sa Lupa | Angeli "Geli" Martinez-Esquivel | GMA Network |
| 2017 | Wish Ko Lang: Miss Pulis | SPO3 Rowena Jacosalem | GMA Network |
| 2017 | D' Originals | Marjorie "Marge" Pineda-Tolentino | GMA Network |
| 2017 | 3 Days of Summer | Herself | GMA Network |
| 2017 | Tadhana: Yaya Abogada | Chona | GMA Network |
| 2017 | Road Trip | Herself | GMA Network |
| 2018 | Sherlock Jr. | Meryl | GMA Network |
| 2018 | The Cure | Katrina Contes | GMA Network |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Organization/Critics | Category | Work | Result |
| 2016 | 39th Gawad Urian Awards | Best Actress | Ang Anino sa Likod ng Buwan | Won |
| 2016 | 32nd PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Movie Actress of the Year | Ang Anino sa Likod ng Buwan | Nominated |
| 2013 | ENPRESS Golden Screen Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Drama) | Intoy Shokoy ng Kalye Marino | Nominated |
| 2010 | Cinemalaya 2010 | Best Supporting Actress | The Leaving | |
| 2008 | FHM Philippines | Rank #89 | | |
| 2007 | FHM Philippines | Rank #45 | | |
| 2006 | FHM Philippines | Rank #65 | | |
| 2005 | StarStruck 2 | First Princess | | |
| 2005 | StarStruck 2 | 4 Pre-Recognition Award | | |