Yasmien Kurdi

Yasmien Yuson Kurdi-Soldevilla (born on January 25, 1989 in San Juan City, Metro Manila), better known as Yasmien Kurdi, is a Filipino actress, singer and model. She is known for the roles of Sang'gre Mira in the 2005 series Encantadia, Salve Dizon de Leon in the remake of Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita and Shayne Rodrigo in the hit remake Saan Darating Ang Umaga?, a role originally played by Maricel Soriano.
In recent years, Kurdi is known in Rhodora X as Angela Ferrer, which started a trend in her career, then as Dolores Macabuhay in the remake of Yagit and as Ysabel Salvacion in Sa Piling ni Nanay.
Kurdi recently starred as Thea Balagtas-Angeles in the 2018 series Hindi Ko Kayang Iwan Ka, followed by the Justice for Love duology as Alicia Salvacion, its unprecedented success brought the then-largely unknown Kurdi to international attention.
Current appearances include Start-Up PH, the Philippine adaptation of the 2020 Korean series of the same name, and the 2023 series The Missing Husband.
== Personal life ==
Yasmien Yuson Kurdi was born on January 25, 1989 in San Juan City, to a Lebanese father, Mohammad Kurdi, and Miriam Ong-Yuson, a Chinese-Filipino who is a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo.
While born in the Philippines, she spent most of her early life in Kuwait because of her father's work there, and was also present along with her family during the events of the Gulf War.
She studied elementary in Jabriya Indian School, then high school in Angelicum College, and graduated magna cum laude with a degree of political science in Arellano University.
By 2012, she is now married to Rey Soldevilla, who is a pilot. In the same year, she gave birth to her first daughter, Ayesha Zara, on November 22.
Two years later, she was diagnosed with a cyst on her vocal folds. She was scheduled for surgery in July 2014 to remove the cyst. According to her doctor, there was no guarantee that her voice would fully recover after the operation.
On January 17, 2022, Kurdi herself confirmed that she tested positive for COVID-19, along with her husband and daughterYasmien Kurdi breathes a sigh of relief after finishing home quarantine with familyNAGPOSITIVE KAMING LAHAT 😞 (OUR COVID EXPERIENCE) | Yasmien Kurdi.
== Career ==
=== 2003–2006: Beginnings ===
At an early age, Kurdi joined school pageants and singing contests, which will eventually lead to her participation in the first season of StarStruck in 2003, where she became one of the Final Four contestants. Despite losing to Jennylyn Mercado, she still received ₱100,000 pesos and an exclusive management contract from GMA Network, that started her career as an actress.
Kurdi's first appearance outside of StarStruck was in the drama series Click, where she portrays Leilani. Her next major appearance was in the 2005 series Encantadia, as Sang'gre Mira, the daughter of Sang'gre Pirena (portrayed by Sunshine Dizon). Around the same time, she released her first album, In the Name of Love, which gained platinum status and won the Song of the Year award at the 2006 IFM Pinoy Music Awards.
=== 2007–2011: Breakthrough ===
After appearing in the 2006 series Bakekang, she starred in the 2007 remake of Pati Ba Pintig ng Puso with JC de Vera. The series' success led to her being cast with JC de Vera again in the following years, starting with the Pasan Ko Ang Daigdig series remake, where she potrays Lupe Velez, and in the 2008 remake of Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita, as Salve Dizon de Leon.
By 2008, Kurdi appeared as Shayne Rodrigo in another series remake, Saan Darating Ang Umaga?, while she was given more smaller roles afterward, like in the Dear Friend episode "Madrasta", and in SRO Cinermaserye. In 2010, she was cast in Grazilda as Cindy, in her first antagonist role, which redefined her career. In the 2011 series Amaya, she portrays Apila.
=== 2012–2013: Hiatus ===
Starting in 2012, Kurdi quit show business to concentrate on her college education and raising a family, after she got married to Rey Soldevilla, and giving birth to her first daughter, Ayesha Zara, later coming back in 2013 after a two-year hiatus.
=== 2014–2019: Rising popularity ===
Her first appearance following her hiatus was in Anna Karenina, as Margarita Monteclaro. By 2014, she was cast as Angela Ferrer in the 2014 series Rhodora X, that started a trend in her career, portraying a character that experiences a series of unfortunate events. At the same time, she was diagnosed with a cyst on her vocal folds, forcing the conclusion of Rhodora X in May 2014.
After undergoing surgery in June 2014, Kurdi was cast as Dolores Macabuhay in the remake of Yagit. This series is notable for being her longest appearance on record, with 203 episodes in total. Her next major appearance was in the 2016 series Sa Piling ni Nanay, as Ysabel Salvacion. The series was extended various times due to its high ratings, eventually reaching 154 episodes.
In 2018, Kurdi was cast as Thea Balagtas-Angeles in the series Hindi Ko Kayang Iwan Ka, where she won Best Drama Actress in the 32nd PMPC Star Awards for TV. By 2019, she starred in two series; Hiram na Anak and Beautiful Justice.
=== 2020 – 2023: Critical acclaim and international attention ===
==== Justice for Love duology (2020 - 2022) ====
During 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic affected the entertainment industry, shutting down or delaying production of television programs and films.
Nonetheless, she was cast in the 2020 film #JusticeForLove: End of the World as Alicia Salvacion. The film's unprecedented success further redefined her career, winning multiple awards for her performance, while renewing interest in both the disaster film genre, and the real-world discussion of asteroid impact avoidance. A prequel series was produced in 2021 in response to the film's success. The duology introduced Kurdi to an international audience, which also praised her acting and performance.
At the same time, she appeared in Las Hermanas as Dorothy Manansala, ending the trend that began with 2014's Rhodora X.
==== Start-Up PH & The Missing Husband (2022 - 2023) ====
By 2022, Kurdi was cast in the Philippine adaptation of the 2020 Korean series Start-Up as Katrina "Ina" Diaz, the Philippine counterpart of Won In-jae, originally portrayed by Kang Han-na. Due to the Justice for Love duology becoming a phenomenal success, the series quickly became the most anticipated Philippine television series of 2022.
Other projects during this year include the short film The Final Moments, the conclusion of the Justice for Love duology, and as Rebecca de Guzman in the 2022 film Godzilla: The Kaiju Invasion, later becoming a recurring character in the Reiwa series. By 2023, she is cast as Millie Rosales in the series The Missing Husband.
=== 2024 - present: Hiatus ===
Following the conclusion of The Missing Husband, Kurdi announced that she is pregnant with her second childYasmien Kurdi is pregnant with baby number 2!, which resulted in her prioritizing her personal life more than her acting career, with The Missing Husband serving as her last appearance until mid-2024.
== Selected filmography ==
:Due to her long filmography, this section will focus specifically on select roles that is well-known only. For the full list, click here.
*	denotes an entry film for Metro Manila Film Festival.
Year 	Title 	Role 	Notes
2003 – 2004	StarStruck 	Herself 	First appearance
2004 	Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita 	Senyang 	First & second appearance in a Metro Manila Film Festival entry
2004 	So Happy Together 	Raphie 	First & second appearance in a Metro Manila Film Festival entry
2005 	Encantadia 	Mira 	One of her well-known roles. Later portrayed by Kate Valdez in the 2016 remake
2005 	Shake, Rattle and Roll 2k5 	Laila 	Third appearance in a Metro Manila Film Festival entryWhile credited in the film, incorrectly spelled as "Yasmien Curdi"
2007 	Bahay Kubo: A Pinoy Mano Po! 	Dahlia 	Fourth appearance in a Metro Manila Film Festival entry
2010 – 2011	Grazilda 	Cindy 	First antagonist role
2014 	Rhodora X 	Angela Ferrer-Aquino 	Started a trend in her career: portraying a character that experiences a series of unfortunate events
2014 — 2015	Yagit 	Dolores "Dolor" Macabuhay-Guison 	Remake of the popular 1983 series of the same nameLongest appearance on record, with 203 episodes in total
2016 — 2017	Sa Piling ni Nanay 	Ysabel Salvacion-de Guzman 	
2018 	Hindi Ko Kayang Iwan Ka 	Althea "Thea" Balagtas-Angeles 	
2019 	Hiram na Anak 	Miren Alonta-Sandejo 	
2019 	Beautiful Justice 	Alicia "Alice" Santos-Vida 	First role portraying a character named AliciaWhile her full name is Alicia in Beautiful Justice, she is always referred to simply as Alice, both in-universe and all external sources. Thus, #JusticeForLove: End of the World is the first instance her character is actually referred to as Alicia.
2020 	#JusticeForLove: End of the World 	Alicia Salvacion 	Adapted from The Last War and inspired by the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction eventFifth appearance in a Metro Manila Film Festival entry
2021 	Justice for Love Presents: The Obsession 	Alicia Salvacion 	Prequel to the 2020 film #JusticeForLove: End of the World produced by Toho and GMA Pictures
2021 — 2022	Las Hermanas 	Dorothy Manansala 	End of trend: portraying a character that experiences a series of unfortunate events
2022 	Start-Up PH 	Katrina "Ina" Diaz 	Philippine adaptation of the 2020 Korean series of the same name
Return to antagonist roles not seen since 2010's GrazildaOriginally portrayed by Kang Han-na in the original series
2022 	Godzilla: The Kaiju Invasion 	Rebecca de Guzman 	First appearance in the mainstream Reiwa series
2023 	The Missing HusbandYasmien Kurdi at Nadine Samonte, muling magsasama sa 'The Missing Husband'	Millie RosalesIN PHOTOS: Kilalanin ang cast ng mystery drama series na 'The Missing Husband'	
== Songs ==
As a singer, Yasmien Kurdi released two studio albums. Her first album, In the Name of Love, was released in 2005 and attained platinum status, while in 2007, her second album, Love Is All I Need, reached gold status.
== Awards and nominations ==
Year	Award 	Category 	Nominated work 	Result
2004	18th PMPC Star Awards for Television 	Best New Female TV Personality 	Click 	
2005	GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards 	Most Promising Female Singer 	 	
2006	IFM Pinoy Music Awards 	Breakthrough Singer of the Year 	 	
2006	IFM Pinoy Music Awards 	Song of the Year 	In the Name of Love 	
2006	MYX Music Awards 	Favorite New Artist 	 	
2006	Philippine Association of the Record Industry	Platinum Record Award 	In the Name of Love 	
2007	Philippine Association of the Record Industry	Gold Record Award 	Love Is All I Need 	
2014	28th PMPC Star Awards for Television 	Best Single Performance by an Actress 	Magpakailanman: Nalunod na Pag-asa: The Cebu Ship Collision	
2018	32nd PMPC Star Awards for Television 	Best Drama Actress 	Hindi Ko Kayang Iwan Ka 	
2019	33rd PMPC Star Awards for Television 	Best Single Performance by an Actress 	Tadhana 	
2019	33rd PMPC Star Awards for Television 	Best Drama Actress 	Hiram na Anak 	
2021	37th PMPC Star Awards for Movies 	Movie Actress of the Year 	#JusticeForLove: End of the World 	
2021	44th Japan Academy Film Prize 	Actress of the Year 	#JusticeForLove: End of the World 	
2021	Gintong Parangal 2021 	Most Inspiring Filipino Actress of the Year 	 	Yasmien Kurdi, hinirang na 'Most Inspiring Filipino Actress of the Year' sa Gintong Parangal
2021	3rd Dangal ng Lahi Awards 	Most Remarkable Actress of the Year 	 	Yasmien Kurdi, kinilala sa ikatlong Dangal ng Lahi Awards
2022	5th Asia Pacific Luminare Awards 	Asia's Valuable and Significant TV Actress of the Year 	 	"Asia’s Valuable and Significant TV Actress of the Year"
2022	Crystal International Women's Awards 2022 	Remarkable Lead Actress of Her Generation 	 	" REMARKABLE LEAD ACTRESS OF HER GENERATION "
2022	Maharlikang Filipino Awards 2022 	Maharlikang Parangal sa Larangan ng Musika, Sine at Telebisyon 	 	Image from Facebook
2022	Gawad Pilipino 2022 Icon Awards 	Iconic Artist of the Year 	 	Image from Facebook
2022	2nd Diamond Excellence Awards 	Outstanding TV Actress of the Year 	 	OUTSTANDING TV ACTRESS OF THE YEAR
2022	Brand Asia Awards 	Top Actress of the Year 	 	Yasmien Kurdi, kinilala bilang 'Top Actress of the Year' sa Brand Asia Awards
2023	7th GEMS Awards 2023 	Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role 	Start-Up PH 	Image from Facebook
2023	35th PMPC Star Awards for Television 	Best Drama Actress 	Justice for Love Presents: The Obsession 	
2023	3rd Southeast Asian Achievement Awards 	Best Actress 2022 	 	“BEST ACTRESS 2022”Yasmien Kurdi wins 'Best Actress 2022' at the 3rd Southeast Asian Achievement Awards
2023	Crystal International Women's Awards 2023 	Outstanding Women of Inspiration with Significant Achievement in Philippine TV and Film	 	"One night, two recognitions from two different award giving bodies."Yasmien Kurdi honored with two awards in one night: 'I am truly grateful and humbled'
2023	10th Philippine Social Media Awards 2023 	Most Outstanding Female Celebrity & Performing Artist 	 	"One night, two recognitions from two different award giving bodies."Yasmien Kurdi honored with two awards in one night: 'I am truly grateful and humbled'
== Links ==
* Sparkle GMA Artist Center profile
* Yasmien Kurdi on Facebook
* Yasmien Kurdi on Twitter
* Yasmien Kurdi on Instagram
* Yasmien Kurdi on YouTube
* Yasmien Kurdi on Spotify
* Yasmien Kurdi on IMDb
== Trivia ==
* In most of her personal posts and videosYasmien Kurdi on Twitter: Thank you Pangga!FATHER'S DAY PANGGA! | Yasmien KurdiPAANO BA MANLIGAW SI PANGGA SA AKIN? MOTHER'S DAY ❤️😜 | Yasmien Kurdi, she could be heard or seen frequently using the word panggaIn some languages however, such as Hiligaynon, the word for "dear" or "love" is actually Palangga., which means "dear" or "love" in English, and is used in various languages across the Western Visayas region, particularly Hiligaynon, Aklanon, Capiznon, and Kinaray-a, suggesting that she also has some kind of descent from the regionWestern Visayas consists of six provinces (Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo and Negros Occidental) and two highly urbanized cities (Bacolod and Iloilo City)..
* Most notable works that redefined her acting career include Encantadia in 2005, Grazilda in 2010, Rhodora X in 2014, and #JusticeForLove: End of the World in 2020.
* Due to a trend in her career, all of her appearances starting from Rhodora X in 2014 until Las Hermanas in 2021 features Kurdi portraying the exact same character over and over, one that experiences a series of unfortunate events, just different names and backstory in each appearance.
* In one of her videos, it is revealed that she is actually suffering from asthma, as she takes an inhaler with her most of the time.
== Notes ==
== References ==
Category:Non-Fanon
Category:Celebrities
Category:Actresses
Category:Singers
Category:People from Philippines