One of the Gen Z celebs we've been keeping our eye on lately is Anji Salvacion. The rising actress has been a fixture on our television screens since 2021, but did you know that her early showbiz beginnings go as far back as 2019? She actually started out in the industry hoping to be a singer!
Curious to know more about her? Ahead, we list down some essential facts you need to know about Anji:
What You Need To Know About Anji Salvacion
1. Anji was born on September 24, 2002.
Anji (whose real name is Angie Kristine Allen Salvacion Gorbulev) was born on September 24, 2002 in Siargao, Surigao del Norte to a Pinay mother and a Russian father. She is currently 21 years old and is a Libra—known to be charming, dynamic, and good listeners!
Growing up, she was close to her mother and younger brother as her father reportedly disappeared while working abroad in Guam when she was just eight years old. Throughout the years, Anji has grown to accept her father's disappearance, even stating in an interview in 2022 that she has finally "let go" and is now "free." "I am free from all of the grudges. I am free from all of the pain. Free from all of the hurtful memory, painful memory [sic] that I’ve gone through when he went missing," she shared.
2. Anji's starting point in showbiz was her audition for Idol Philippines in 2019.
While some children wanted to become actors or actresses, Anji wanted to become a singer. In 2019, she auditioned for Idol Philippines (using her real name, Angie Kristine) with the goal of finding her long-lost father. Though she did not make it far in the competition, her stay in the show gave her the exposure she needed, which in turn, led to minor, non-credited background roles in teleseryes. She also got cast as an extra in commercials and even became a body double for fellow singer-actress Sam Cruz, where she earned up to P30,000 per gig.
3. Anji joined Pinoy Big Brother: Kumunity Season 10 in 2021, where she emerged as the Ultimate Big Winner.
The 21-year-old was catapulted to fame when she joined the 10th season of PBB in 2021, where she was dubbed "Ang Singing Sweetheart ng Siargao." During her stay in the famed yellow house, Anji formed multiple friendships, most notably with KD Estrada, whom she had already formed a close friendship with due to their time in ASAP and the Squad Plus pre-PBB. However, the two have already amicably parted ways.
Despite being nominated for eviction several times throughout the season, Anji managed to persevere and come out as the Ultimate Big Winner of the reality show.
4. Anji is a member of the Squad Plus.
The Squad Plus is a group of talented young celebs who created fun and exciting content on YouTube while also joining Sunday performances at ASAP Natin 'To. Anji revealed that one of the heads of Idol Philippines contacted her and invited her to join the group, thus officially beginning her Star Magic contract. Fun fact: She became close friends with fellow group member Sam Cruz, whom she served as a body double for during her early days in showbiz!
5. Anji is a recording artist.
Though she is mostly focused on her acting career at the moment, Anji is still working on her dreams of becoming an acclaimed singer. Earlier this year, she released her first-ever self-penned single "Dalampasigan," which served as a tribute to her hometown and her father. Prior to this, she also lent her voice to TV soundtracks such as "Keeps On Coming Back" and "Kaya Pala" for Unloving U, "Buo" for Marry Me, Marry You, and "Don't Be Afraid" for My Sunset Girl.
6. Anji once revealed that she almost gave up on showbiz for good.
Prior to her first digital concert in 2022, Anji revealed in a press conference that she almost quit showbiz for good in 2020. "That was during the pandemic and when the [ABS-CBN] franchise was closed," she shared. "The second time that I was doubting myself was when I was about to go home and everything was just tearing apart."
Thankfully, she had her mom and her faith to hold on to when times were tough. "Even if these challenges almost got me to stop but at the end of the day, I want to thank God nahimasmasan Niya ako. He gave me a sign that I should stay." We're definitely thankful that you're still here in the industry, Anji!
7. Anji is definitely not afraid to speak her mind!
Gone are the days when celebs were expected to be prim and proper and stay silent in the face of any bashing. Nowadays, more and more celebs aren't afraid to speak their minds and let us know what they really think, and Anji is definitely one of them! Her appearance at the Star Magic's Hot Summer LaHot Sexy Bikini Ball earlier this year, where she showed up in a daring red midriff-baring gown, garnered some negative comments from netizens about her body.
In an interview with PEP.ph, she said that she feels indifferent about the naysayers. "Iniisip ko na lang eh, parang I don't handle them. I just handle how I react. So I handle myself. I don't care if people are gonna bash me. I just love my body!" Go, Anji!
* This story originally appeared on Cosmo.ph. Minor edits have been made by the Preview.ph editors.
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