When celebrities choose to forego the limelight to pursue a career abroad, it often leaves their avid fans with a bittersweet feeling. While fans are sad to see their idols moving on from showbiz, they are also happy to see them breaking new ground in other areas of their lives. Below, see 12 celebrities that are no longer visible in the showbiz scene.
United States of America
1. Joyce Jimenez
One of the most in-demand faces in the late '90s was Joyce Jimenez, who was given the moniker "Pantasya ng Bayan." Joyce is currently based in California, and works as a full-time mommy blogger and a fitness enthusiast. She lives with her Fil-Am husband Paul Ely Egbalic and their three children: daughters Jorja Ely and Jaysen Elise, and son Julian Elysson.
2. Ruby Rodriguez
After her departure from the longest-running noontime show Eat Bulaga!, Ruby Rodriguez updated Dabarkads with her whereabouts in a series of posts. She revealed that she now has an office job at the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, California. Ruby's family decided to migrate to the U.S. indefinitely because of the medical requirements needed by her son AJ, who has a rare autoimmune disease.
3. Michelle Madrigal
Before moving to the U.S. in 2016 to study culinary arts in Texas, Michelle Madrigal was among the cast of ABS-CBN series like Pasion De Amor, Born For You, and FPJ's Ang Probinsyano, where she played the role of police officer Sunshine Monteloyola. She got married to Troy Woolfolk in 2019, and separated in 2021. They welcomed their only daughter Anika in October 2017.
Since her divorce was finalized in May 2022, Michelle has found herself new love in Kyle, her current boyfriend. Like her, Kyle is also a divorced parent.
4. Serena Dalrymple
Having left the spotlight in 2007, Serena Dalrymple-Bredillet officially left the Philippines after earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde in 2011. Serena now works as a technical program manager in a financial software company in New Hampshire. The former child actress tied the knot with Thomas Bredillet on October 2, 2022.
5. G Tongi
G. Tongi's fame skyrocketed in the ‘90s and early 2000s with roles in TV shows Gimik, Beh Bote Nga, Mulawin, Paraiso Ko'y Ikaw, and movies like Enteng Kabisote and Langit sa Piling Mo. In 2005, the Swiss-Filipino artist tied the knot with Tim Walters. The couple moved to the U.S. in 2014, and now has two children, Kenobi and Sakura. She is actively working as a radio DJ and columnist.
6. Jewel Mische
Jewel Mische is having the best time of her life in the States with her husband Alex Kurzer and their baby daughters Aislah Rose, Emerald Jade, and Yzbel Quinn. The StarStruck: The Next Level alum, who was named the reality show's Ultimate Sweetheart, calls her cozy home in Michigan Rosewood Castle, which looks like fairytale castle.
7. Princess Punzalan
In 2005, Princess Punzalan married her American husband, Jayson Field, and left her showbiz career in the Philippines. She studied nursing at Santa Monica College in California in 2009, and became a hospice nurse.
However, for the past three years, she has been taking regular acting classes with her coach Billy Hufsey to keep her acting muscles "limber" and for her to act in a way that is more relatable to an American audience. With lady luck on her side, she announced in August 2022 that she finally landed a role in the upcoming American crime drama TV series The Cleaning Lady.
Canada
8. Nancy Castiglione
Filipino-Italian beauty Nancy Castiglione left her job as a commercial model, TV host, and actress in the Philippines in 2012. She and her family of five—which consists of her husband Ritchie Bautista, twins Matteo and Joaquin, and youngest daughter Riley Brooke—are residents of Manitoba, Canada.
Nancy received her certification as a Certified Hypnotherapist and Consulting Hypnotist in 2020. She is currently preoccupied with her pottery classes.
Australia
9. Makisig Morales
Child actor Makisig Morales quit showbiz at the age of 17, to be with his family in Australia. Makisig tied the knot with Fil-Aussie beauty queen Nicole Joson on January 9, 2019. The couple has since started a small online food business. Meanwhile, Makisig continues to pursue his singing career in Australia.
Norway
10. Aj Dee
AJ Dee is a Filipino model, swimmer, and the older brother of actor and fellow swimmer Enchong Dee. In an exclusive interview with PEP.ph in 2015, AJ confirmed that he is migrating to Norway with his Filipino-Norwegian wife Olga, and sons Maximus James and Alexandros Jaden. As soon as he moved, AJ gained notable traction for appearing in GQ UK magazine in 2016. He has since become a prolific fashion blogger.
Spain
11. Kitchie Nadal
Among the prominent figures of OPM in the early 2000s, Kitchie Nadal rose to stardom with hit songs Huwag Na Huwag Mong Sasabihin, Bulong, and Same Ground. In 2015, Kitchie tied the knot with Spanish journalist Carlos Lopez in Tagaytay. She and her husband, along with their son Keon, now live peacefully in Spain.
Aside from being a full-time housewife, Kitchie is also an active member of a Christian community in their area. The OPM icon came back to Manila on November 26, 2022, when she performed alongside five other women of Pinoy rock, for a one-night concert titled TANAW at The Theatre at Solaire.
Austria
12. Cindy Kurleto
Cindy Kurleto was at the height of her showbiz success when she flew to Peru in 2007, after being diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). The Fil-Austrian beauty lived with her husband, Barbadian British businessman Daniel Joseph Navalia, in Peru for eight years. They welcomed their first daughter Noa in 2010.
Due to the weakening state of her father back in 2016, Cindy's family moved to Vienna, Austria to take care of him, before he eventually passed away. In that same year, Cindy gave birth to her second daughter, Lima.
In the topic of making a comeback, Cindy affirmed that she is very much open to be back in showbiz.
*This story originally appeared on Pep.ph. Minor edits have been made by the Preview.ph editors.
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