The products of the “artista search” have come together.
In a post on Instagram, Kapuso host-actress Shaira Diaz gifted her fans and followers with a look into her recent reunion with her fellow participants in the first season of the TV5 reality-talent search, Artista Academy.
14 years after the show aired in 2012, the gathering, which she shared glimpses of in her profile, the once-aspiring stars on Philippine showbiz have already changed, though their bond remained the same.
Among those present in the gathering were winners-turned-real life couple Sophie Albert and Vin Abrenica, Shaira’s former love team Mark Neumann, Akihiro Blanco, Nicole Estrada, Jon Orlando, Stephanie Rowe, and Benjo Leoncio.
While not part of the show’s “alumni,” Diaz’s husband Edgar Allan Guzman is also in the reunion. Interestingly, it was also in that program where their paths first crossed.
Originally aired in 2012, Artista Academy was touted as the biggest search of its time, with the grand prize amounting to Php 20 million for the winning pair.
Its first season was hosted by Cesar Montano and Marvin Agustin, with the judges composed of Lorna Tolentino, Gelli de Belen, former TV5 chief content officer Wilma Galvante, and director Mac Alejandre.
In 2025, TV5 announced a reboot, which will be hosted by Julia Barretto and Xian Lim, although it is now under the production of Viva Entertainment.