Kim Chiu in a dress by Debbie Co | Photography by Gee Plamenco, Jr.

Kim Chiu is one of the most sought-after artists in the Philippine entertainment scene. That speaks volumes about her passion, strength, and resilience, given that she’s been in the industry for almost two decades. 

Dubbed the “Chinita Princess,” her journey has been nothing short of remarkable and spectacular—from a young aspirant to a seasoned actress, host, dancer, singer, and businesswoman. All the more, she deserves the spotlight this Women’s Month. 

Kim’s natural charm and authenticity first captured people’s hearts when she entered the Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition and was proclaimed the Big Winner back in 2006. That was the beginning of a fruitful, colorful journey for Kim; her moment of fame led to years of a successful career. She took every opportunity, big or small, and used it as a building block to fortify her foundation in the industry. 

Photo from @chinitaprincess

From dreamer to doer

From starring in top-rated series to headlining buzz-worthy films to being one of the most in-demand brand ambassadors, Kim has constantly proven that she is more than just a reality show champion. In 2020, she joined It’s Showtime as one of its hosts. 

She’s had hosting experience through the Sunday noontime musical variety show ASAP. But the daily grind on It’s Showtime is a different challenge that further hones her hosting skills and proves her dedication to work. She brings smiles and laughter to audiences (“madlang people,” as they’re called), week after week, with her vibrant, bubbly personality. “Work talaga is something very precious to us,” Kim said in a previous interview as she described her and onscreen partner Paulo Avelino’s similarities. 

In a full circle moment, Kim is also one of the hosts of Pinoy Big Brother today, reflecting how she never forgets her roots and is proud of where she came from.

And if there’s one thing that defines Kim Chiu, it’s her astonishing perseverance. The entertainment industry is not an easy place to thrive in, but the ever-hardworking Kim has stayed passionate and is always willing to learn and go the extra mile to deliver above and beyond expectations.

Photo from @chinitaprincess

Much-deserved spotlight

In all her projects, she handles things with grace and professionalism. More recently, her portrayal of Juliana Lualhati in the series Linlang proved to be one of her best performances; it even brought her international recognition!

Last year, Kim was awarded Outstanding Asian Star at the Seoul International Drama Awards—an event that made Filipinos scream loud and proud; this recognition put her alongside South Korea's Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon, Malaysia's Siti Saleha, Singapore's Desmond Tan, and Thailand's Win Metawin. This portrayal also got Kim a Best Female Lead in a TV Programme nomination at the ContentAsia Awards, another testament to how her talent and popularity can go beyond the local scene. 

Linlang tackles infidelity issues in a marriage, a plotline that allowed her to flex her acting skills in thrilling dramatic scenes. It saw her get paired with Paulo Avelino for the first time. The two would eventually star in the remake of the hit Korean series What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim and the new movie My Love Will Make You Disappear, which marks their KimPau team-up’s debut movie together. Her portrayal in What's Wrong With Secretary Kim—which we thought was a perfect fit for her charm and personality—also did not go unnoticed because she was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the Asian Television Awards.

Kim’s latest award is the Best Drama Actress recognition from the 38th PMPC Star Awards for Television, also for Linlang—a role that she said gave her so much validation as an actress. During her acceptance speech, she talked about her character Juliana, saying, "To Juliana, natatakot akong gawin ka. Pero sabi nga nila, hindi ka mag-gro-grow kung hindi mo haharapin 'yung kinakatakutan mo." She also dedicated the award to the late Dreamscape head, Deo Endrinal who she considers the first person to ever believe in her.  

Kim also received the PMPC awards on behalf of her It's Showtime co-hosts for Best Variety Show and her Pinoy Big Brother: Gen 11 co-hosts for Best Reality Show Host. Kim and Paulo also won the German Moreno Power Tandem Award for their team-up in Linlang.

Earlier this month, she was also recognized as one of the top taxpayers in the media industry, showing a good example by upholding integrity and responsibility in tax compliance.

Now, with the release of My Love Will Make You Disappear, Kim shows her versatility on the big screen yet again, treading the rom-com genre she so effortlessly owns while also leaving a lasting impression in the drama and horror genres years before. 

Kim Chiu in a custom gown by Francis Libiran as she receives the Outstanding Asian Award at the Seoul International Drama Awards | Photo by Dookie Ducay

Living in the moment

But Kim's accomplishments extend beyond the entertainment industry. She is also a proud entrepreneur, managing the House of Little Bunny, a bag business that taps into her entrepreneurial flair and girl boss energy; the brand, which is now almost three years old, has an online shop and a physical store in Quezon City. This facet gives her a sense of balance, allowing her to lead a well-rounded lifestyle. Her business, she says, helps her “zone out from showbiz.”

Even with her hectic schedule, Kim always carves out time for the activities she enjoys and for spending quality time with her loved ones. Through the years, she remains that same girl with grand aspirations—except now, she’s actually realizing them and then some. “Kumpleto naman ’yung ikot ng life,” Kim said in her signature endearing tone. ”May work, may personal, and may career so healthy naman siya in everything.” 

As we celebrate women and their accomplishments this month, Kim Chiu exemplifies the essence of pursuing dreams, putting in hard work, and overcoming every obstacle. From a humble Cebuana girl to being globally celebrated, Kim’s story serves as a gentle reminder that success does not come overnight—it is earned by those who choose to keep moving forward, no matter how challenging their path can be.

Photo from @chinitaprincess

"I live one day at a time kasi hindi mo alam baka bukas wala ka na. 'Wag naman! Kasi parang i-enjoy na lang ‘yung bawat araw na meron ka. Live in the moment and enjoy the present," Kim told Metro.Style. 

Living in the moment is something she learned during the pandemic. This is why she said she also stopped making bucket lists since. While she gives her best in everything she does and plans just enough to future-proof her life and career, she lets fate and destiny do their work and surprise her. “Kasi [kapag] may project, go lang nang go. Kasi naman ’yung project [would be] giving us something, ’yung growth. Nandoon naman talaga ‘yung passion namin for acting and to entertain people,” Kim said, echoing her and Paulo’s shared passion for acting.  

It’s a perspective that truly reflects her approach to life—being fully present and not wasting any second that can be considered a blessing. 

Talent, perseverance, enthusiasm, and genuineness make a perfect combination for great success, as Kim Chiu’s journey proves. She’s not merely a star; she’s a source of inspiration with a story that deserves to be shared this Women’s Month and beyond.

Kim in a dress by H&M Studio and heels by Saint Laurent | Photography by Gee Plamenco, Jr.

Catch Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino's My Love Will Make You Disappear in cinemas beginning March 26!