WHEN Maine Mendoza initially rose to popularity with her viral Dubsmash videos, and subsequently as one-half of the “Aldub” tandem, rumors that she was once an aspiring “Pinoy Big Brother” (PBB) housemate circulated online, but were never confirmed.
That is, until Wednesday, when the reality series’ big boss, Lauren Dyogi, showed in his newly launched vlog a clip of Mendoza auditioning for “PBB” in 2015. That season, dubbed “737,” produced winners Miho Nishida and Jimboy Martin.
Dyogi, ABS-CBN’s Head of TV Entertainment, was doing an explainer on the network’s ongoing audition caravan called “Star Hunt,” when he admitted having made “bad calls” in the past when it came to scouting talents.
He cited as an example Nadine Lustre, who auditioned for the “Teen Clash of 2010” edition of “PBB.” Lustre, now a major talent with a massive following, is best known for her popular tandem with real-life boyfriend James Reid, the eventual winner of that same “PBB” season she had auditioned for.
On missing out on talents like Lustre and Mendoza, Dyogi said: “Siyempre, isang tao lang ako. Marami pang ibang opportunities o avenues para sumikat. Marami na akong misses in the past. Maraming nag-audition sa akin na hindi ko napansin, pero sikat na sila ngayon.”
“That’s a bad call on my part. But then again, gano’n talaga. Siguro hindi ako ang kanilang kapalaran,” he added.
On the other hand, Dyogi has hit the jackpot multiple times with numerous former “PBB” housemates eventually making it big in showbiz. Examples shown were Maymay Entrata, Edward Barber, Kisses Delavin, Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, Elisse Joson, McCoy de Leon, Jameson Blake, Joshua Garcia, Loisa Andalio, Ryan Bang, Bailey May, Sam Milby, Ylona Garcia, and Melai Cantiveros.
With “Star Hunt,” Dyogi and his team are on the lookout for the next big stars through the touring “one-stop shop” event, as opposed to the usual per-program auditions. (ABS-CBN News)
