Ivana Alawi’s been a hot topic lately. From catching eyes with her hubadera Instagram posts, to winning hearts with her entertaining YouTube videos, the vlogger and actress has quickly grown into a social media superstar. Now boasting a growing following of over 8.8 million YouTube subscribers, and 5.7 million Instagram followers, it’s definitely high-time we meet the woman behind the picture-perfect body and sultry photos.
1. Her real name is Mariam Al-Alawi.
It was Ivana’s manager Perry Lansigan who thought of her screen name, Ivana Alawi. In a video interview with the actress, he explained that he wanted her to go by a different name since her real one sounded like it was simply spelled wrong.
2. She’s a Christmas baby.
Yep, Ivana was born on December 25, 1996 to her Moroccan father and Filipino mother.
3. She spent her childhood in Bahrain before moving to the Philippines.
4. She was a StarStruck contestant.
Ivana joined the sixth season of the celebrity search reality show Starstruck which regularly aired on GMA-7. Back then, she competed under her real name and reached the Top 28 before facing elimination.
5. She originally dreamt of working in the fashion industry.
After her one year contract with GMA, post-Starstruck, expired, she refused to re-sign with the network and had thought of giving up on acting altogether. Having always had a penchant for dressing up, Ivana soon enrolled in Enderun under Fashion Marketing in the hopes of establishing a clothing line to replace her former acting dreams.
6. She got her first big break in 2018
Ivana’s career finally got the push it needed when she landed a few jobs on ABS-CBN in 2018. Her first appearance on the network was for a supporting role on the afternoon drama Precious Hearts Romances presents Araw Gabi. Just a few months later, she got casted as Amor, Eddie Garcia’s gold-digging girlfriend, in the long-running Pinoy series FPJ's Ang Probinsyano. The said role finally sparked her growing celebrity status in the industry.
7. She also has an athletic side to her.
The actress is so much more than a pretty face. Apart from her interest in fashion, she also harbors a sporty side to her. In an interview with StarStudio, Ivana excitedly shared that she often enjoys swimming and horseback riding.
8. She grew up quite the rebel
Much like any other wild child at the peak of her youth, Ivana’s admitted to owning fake I.D.’s when she was younger in order to get into clubs. The again, she’s since mellowed down and now prefers staying home and watching Netflix to partying and drinking outside. “17-years-old lang ako [noon], wag niyo gagayahin, pasaway talaga ako dati,” she said.
9. She owns a mansion in Bahrain
The 23-year-old inherited her childhood home from her late Moroccan father. She had it renovated before releasing a jaw dropping house tour on YouTube six months ago.
Watch the full video below.
10. She has a generous heart
Last March, Ivana extended a helping a hand to those affected by the COVID-19 lockdown by donating relief goods, with the assistance of her mother and younger sister. “I am encouraging everybody to help. Maliit man yan o malaki, ang importante ay tumulong tayo,” wrote the actress on her Instagram post.
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