Lourna Jane Pujeda Reyes-Evangelista (born December 25, 1987), known professionally as LJ Reyes, is a Filipino actress. She is best known as one of the Final Four in the second season of the widely acclaimed GMA reality TV show, StarStruck. She won Best Actress at the 39th Gawad Urian Awards. She was an exclusive artist of GMA Network until she left when her contract expired in 2018.
Life and career LJ Reyes was born in Fairview, Quezon City. She spent her high school days at St. Stephen's High School.
In 2004, Reyes auditioned for the second season of StarStruck where she ended up as First Princess. Her first show was Now and Forever: Mukha, where she worked with StarStruck runners-up and winners Ryza Cenon, CJ Muere and Mike Tan. Aside from acting, she is also a good dancer, performing with Cenon, Mark Herras, Marky Cielo among others. She is involved mostly in supporting roles on GMA Network shows.
Reyes had her biggest break as a lead villainess in Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan then, playing one of the leading ladies to JC de Vera in Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita. Reyes had another break by joining the cast of Una Kang Naging Akin, another Filipino soap opera. Reyes was given many praises by critics for her outstanding role in Una Kang Naging Akin which made her rise to fame. She posed for the local FHM magazine in December 2009 where she was also the cover girl.
In 2010, she formed a trio called SH3, with Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza, and they performed on the Sunday variety show SOP Rules until the group disbanded because of plagiarism issues. In the same year, she won as Best Supporting Actress in Cinemalaya for her role in the indie movie The Leaving.
Reyes was baptized as a Born again Christian in August 2015.
Personal life
She dated fellow GMA artist Paulo Avelino, who was a contestant in the fourth season of StarStruck. On July 24, 2010, she gave birth to their son. She dated Paolo Contis from 2016 to 2021. On January 4, 2019, she gave birth to their daughter, Summer Ayana. On September 1, 2021, she confirmed that she and Contis were no longer together. On May 30, 2023, Reyes announced her engagement to her boyfriend, Philip Evangelista. The couple married on October 8, 2023, in Eatons Neck, New York.
Filmography Film Year Title Role 2005 Lovestruck Sophia 2006 Puso 3 Erika Manay Po! Gina 2007 Pi7ong Tagpo Tanya 2010 The Leaving Grace 2012 Intoy Syokoy ng Kalye Marino Doray Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles Hilda 2013 She's the One Alice 2015 Anino sa Likod ng Buwan Emma Haunted Mansion Veronica Lobregat
Television Year Title Role 2005 Now and Forever: Mukha Melody 2006 I Luv NY Ponyang 2006–2007 Makita Ka Lang Muli Vianne 2007 Magic Kamison Misty Lupin Elaine Fantastic Man Binhi (Season 2) 2007–2008 Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan Amazonang Lila / Debbie 2008 Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita Joanna Marie "Joey" Salcedo Sine Novela: Una Kang Naging Akin Liway Mallari 2009 Totoy Bato Gilette Molina Zorro Sandy All My Life Maricar 2010 Sine Novela: Ina, Kasusuklaman Ba Kita? Katrina Evangelista 2011 Time of My Life Zaira Marquez 2012 The Good Daughter Francesca "Frances" Alejandro Reyes 2012–2013 Aso ni San Roque Lourdes / Lualhati Salvador 2013 Wagas (Coach Rio Dela Cruz and Nicole Wuthrich Story) Nicole Wuthrich Bayan Ko Atty. Karen Canlas 2013–2014 Prinsesa ng Buhay Ko Kate Napoleon 2014–2015 Yagit Florentina "Flora" Fabro Trinidad-Macabuhay 2015 Magpakailanman: Under1Roof Heidi Karelasyon#PanchoLJRyza Melissa 2015–2016 MariMar Inocencia Corcuera-Arcega 2016 Wagas (Courageous Caitie Story) Feliz Lucas Alamat: Alamat ng Saging Juana (Voice Only) Karelasyon Claire Poor Señorita Angie Batumbakal Dear Uge: Single Teacher meets Single Dad Luisa Dear Uge: My Millenial Mom Rita 2017 Pinulot Ka Lang sa Lupa Angeli "Geli" Martinez-Esquivel Wish Ko Lang: Miss Pulis SPO3 Rowena Jacosalem D' Originals Marjorie "Marge" Pineda-Tolentino 3 Days of Summer Herself Tadhana: Yaya Abogada ChonaRoad TripHerself 2018 Sherlock Jr. Meryl The Cure Katrina Contes
Awards and nominations Year Organization/Critics Category Work Result 2005 StarStruck 2 4 Pre-Recognition Award 2005 StarStruck 2 First Princess 2006 FHM Philippines Rank #65 2007 FHM Philippines Rank #45 2008 FHM Philippines Rank #89 2010 Cinemalaya 2010 Best Supporting Actress The Leaving 2013 ENPRESS Golden Screen Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Drama) Intoy Shokoy ng Kalye Marino 2016 32nd PMPC Star Awards for Movies Movie Actress of the Year Ang Anino sa Likod ng Buwan 2016 39th Gawad Urian Awards Best Actress Ang Anino sa Likod ng Buwan
References
External links
L.J. Reyes at iGMA.tv
gmanews.tv/video, LJ Reyes has someone new to replace Alfred Vargas - 23 January 2008 (in Filipino) LJ Reyes kept her pregnancy a secret from co-workers in The Leaving