Yasmien Kurdi
 

Yasmien Yuson Kurdi (born 25 January 1989 in San Juan, Metro Manila), is a Filipina-Chinese-Lebanese award-winning Filipina singer, songwriter and actress. She was one of the Final Four in the first season of StarStruck, a reality-based talent search show by GMA Network in the Philippines where she finished first runner up. She bagged the title of the Philippines' Pop Sweetheart and known for the roles of Mira in the hit fantasy series Encantadia, Salve Dizon de Leon in the remake of Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita, Shayne Rodrigo in the hit remake Saan Darating Ang Umaga? a role originated by Maricel Soriano.

Early life

Yasmien Kurdi grew up in Kuwait, and was there with her family during the Gulf War. Kurdi is a devout member of the Iglesia ni Cristo and was a member of the junior choir in her church before her StarStruck rise to fame. She studied elementary in Jabriya Indian School, Angelicum College during high school and currently taking up Nursing at New Era University. Her early career included modeling for Candy, Seventeen, and MOD magazine. She was also one of the finalists in ABS-CBN's ASAP Pond's Soft Skin Search wherein she lost over the Jaboom Twins. In 2009, Kurdi starred in an ad promoting vegetarianism for PETA ASIA-PACIFIC.

In May 2007 after her success in Bakekang series as "Charming", Yasmien starred in Pati Ba Pintig ng Puso with JC de Vera. Yasmien plays as Jenna, a maid who has an eye on her employer's grandson. On its press conference, GMA Network crown her as its GMA Drama Princess.On September 10, 2007 Yasmien will star again with JC de Vera in Pasan Ko Ang Daigdig, which originally stars Sharon Cuneta in 1987. After their huge success as loveteam in Pati Ba Pintig ng Puso, GMA trusted them both to star in Sine Novela.

The network gave them an adaptation of another Sharon Cuneta movie entitled Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita.The series crushed its rival My Girl. On the last quarter of 2008, she led the remake of Saan Darating Ang Umaga? which garnered primetime ratings though it is on afternoon. The Sine Novela is a top rater and the all time highest Sine Novela in National TV Ratings, never beaten by Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin? which held the Mega Manila only.

She then appeared on Dear Friend: Madrasta which topped the week-end daytime ratings. After the said stint, she starred on SRO Cinemaserye for the suspense drama Suspetsa.

In 2010, Yasmien was picked up on the GMA Network fairy tale television series Grazilda as the villainous for the first time, co-starred by Glaiza de Castro and Ms. Cherie Gil.

Kurdi a strict vegetarian and is also part of People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia-Pacific���s television commercial to promote vegetarianism. On November 9, 2007 Kurdi posed inside a cage while holding a sign that said: "Liberate your diet. Go vegetarian."