13 Candy Cover Girls and Where They Are Now

In case you haven’t heard, Candy’s getting a glow-up! This is our fifth makeover since our first-ever release in 1999, but don’t worry—we’re still the same *bestie* you grew up with. As we turn a year older, we look back on some of our favorite covers throughout the years featuring fresh-faced stars who ended up becoming trailblazers in their respective fields. Although we’re starting fresh with Francine Diaz as our new-generation cover girl, we can’t help but feel nostalgic as we near our 23rd birthday. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and see what our OG Candy girls have been up to since gracing the covers.

FYI, here are 13 Candy Magazine cover girls we've had over the years:

Amanda Griffin

Issue: March 1999

Then: Amanda graced our very first issue as one of the country's most famous models at the time. She was also a lifestyle TV host and VJ.

Now: Currently, Amanda is an International Justice Mission Ambassador and a loving mother of four. 

Heart Evangelista

Issue: August 2000

Then: Heart became a Candy cover girl when she was only 15 years old! Back then, she was only two years into her commercial modeling career. 

Now: Heart is now among the most sought-after models and actresses in the Philippines. She's also the CEO of beauty and wellness brand Pure Living.

Pia Wurtzbach

Issue: May 2001

Then: Our youngest cover girl yet, Pia was only 12 years old when she appeared on our cover. She was a Star Magic child actor who appeared in various TV series such as K2BU, Bora, and Sa Piling Mo. 

Now: As we all know, Pia was crowned the Miss Universe title in 2015 as an advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness. The beauty queen is also one of the hosts for The Queens podcast on Spotify. 

Solenn Heussaff 

Issue: August 2002

Then: Solenn was only starting to discover her love for fashion and modeling when she became a Candy girl at 17 years old. 

Now: Apart from being a painter, Solenn is now a co-founder of two businesses: baby wear shop Tili Dalhi and food and wellness brand Solenn Manila. 

Maja Salvador

Issue: August 2003

Then: Known as Maja Andres in 2003, Maja was a teen model preparing for her television debut on ABS-CBN's It Might Be You.

Now: Maja left Star Magic last year to found Crown Artist Management, her very own talent agency. Since then, she has also starred in award-winning shows such as The Killer Bride and Niña Niño. 

Kim Chiu 

Issue: April 2007

Then: Kim had just been named the winner of Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition when she was first featured on Candy. She was also one of the lead actresses in primetime TV series Sana Maulit Muli.

Now: Now regarded as showbiz's Chinita Princess, Kim has continued to star in other hit dramas, including My Binondo Girl, Ikaw Lamang, and Love Thy Woman.

Megan Young

Issue: July 2008

Then: At 18 years old, Megan was a budding ABS-CBN talent who frequently appeared on TV shows like Kokey and Star Magic Presents. 

Now: Now, we all know Megan as Miss World 2013 and former host for GMA Network's StarStruck.

Julia Barretto 

Issue: October 2013

Then: As part of the Star Magic Circle in 2013, Julia was a rising teen star who was only about to debut in her first-ever teleserye. 

Now: The 24-year-old is now a well-renowned actress and the founder of accessories brand The Juju Club. 

Liza Soberano

Issue: January 2014

Then: Three years after her acting debut in Wansapanataym, Liza was an up-and-coming leading lady when she appeared on our Prom Special cover.  

Now: Liza's acting career has now skyrocketed following her memorable roles in My Ex and Whys, Forevermore, and Dolce Amore. She's also the face of Maybelline Philippines!

Janella Salvador

Issue: March 2014

Then: Janella became a Candy girl around the same time she officially joined Regal Entertainment and Star Cinema as a teen actress. She also used to be one of the youngest models for skincare brand Garnier. 

Now: Since her debut in the hit drama Please Be Careful With My Heart, she has pursued other projects like The Killer Bride, Born For You, and So Connected. She has also worked with Disney Southeast Asia to sing a cover of Moana's theme song How Far I'll Go.

Nadine Lustre

Issue: January 2015

Then: Fresh out of her Diary ng Panget and Talk Back and You're Dead breakout roles, Nadine was reaching the peak of her popularity when she graced our cover.

Now: Nadine has since grown her acting career with iconic showbiz titles, including On the Wings of Love, Ulan, and Indak. She has also released numerous songs that reaped awards in music competitions such as the Philippines Myx Music Awards and the PhilPop Songwriting Competition. 

Kathryn Bernardo

Issue: November 2015

Then: Kathryn emerged as a Candy cover girl during her teen queen days, having just starred in She's Dating the Gangster and Must Be... Love.

Now: Kathryn is now a multi-awarded actress after working on more blockbusters like the Hows Of Us and Barcelona: A Love Untold. 

Gabbi Garcia

Issue: August 2016

Then: Gabbi first graced the glossy a month after she portrayed her signature role in GMA Network's Encantadia remake.

Now: Almost six years later, Gabbi now hosts YouTube channel Front-Seat Foodies and podcast Figure It Out, passion projects she launched with her long-time boyfriend Khalil Ramos. 

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