Heart Evangelista & Jodi Sta. Maria Are Cousins
HEART EVANGELISTA – Kapuso Queen of Creative Collaborations Heart Evangelista disclosed she’s related to actress Jodi Sta. Maria.
Netizens were taken aback by the revelation of the familial tie between Heart Evangelista and Jodi Sta. Maria. During an Instagram livestream, Heart shared that Jodi is her second cousin from her maternal side.
Confirming this relationship, Heart admitted she wasn’t aware of it until several years into her showbiz career. “Jodi Sta. Maria is my cousin from my mother’s side,” she confirmed.
Heart Evangelista told her Instagram Live viewers, “And I didn’t even know she was my cousin until like a few years of show business.”
“But she’s my cousin. Second cousin. From my mom’s side.”
Despite this late realization, Heart spoke warmly of Jodi Sta. Maria, praising her kindness and acting prowess within the local entertainment industry.
“I love Jodi Sta. Maria! She’s super nice. Those are one of the genuine, genuine ones in show business.”
“Jodi is a great actress,” she added.
Heart expressed her admiration for Jodi’s beauty, likening it to that of Hollywood star Natalie Portman, especially highlighting her captivating eyes. She emphasized Jodi’s exceptional beauty and described her as having “super expressive eyes.”
I was today years old when I learned that 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐄𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐀 and 𝐉𝐎𝐃𝐈 𝐒𝐓𝐀.𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐀 are actually cousins. Such a revelation! 🤯 @heart021485 @JodiStaMaria pic.twitter.com/Q8d7VUAqV3
— Nelson Adrian (@nelsonnadrian) April 3, 2024
In terms of background, Heart’s parents are Ma. Cecilia Payawal Ongpauco and Reynaldo Evangelista Ongpauco, while Jodi and her brother Carlo were raised by their single mother, Mercedita Sta. Maria, who kept their family life private.
Currently, Heart is concentrating more on her career in the global fashion scene, collaborating with various high-end brands as a fashion influencer. Her latest television appearance was in the 2021 series “I Left My Heart In Sorsogon,” where she starred alongside Paolo Contis and Richard Yap.
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