Kayla Meagan Iovan (born August 13, 1991), known by her stage name Kayla Rivera (formerly K-LA Rivera and Kaye) is a Canadian Filipina-Romanian singer and actress appearing both in theater and television in the Philippines, best recognized for being a grand finalist of Star Power's "Sharon's Search for the Next Female Pop Superstar" and playing the title role in Atlantis Theatrical's: Beautiful – The Carole King Musical. Rivera is furthermore a recording artist, songwriter, model, host, video jockey, and voice teacher. Rivera is currently the Headhunter of POPinoy, a television show airing on TV5. She also performs on "Eat Bulaga", (a noontime variety show) and is under the management of All Access to Artists, Inc.[2]

Kayla Rivera
Rivera in 2021
Rivera in 2021
Background information
Birth nameKayla Meagan Iovan
Born (1991-08-13) August 13, 1991 (age 33)[1]
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer, actress
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano
Years active2010–present
LabelsUnderdog Music, Star Music,Western Star Promotions Ltd

Early life

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At age 13, The Young Canadians (TYC) School of Performing Arts chose Rivera to be among their members where she trained both vocally and dancing (jazz and ballet) year-round, in preparation for nightly performances at the Grandstand show, at the Calgary Stampede.[3]

When Rivera was 16, she auditioned for Canadian Idol in Calgary, and making it through initial auditions, she flew to Toronto and made it to the Top 65. That same year she was a co-winner of the David Foster Star Search (September 2007) and performed at the Jack Singer Concert Hall with David Foster. Later that month, Rivera was sent to Halifax, NS, to perform at the kickoff for the David Foster Star Search held in March. She also worked with David Foster at various events around Canada, including an appearance on Canada AM to promote the 2010 Olympics held in Vancouver, British Columbia.[4]

Career

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In 2010 Rivera, appearing as K-La Rivera, became a part of Star Power from ABS-CBN.[5]

On July 27, 2011, Rivera emerged as one of the finalists of the MYX VJ SEARCH and was one of three winners announced at SM North Edsa – The Block. She then began her career as VJ from 2011 to 2012.[6]

In September 2011, Rivera made her professional stage debut in the local adaptation of the acclaimed Broadway musical In the Heights under Atlantis Production. She played the role of "Nina Rosario" alongside seasoned performers, namely Nyoy Volante, Jackie Lou Blanco, and Ima Castro. Rivera received her first nomination as "Best Actress in a Musical" at the Aliw Awards.[7]

Rivera was chosen to sing the theme song “I’m Feeling Sexy Tonight”, of the movie “Adventures of Pureza” which was released on July 4, 2011. Months later on March 16, 2012, Rivera released her first self-titled Album (K-LA) under Star Music Records. Included in her 5-track album are Inseparable, Love Has Come My Way, Say That You Love Me, Someone’s Always Saying Goodbye, and You’re All That I Need.[8]

In November 2012, following her success in the musical play "In the Heights," Rivera was selected by Atlantis Productions to play Princess Jasmine in the Manila staging of Disney's Aladdin.[9]

In October 2013, Rivera created a buzz in the theater community after learning and taking on the lead role of Carrie White in less than a week. When lead star Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante fell ill after the Friday opening night of Atlantis Productions' staging of "Carrie,". Rivera went on earning her second nomination as "Best Actress in Musical Theater” at the Broadway World Philippines.[10]

In November 2013, Rivera portrayed the role of Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family, a Broadway Musical staged by Atlantis Productions.[11]

In February 2014, Rivera moved from ABS-CBN to GMA, specifically being co-managed by Maristel Fernandez and GMA Artist Center (GMAAC). With this move came a new screen name, Kaye. Rivera then started performing on the noontime show Sunday All-Stars. Rivera also appeared semi-regularly on the TV series Carmella and other various GMA shows.[12]

In Aug 2014, Rivera made her big-screen debut in the film "S6Parados" under a Cinemalaya production directed by GB Sampedro. S6parados was based on true stories of the partly tragic saga of six men who separated from their wives. She played the girlfriend of one of the main cast members.

In October 2014, Rivera starred in Rock of Ages, a jukebox musical that tells the story of the two young dreamers, Drew and Sherrie. Portraying the role of "Sherrie Christian" who dreamt of a career in Hollywood but worked as a stripper while in the pursuit of her dreams, this enabled Rivera to stretch out of the more conservative roles she had previously played, and into a more sexy role[13]

In August 2018, Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group cast Rivera to play the lead role of "Violet Hilton" together with Gab Pangilinan (Daisy Hilton) in "Side Show" (true story of the famous conjoined twins). Rivera was nominated again as "Best Actress in Musical" at Broadway World Philippines.[14]

On April 25, 2019, Rivera concluded her four-year degree course Bachelor of Arts in Communications, minor in Economics at the University of Calgary (Canada).[15]

In June 2019, included in the special line-up of shows in celebration of Atlantis Theatrical Group’s 20th Anniversary, was “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” where Rivera starred as the title role.[16][2]

In February 2020, Rivera joined Sam Concepcion (as Joseph) in the much-awaited return of Trumpet's most beloved production, “Joseph the Dreamer”. She played a dual role as the Narrator and Asenath (Joseph's wife).[17]

Notable stage credits

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Year Title Role Location Notes
2011 In the Heights Nina Rosario Manila Nominated for Best Actress (Aliw Awards)
2012 Alladin Jasmine Manila
2013 Carrie White Carrie Manila Nominated for Best Actress (Broadway World Philippines)
2013 The Addams Family Wednesday Addams Manila
2014 Rock of Ages Sherrie Manila
2018 Side Show Violet Hilton Manila Nominated for Best Actress (Broadway World Philippines)
2019 Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Carole King Manila
2020-2022 Joseph The Dreamer Asenath/ Narrator Manila Best Lead Actress in a Musical- Aliw Awards (Won)

Filmography and television appearances

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Year Show Role Network
2009 Wowowee Herself ABS-CBN
2010 Star Power Herself ABS-CBN
2011 ASAP Herself ABS-CBN
2011 Happy Yipee Yehey Herself ABS-CBN
2011 MYX Video Jockey ABS-CBN
2012 ASAP Herself ABS-CBN
2012 ABS-CBN News Channel Guest ABS-CBN
2013 ASAP Herself ABS-CBN
2013 Maalaala Mo Kaya Guest ABS-CBN
2014 Sunday All Stars Herself GMA
2014 Carmella Celine GMA
2014 Maynila Shaira GMA
2014 S6PERADOS Bestfriend Cinemalaya
2014 Mars Guest GMA
2019 It's Showtime Herself ABS CBN
2019 Eat Bulaga! Herself GMA Network
2021 POPINOY Headhunter TV5 (formerly ABC 5)

References

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  1. ^ "News bits by: alisica Star Power 20". Pinoytimes.ca. November 19, 2010. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  2. ^ a b Charm, Neil (11 June 2019). "A celebration of Carole King's music | BusinessWorld". BusinessWorld.
  3. ^ "K-La is Pampanga's bet for Star Power". Sun Star Pampanga. 20 January 2011. Archived from the original on 25 August 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  4. ^ "'Beautiful' legacy to inspire new generation » Manila Bulletin Entertainment". Archived from the original on 2019-12-30. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
  5. ^ "Star Power 5 face-off". philstar.com.
  6. ^ Siazon, Rachelle. "Singer K-La Rivera is one of the winners of the 2011 MYX VJ Search | PUSH.COM.PH: Your ultimate showbiz hub!". push.abs-cbn.com.
  7. ^ News, ABS-CBN (September 1, 2011). "K-La makes debut in 'Heights'". ABS-CBN News. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  8. ^ "K-La Rivera releases her debut album under Star Records". June 14, 2012.
  9. ^ "| ABS-CBN News". news.abs-cbn.com.
  10. ^ By: Walter Ang, How to learn a lead role in six days–take it from K-La Rivera, Published on October 26, 2013
  11. ^ "Atlantis Productions stages 'Carrie' and 'The Addams Family'". philstar.com.
  12. ^ By Ruben Marasigan, K-La Rivera moves to GMA with a new screen name, Published on Feb 26, 2014
  13. ^ ABS-CBNnews.com, Vladimir Bunoan (November 4, 2014). "Review: Bigger 'Rock of Ages' still charms". ABS-CBN News.
  14. ^ Salonga, Lea (September 6, 2018). "'Side Show'". INQUIRER.net.
  15. ^ "Done with school, Kayla Rivera restarts 'Beautiful' career". The Manila Times. 11 June 2019.
  16. ^ https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/06/06/19/watch-kayla-rivera-as-carole-king-in-musical-beautiful Karen Flores Layno, WATCH: Kayla Rivera as Carole King in musical ‘Beautiful’, Jun 06, 2019
  17. ^ https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/11/18/19/kayla-rivera-joins-sam-concepcion-in-joseph-the-dreamer-musical ABS CBN News, Kayla Rivera joins Sam Concepcion in ‘Joseph the Dreamer’ musical, Nov 18, 2019