(From left) Heart Evangelista and Jodi Sta. Maria. Images: Instagram/@iamhearte, @jodistamaria
Heart Evangelista disclosed an interesting tidbit about Jodi Sta. Maria, as she turned out to be her second cousin from her mother’s side of the family. This led the fashion maven to clarify that she, too, wasn’t aware of this fact until staying for a “few years” in showbiz.
Evangelista revealed this in response to a fan on her Instagram Live on Wednesday, April 3, which was reuploaded by one @nelsonnadrian on X (formerly Twitter). She, however, didn’t disclose more details about their familial relationship.
“By the way, Jodi Sta Maria is my cousin from my mother’s side. I love Jodi Sta Maria. She’s super nice and those are one of the genuine ones in show business,” she said.
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 what seemed to explain more of Sta. Maria’s personality to her international followers, Evangelista likened the “Unbreak My Heart” star to Natalie Portman who’s “super beautiful” with “super expressive eyes.”
“I didn’t even know she was my cousin till a few years of show business. She’s my cousin, second cousin,” she said. “Jodi is a great actress. She’s from the Philippines and she’s like Natalie Portman exactly. Super beautiful, and [she has] super expressive eyes. I love her.”
The Kapuso star was born to a businessman named Reynaldo Evangelista Ongpauco and Ma. Cecilia Payawal Ongpauco. She cemented herself as one of the biggest stars in the early 2000s before shifting gears to a career as a fashion influencer.
Meanwhile, Sta. Maria and her brother were raised by her single mother Mercedita although she remained private in matters concerning her family. She is set to star in the upcoming film “Edjop” with Cedrick Juan and Elijah Canlas.