The Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Celebrity Collab Edition, which premiered on March 9, 2025, on GMA Network, has proven once again to be a formidable platform for catapulting celebrities into the spotlight.
As the first season to feature a mix of Kapamilya (Star Magic) and Kapuso (Sparkle GMA Artist Center) stars, the show has not only broken new ground in Philippine television but also reshaped the social media landscapes of its housemates. From March 11, the first week inside the iconic PBB house, to April 27, 2025, the housemates’ Instagram follower counts have seen dramatic shifts, reflecting their exposure, public perception, and the reality show’s unparalleled ability to create—or challenge—stars.
Follower Growth: A Mirror of Public Fascination
The Instagram follower data from March 11 to April 27 reveals a clear hierarchy of growth, with some housemates experiencing explosive spikes while others saw modest gains or even losses. The numbers tell a story of how the public’s perception, shaped by the housemates’ personalities, conflicts, and narratives on the show, translates into social media clout.
Below is a table reflecting the Instagram follower growth of the PBB Celebrity Collab Edition housemates from March 11, 2025, to April 27, 2025, based on the provided data. The table includes the housemates’ names, their follower counts on March 11, their follower counts on April 27, the change in followers, and notes on eviction status where applicable.
|
Housemate
|
Followers (March 11)
|
Followers (April 27)
|
Change in Followers
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
River Joseph
|
63,664
|
292,187
|
+228,523
|
|
|
Esnyr
|
1,261,475
|
1,453,509
|
+192,035
|
|
|
Charlie Fleming
|
73,310
|
255,129
|
+181,819
|
|
|
Emilio Daez
|
112,774
|
288,104
|
+175,330
|
Entered March 30
|
|
Bianca De Vera
|
151,694
|
316,799
|
+165,105
|
Entered March 18
|
|
Brent Manalo
|
938,814
|
1,079,257
|
+140,442
|
|
|
Dustin Yu
|
159,181
|
296,612
|
+137,431
|
|
|
Ashley Ortega
|
610,766
|
724,814
|
+114,048
|
Evicted March 30
|
|
Will Ashley
|
551,889
|
648,464
|
+96,645
|
|
|
Michael Sager
|
185,218
|
276,606
|
+91,388
|
Evicted
|
|
Ralph de Leon
|
30,442
|
113,043
|
+82,601
|
|
|
Kira Balinger
|
1,508,255
|
1,577,282
|
+69,027
|
|
|
Klarisse de Guzman
|
139,935
|
188,637
|
+48,702
|
|
|
AZ Martinez
|
71,574
|
103,287
|
+31,713
|
|
|
Josh Ford
|
20,099
|
47,628
|
+27,529
|
|
|
Mika Salamanca
|
3,264,708
|
3,283,008
|
+18,309
|
|
|
Vince Maristela
|
79,113
|
87,515
|
+8,402
|
Entered March 30
|
|
AC Bonifacio
|
4,517,529
|
4,475,689
|
-41,840
|
Evicted March 30
|
Notes:
-
Eviction Status: Housemates marked as “Evicted” were no longer in the house by April 27, 2025. Ashley Ortega and AC Bonifacio were evicted on March 30, and Michael Sager was also evicted, as noted in the data context.
-
Late Entrants: Emilio Daez and Vince Maristela entered on March 30, and Bianca De Vera entered on March 18, which may have influenced their growth compared to housemates present from the start.
-
Follower Changes: Positive values indicate follower growth, while negative values (e.g., AC Bonifacio) indicate a los.
Topping the list is River Joseph, whose followers skyrocketed from 63,664 to 292,187, a staggering increase of 228,523. The young Kapamilya actor, dubbed the “Sporty Business Bro ng Muntinlupa City,” captured viewers with his golden retriever energy and relatable charm. His authentic interactions and leadership in tasks, as highlighted in episodes aired on GMA Network, resonated with fans, making him a breakout star. Posts on X echoed this sentiment, with fans praising his “chill vibe” and genuine camaraderie, particularly with housemate Esnyr.
Close behind is Esnyr Ranollo, who added 192,035 followers, growing from 1,261,475 to 1,453,509. Already a social media heavyweight, Esnyr’s vibrant personality and history with co-housemates like Brent Manalo and Bianca De Vera amplified his appeal. His comedic flair and viral moments, such as his banter during challenges, kept him trending online.
Charlie Fleming, a Sparkle artist known as the “Bubbly Bread Teener ng Cagayan de Oro,” saw her followers jump from 73,310 to 255,129 (+181,819). Her youthful energy and underdog story endeared her to viewers, with her emotional moments in the house—shared during tasks like the personal story challenge—sparking widespread support. Her growth underscores how PBB can elevate lesser-known talents into household names.
Evicted Housemates: Spikes Despite Exits
Notably, evicted housemates like Ashley Ortega and AC Bonifacio, who left the house on March 30, demonstrate the show’s lasting impact. Ashley, the “Independent Tis-Ice Princess San Juan,” gained 114,048 followers (610,766 to 724,814). Her soft-spoken demeanor and early “loveteam arc” with a fellow housemate, as noted on Reddit, kept her relevant post-eviction. Fans on X described her as a “sweetie,” and her graceful exit likely fueled her follower spike.
In contrast, AC Bonifacio, a Star Magic star with a massive pre-show following, saw a rare decline, dropping from 4,517,529 to 4,475,689 (-41,840). As the “Dedicated Showstopper ng Canada,” AC’s early eviction shocked fans, and her limited screen time may have dampened her momentum. Online discussions speculated that her pairing with Ashley Ortega in the “AcLie” duo didn’t fully showcase her star power, potentially contributing to the loss. This anomaly highlights how PBB’s intense scrutiny can challenge even established celebrities.
Late Entrants and Steady Climbers
Housemates who entered later, like Emilio Daez (March 30) and Bianca De Vera (March 18), still saw significant gains. Emilio, a rookie actor with a “golden retriever personality,” grew from 112,774 to 288,104 (+175,330), fueled by his charisma and viral TikTok-worthy moments. Bianca, known for her animated persona, added 165,105 followers (151,694 to 316,799). Her history with Esnyr and AC Bonifacio, as noted by fans, created buzz, and her outspoken nature in the house kept her in the spotlight.
Brent Manalo, a Star Magic heartthrob, gained 140,442 followers (938,814 to 1,079,257). His chill demeanor and fashion-focused content, already popular on TikTok with 1.6 million followers pre-show, resonated with viewers. His shared history with Kira Balinger in Beach Bros added intrigue, boosting his appeal. Dustin Yu, a Sparkle rookie, added 137,431 followers (159,181 to 296,612), with his entrepreneurial side—running his restaurant Eraya—earning admiration.
Modest Gains and Public Perception
Housemates with smaller gains, like Mika Salamanca (+18,309, 3,264,708 to 3,283,008), faced mixed public reactions. Despite her large pre-show following, Mika’s controversial past, including issues tied to her vape business, as discussed by netizens, may have limited her growth. Her “problematic fave” status, as some entertainment sites put it, kept her polarizing. Similarly, Vince Maristela, a late entrant on March 30, saw a modest increase of 8,402 (79,113 to 87,515), likely due to limited time to make an impact.
Klarisse de Guzman, the only millennial housemate, gained 48,702 followers (139,935 to 188,637). Her public coming-out as bisexual on April 2, a historic moment for PBB, earned widespread support. This emotional authenticity likely drove her growth, despite her smaller starting base. Kira Balinger (+69,027, 1,508,255 to 1,577,282) and Michael Sager (+91,388, 185,218 to 276,606) also saw steady increases, with Michael’s post-eviction spike noted on X, where his Instagram jumped from 187,000 to 263,000.
The PBB Effect: Creating Real Stars
The follower growth reflects PBB’s unique ability to amplify or reshape a celebrity’s public image. The show’s format—pairing Kapuso and Kapamilya stars in duos, as announced on March 14—created compelling narratives that hooked viewers. Tasks like the “Group Yourself” challenge and personal story-sharing allowed housemates to reveal their authentic selves, driving fan engagement. The historic collaboration between ABS-CBN and GMA, coupled with the show’s 8.6% pilot episode rating (AGB Nielsen), ensured massive exposure.
For lesser-known stars like River Joseph and Charlie Fleming, PBB was a launchpad, turning them into social media sensations. For established names like AC Bonifacio, the show’s high stakes could pose risks, as seen in her follower dip. Evicted housemates like Ashley Ortega proved that even a short stint could yield lasting gains, while polarizing figures like Mika Salamanca showed that controversy could cap potential.
As PBB Celebrity Collab Edition continues, the Instagram follower counts serve as a real-time scorecard of fame. The show’s power lies in its ability to humanize celebrities, forge connections with viewers, and create stars who resonate beyond the confines of the house.
Whether through viral moments, emotional revelations, or strategic alliances, these housemates are proving that in the PBB house, every day is an audition for stardom.
