Career
Rivera began her career as a ramp and commercial model, which landed her with an appearance on TV advertisements for Skin White Lotion and Sky Flakes crackers. Production company TAPE Inc. then signed her to cast in a series of afternoon soap operas for GMA Network: Kung Mamahalin Mo Lang Ako, Agawin Mo Man Ang Lahat (where she was named as the “Best New Female Personality” at the 2006 PMPC Star Awards ) and Pinakamamahal. Oyo Boy Sotto was her leading man in these soaps. GMA Network then cast her into mother roles for the afternoon Philippine-Malaysian drama Muli and the primetime telefantasya Super Twins.
Rivera rose to fame when she won an audition for the title role of MariMar, the remake of the Mexican telenovela which starred Thalía. MariMar premiered on August 13, 2007 with a 36.6% rating.
She also branched out in the music industry with the release of a dance album Marian Rivera Dance Hits, wherein she did not record the songs but instead presented a dance choreography for each track.
In 2008, Rivera was honored as 2007′s Favorite Television Actress in the First Annual Filipino-American Visionary Awards. She also received an award for Most Popular Actress in a Drama/Miniseries in the 4th USTV Students’ Choice Awards.
