Not to be confused with Wacky Kiray.
Kiray
Birth dateJuly 29, 1995 (age 31)
Birth placePhilippines
Birth nameJohanna Ismael Celis
Years active1999–present
SpouseStephan Estopia (m. December 13, 2025)
Agent
OccupationActress · businesswoman

Johanna Ismael "Kiray" Celis-Estopia (kiˈɾaɪ ˈsɛlis; born July 29, 1995)[1][2] is a Filipino actress and businesswoman.[3][4]

Career

Acting

Celis was first discovered when she joined a contest called Muntíng Miss U of Magandang Tanghali Bayan at the age of 3. Soon after the contest, she joined the noontime show as the youngest cast member. Her first movie appearance was in the movie Pera o Bayong (not da TV) starring the entire MTB cast.[5]

In 2005, Celis was chosen as one of the cast members in the children's gag show Goin' Bulilit that aired every Sunday. She was on the show until she graduated in 2007.[6]

Celis starred in a supporting role as Desiree on the TV series Mara Clara starring Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Montes. She then again starred as Britney in the youth-oriented show Growing Up, again with Bernardo and Montes, being paired with Winston. Her most recent appearance was when she played the role of Whitney Munoz in the comedy youth-oriented show, the Sunday afternoon series Luv U.[7][8]

After 19 years of staying in ABS-CBN, Celis transferred to GMA Network[9] as she signed a contract with GMA Artist Center (now Sparkle) on December 20, 2018.[10][11][12] She joined the cast of the Jennylyn Mercado and Gabby Concepcion-topbilled rom-com series Love You Two.[13][14]

Business

In 2018, Celis opened a restaurant called Chicks and Fins.[15]

Personal life

In 2025, Celis married Stephan Estopia,[16] whom she had been in a relationship with since 2021.[17] In April 2026, Celis announced that they were expecting their first child.[3]

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleType of role
1999Magandang Tanghali BayanHerselfContestant; recurring mainstay
2004Wansapanataym: Esep-Bata
2005Goin' BulilitHerselfMain cast; various roles
Kampanerang KubaYoung Magdalena DuranoGuest
Mga Anghel na Walang LangitPinkyGuest appearance
2006Komiks Presents: Si Piolo at si LoreleiMayaMain role
Komiks Presents: BampySpecial appearance
Maalaala Mo Kaya: SalaminKirayEpisode role
2007Kemis: Ke Misis UmaasaKiray
Love Spell Presents: Cindy-rellaLisaSupporting role
2009Maalaala Mo Kaya: ReloLorimel
2010Kokey @ AkoYoung Bambam
Maalaala Mo Kaya: GitaraChoir Member
2010–2011Mara ClaraDesiree FranciscoMain role
2011–2018ASAPHerselfCo-host and performer
2011Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Mana PoYoung Brandi de la PazMain role
100 Days to HeavenYoung GirlieLead role
Wansapanataym Presents: Flores de MayumiMayumi
Wansapanataym Presents: Buhawi JackMayumi
2011–2012Growing UpBritney GunayLead role
2012Regal Shocker Presents: TeatroElla
Toda MaxJeng Jeng
Maalaala Mo Kaya: UpuanPintak
2012–2016Luv UWhitney MuñozLead role
2013Wansapanataym Presents: Petrang PamintaMarikitCo-lead role
Maalaala Mo Kaya: TsubiboBrendaMain role
2014Maalaala Mo Kaya: NotebookResheeLead role
2015Maalaala Mo Kaya: Class CardJoy
Ipaglaban Mo!: Pinekeng AnyoMinnie's best friend
2015–2016#ParangNormal ActivityLaniSupporting cast (season 1)
Main cast (season 2)
2015–2017FPJ's Ang ProbinsyanoMitch
2017Wansapanataym Presents: Annika PINTAseraFroggieVoice role
2018Sana Dalawa ang PusoAnya
2019Maynila: Lend Me Your LoveMayumiLead role
Eat Bulaga!HerselfSegment: BOOM!
Wish Ko Lang: Kuya, 'Wag PoJoan
Dear UgeCora/KiraEpisode: "Ganda Ka?"
Love You TwoDarling InnocencioSupporting cast
Pepito ManalotoGwenEpisode: "Pepito DragoNia"
2021Owe My LoveEverlyn "Evs" Morales-GuipitSupporting Cast
Stories from the HeartMeanne RiveraEpisode: "Love on Air"
2022Return to ParadiseRaichuSupporting cast
2024My Guardian AlienMarites

Film

YearTitleRole
2000Pera o Bayong (Not da TV!)Kiray
2006Kapag Tumibok Ang Puso: Not Once, But TwicePrecious
2007Apat Dapat, Dapat Apat: Friends 4 Lyf and DeathLily Katakutan
2008SupahpapaliciousYoung Nymfa/Inday
2009'Mean Girl
2011The Howl & The FussyketAlexi Lumibao
First KissJek-jek
2012The Mommy ReturnsAmethyst "Amy" P. Martirez
Born to Love YouSampaguita Liwanag
Kimmy Dora and the Temple of KiyemeYoung Charito Go Dong-hae
I Do Bidoo Bidoo: Heto nAPO Sila!Jazzy Polotan
Si Agimat, si Enteng Kabisote at si AkoKiray
2013Bangungot
Girl, Boy, Bakla, TomboySnow White
2014Echoserang Frog
Da PossessedKiki
Somebody to LoveChloe
Shake, Rattle & Roll XVLovely
2015Crazy Beautiful YouKim
Stars Versus Me
2016Love is BlindFe
I Love You to DeathGwendalyn
The Super Parental GuardiansLiza de Lima
2018My Fairy Tail Love StoryMissy
Bakwit BoysTanya
Wander BraAmazona
Class of 2018Venus
2019Kiko and LalaMiracle
2020D'NinangLorena

Awards

YearAward-giving bodyCategoryWorkResult
2008GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment AwardsMost Popular Female Child Performer[18]align="center"

References

  1. ^ Ilaya, Felix. "Kiray Celis celebrates birthday surrounded by 'SpongeBob Squarepants' and 'Lilo & Stitch' cakes". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved 2021-10-22.
  2. ^ "Kiray Celis Biography, Latest Update - PeoPlaid Profile, Photos". PeoPlaid. 2021-08-19. Archived October 22, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-10-22.
  3. ^ De Guzman, Alyana (April 24, 2026). "Kiray Celis is pregnant with first child". ABS-CBN. Archived April 24, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  4. ^ Cuartero, Nestor (May 31, 2011). "'Mara Clara' movie now filming". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  5. ^ Fuente, Stacy dela (2020-05-29). "Biba! Video of 3-yr-old Kiray joining MTB's Little Miss U to pay rent goes viral". Kami.com.ph - Philippines news.. Archived October 22, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-10-22.
  6. ^ Adriano, Pamela. "Kapamilya Toplist: Kiray Celis's funniest, most memorable appearances on Goin' Bulilit". ABS-CBN Entertainment. Archived October 22, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-10-22.
  7. ^ Salut, E. J. "The Beautiful and Sexy Kiray Celis". Push. Archived October 22, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-10-22.
  8. ^ "Kiray Celis hopes to return to LUV U but she's not complaining: "Hindi pa naman ako sikat para mag-inarte..."". PEP.ph. Retrieved 2021-10-22.
  9. ^ "Kiray Celis, kumpirmado na ang paglipat sa GMA-7". PEP.ph. October 25, 2018. Archived December 20, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  10. ^ Sun, Cherry. "Kiray Celis on transferring to GMA: "I deserve this"". GMA News. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  11. ^ Sun, Cherry. "Kiray Celis reveals why she left the Kapamilya network". GMA News. Archived December 20, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  12. ^ "Kiray Celis now a Kapuso". Inquirer Entertainment. December 20, 2018. Archived December 21, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  13. ^ "Kiray Celis, kasama sa Jennylyn-Gabby teleserye ng GMA". GMA News. December 17, 2018. Archived December 19, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  14. ^ Anarcon, James Patrick. "Kiray Celis transfers to GMA-7 after 19 years with ABS-CBN". PEP.ph. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  15. ^ Bruel, Therese Justine (July 24, 2018). "Kiray's New Restaurant Has Wings You'll Want To Come Back For". When In Manila. Archived December 31, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
  16. ^ "Kiray Celis, Stephan Estopia tie the knot". GMA News. December 13, 2025. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  17. ^ "Kiray Celis now engaged to boyfriend Stephan Estopia". GMA News. April 21, 2025. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  18. ^ "The 38th Box-Office Entertainment Awards (Part 2)" Archived October 19, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Pep.ph. Retrieved May 24, 2014.