Alden Richards

Richard Reyes Faulkerson Jr., known professionally as Alden Richards, is a Filipino actor, model, host, and entrepreneur. Born on January 2, 1992, in Santa Rosa, Laguna, he has become one of the most bankable stars in Philippine entertainment, with a career spanning television, film, music, and business.

Richards first caught attention in the 2011 fantasy series Alakdana, but his breakout came with the 2012 romantic drama One True Love. He later became a household name through the Kalyeserye segment on Eat Bulaga!, where his on-screen pairing with Maine Mendoza turned into a cultural phenomenon. His filmography includes blockbusters like Hello, Love, Goodbye (2019) and its sequel Hello, Love, Again (2024), both among the highest-grossing Filipino films ever. In 2025, he made his directorial debut with the legal thriller Out of Order.

Beyond acting, Richards released the diamond-certified EP Wish I May and hosts the GMA documentary Rebuilding Broken Rooms. He is also a pilot student, a board member of Mowelfund Inc., and founder of the AR Foundation Inc., which provides scholarships. Recognized as "Asia's Multimedia Star," he continues to expand his reach, with recent projects like the Viu series Love, Siargao. [edit]

Growing up in Santa Rosa, Laguna, Alden Richards was the second of three children. His parents separated when he was young, and he was raised by his mother, Rosario, who worked as an overseas Filipino worker to support the family. He attended elementary and high school in his hometown, where he was an average student but showed an early interest in performing arts.

As a teenager, Richards joined local singing contests and school plays. After high school, he moved to Manila to pursue an entertainment career. He took acting workshops and auditioned for various projects, facing several rejections before landing his first television role. In 2011, he was cast in the fantasy series Alakdana, which marked his official entry into showbiz. Before that, he worked odd jobs, including as a call center agent, to make ends meet while chasing his dream.

His big break came when he was paired with Maine Mendoza in the Kalyeserye segment of Eat Bulaga! in 2015, but the groundwork was laid years earlier through his persistence and dedication to honing his craft. [edit]

Alden Richards's career trajectory turned sharply upward in 2012 with the romantic drama One True Love, which earned him his first major acting recognition. But it was the Kalyeserye segment on Eat Bulaga! in 2015 that transformed him into a superstar. The improvised soap opera, featuring his love team with Maine Mendoza, became a daily appointment for millions of Filipinos, spawning movies like My Bebe Love: KiligPaMore (2015) and Imagine You and Me (2016).

Richards proved his range with the historical action film Ang Panday 2 (2011) and the hit drama The World Between Us (2021–2022). His biggest cinematic triumph came with Hello, Love, Goodbye (2019), which grossed over ₱880 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing Filipino film at the time. The sequel, Hello, Love, Again (2024), surpassed that record, cementing his box-office dominance.

In 2025, he stepped behind the camera for Out of Order, a legal thriller he directed and co-produced. His music career also flourished with the diamond-certified EP Wish I May. As of 2026, he is starring in the Viu Original series Love, Siargao and hosting the GMA documentary Rebuilding Broken Rooms, championing education advocacy. [edit]

Alden Richards is often described as the "boy next door" of Philippine showbiz, known for his polite demeanor and approachable charm. His style is classic and understated, favoring tailored suits and neutral tones, a contrast to the flashy outfits of many celebrities. On social media, he maintains a polished but genuine presence, sharing behind-the-scenes moments and motivational messages.

Fans, known as "Aldenatics," are fiercely loyal, organizing fan projects and charity drives in his name. His pairing with Maine Mendoza, dubbed "AlDub," created a fan base that transcended typical love-team followings, with fans analyzing every episode of Kalyeserye. Media often highlight his professionalism and humility, with co-stars like Nadine Lustre praising his generosity on set.

Richards's public image is also shaped by his advocacy work, particularly in education, which aligns with his clean-cut persona. He is seen as a role model for young Filipinos, balancing commercial success with a sense of social responsibility. [edit]

Alden Richards currently holds no placement in the iFANN Global Top 1,000 rankings or any scope-specific top lists. The iFANN Global Fame Engine evaluated his profile in August 2026 and found he does not yet secure a ranked position among the world's most famous figures. Despite this unranked status, Richards commands a massive, organized following known as the Manalo Nation. Fans identify themselves as Manalos, a term derived from his nickname meaning "winner" in Tagalog. This group operates as one of the most powerful voting blocks in Philippine entertainment, capable of driving chart performance and box office success through coordinated digital campaigns. They execute elaborate birthday celebrations on January 2nd that light up skyscrapers and fill subway ads across major cities like Manila and Cebu. Beyond commercial influence, the fandom organizes charity drives for disaster relief and education, mirroring Richards' own advocacy work. While Richards maintains an active social media presence with millions of followers, recent public statements suggest a personal shift toward reflection and moving forward, hinting at a new chapter in his public narrative.[edit]

Alden Richards is a licensed drone pilot actively training for his private license and an avid motorcycle enthusiast who shares his rides online. He holds a black belt in taekwondo and is a certified scuba diver trained during a vacation in Siargao. His arm bears a tattoo reading "faith," reflecting his religious upbringing, and he collects vintage Seiko watches while overcoming a fear of heights through flight training. Richards loves cooking sinigang on weekends. Cultural legends surround his career, including the story of crowds shutting down streets during the premiere of Be My Lady due to his overwhelming popularity. The term "Manalo" has transcended his name to become slang for decisive victory in Filipino internet culture. In August 2026, he gained critical acclaim for his documentary Rebuilding Broken Rooms, which investigated the country's education crisis. That same year, he competed in the IRONMAN 70.3 Davao triathlon relay, reinforcing his reputation as a disciplined athlete.[edit]

Alden Richards was born to Rosario Faulkerson, a former overseas Filipino worker, and Richard Reyes Faulkerson Sr., who separated when he was young. He has two siblings: an older brother and a younger sister. His mother was a constant source of support, and he often credits her sacrifices for his success.

Richards lives in a condominium in Quezon City, which he shares with his two dogs, a Shih Tzu named Chichi and a Pomeranian named Mochi. He is close to his extended family, frequently visiting his grandmother in Laguna. Despite his fame, he remains grounded, often cooking family meals during holidays.

He is not married and has no children, but he has expressed a desire to start a family someday, citing his mother as his role model for parenting. [edit]

Alden Richards's most publicized relationship was with Maine Mendoza, his on-screen partner in Kalyeserye. Their pairing began in 2015 and quickly became a national phenomenon, with fans speculating about a real romance. The two were often seen together at events and on social media, but they never confirmed a romantic relationship. Reports suggest they dated quietly, but by 2019, the pair had drifted apart, with both focusing on their separate careers.

Before Maine, Richards was linked to singer Julie Anne San Jose. In a 2020 interview, San Jose hinted at a past heartbreak during her early career, and fans speculated that Richards was the subject, though neither confirmed. Richards has also been rumored to have dated non-celebrities, but he has kept his private life largely out of the spotlight.

As of 2026, Richards is reportedly single, with no public romantic partner. He has stated in interviews that he is focused on his career and personal growth, and that he is waiting for the right person to come along. [edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Alden Richards's net worth in 2026 stands at $10 Million. This figure reflects his diverse income streams built over a decade of consistent box-office appeal. Major earnings come from blockbuster films like Hello, Love, Goodbye and its sequel, alongside his long-running role hosting Eat Bulaga!. His music sales from the diamond-certified EP Wish I May further bolster his financial portfolio. Richards has expanded into business ventures including real estate investments and a restaurant franchise. Endorsement deals with major Philippine brands contribute substantially to his wealth. In 2025, he was recognized by the Bureau of Internal Revenue as one of the country's top taxpayers. As of 2026, his trajectory remains upward with upcoming projects like Love, Siargao and his directorial work ensuring continued growth.[edit]

Alden Richards has won numerous awards throughout his career, including multiple PMPC Star Awards for Movies and Television, Box Office Entertainment Awards, and FAMAS Awards. His role in Hello, Love, Goodbye earned him the Box Office Entertainment Award for Box Office King, and he has been recognized as a top taxpayer by the BIR. He has also received accolades for his hosting and music. [edit]