Alexander Xian Lim-Uy (; born July 12, 1989) is a Filipino actor and television host. He has been an exclusive actor of GMA Network and GMA Pictures since 2021. Lim was a contract artist of Star Magic from 2008 to 2017, then he signed a contract with Viva Artists Agency in January 2018. He is best known for his roles on the television series My Binondo Girl (2011), Ina, Kapatid, Anak (2012–13), and The Story of Us (2016), and the films The Reunion (2012), Bakit Hindi Ka Crush ng Crush Mo? (2013), Bride for Rent (2014), and Everything About Her (2016). Since 2012, Lim has hosted several major televised events, particularly Binibining Pilipinas (Miss Philippines) annually and Miss Grand International in Vietnam in 2017.
Early life Born in San Francisco, California, Lim and his family moved back to Manila, Philippines six months after his birth. Following his parents' separation, he (age 10) and his mother relocated to Daly City, California. Raised by his mother, a former model turned piano teacher, resulted in Lim learning various musical instruments including piano, trombone, saxophone and guitar. He later joined a symphonic band before graduating high school at age 18. He briefly studied psychology at Skyline College in San Bruno, California, until moving to the Philippines to attend college as a basketball varsity scholar at the University of the East in Manila. However, he never played in the UAAP as he had to undergo two years of residency.
Before attaining a degree, he became involved with modeling, and eventually, acting.
Acting career Lim was cast in a few minor roles before landing a supporting role in Katorse in 2009.
In 2010, he was part of the cast in the drama Rubi as Luis Navarro. Then, he guest starred in 100 Days to Heaven as Jojo Villanueva. He was a guest judge on Showtime and had one-episode appearances for Midnight DJ, Maalaala Mo Kaya, Wansapanataym and Your Song Presents: Andi. In 2011, after a special participation in Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin portraying the young Joaquin del Tierro, he landed his first major lead role in My Binondo Girl top-billed by Kim Chiu. The romantic-comedy television drama was a nationwide success, garnering an average household TV rating of 28.2% provided by Kantar Media/TNS.
In early 2012, Lim signed a three-picture contract with Star Cinema and appeared in the film, My Cactus Heart. In the same year, he starred in a youth-oriented movie with Enchong Dee, Enrique Gil and Kean Cipriano, entitled The Reunion. He was also back in primetime through the teleserye drama Ina, Kapatid, Anak with Kim Chiu, Maja Salvador and Enchong Dee. He also released his debut studio album So It's You under Star Records which reached a Gold Record status.
In 2013, his film Bakit Hindi Ka Crush Ng Crush Mo? with his onscreen and offscreen partner Kim Chiu earned Php 10.5 million in the first day of film showing alone, consequentially surpassing the P100 million mark at the box office for the year 2013 in three weeks time. From the outstanding box office sales, the pair obtained the nickname as the newest blockbuster royalties of their generation.
In 2014, his second movie with Kim Chiu entitled Bride for Rent earned a whopping Php 21.2M on its first day and Php 100M in just 4 days. The movie eventually grossed Php 326,958,423 during its whole run in theaters which validated the KimXi tandem's box office draw.
From 2015 to 2017, he has starred in a succession of roles, starting with his voice over for the Filipino release of Paddington, as well as leading and supporting film credits in All You Need Is Pag-ibig (2015), Everything About Her (2016) and Sin Island (2018).
After Lim signed a contract with Viva Artists Agency months after his contract with Star Magic expired in mid-2017. He signed an exclusive contract with GMA Network in 2021.
Other work
Directing Lim's directorial debut was Tabon, which premiered at the Cinemalaya 2019. In 2022, Xian Lim directed an episode of Wish Ko Lang. In 2023, he released his first commercial film Hello, Universe!.
Activism Lim has participated in various charity games including annual birthday events at local missions foundations, performing at benefit concerts, an event in Iloilo under Star Magic and San Juan City for the victims of Typhoon Sendong. In August 2012, he and Kim Chiu spearheaded a relief operation in Marikina for the city's flood-affected victims.
During 2013, Lim joined the PETA Free Mali campaign along with Kim Chiu. Lim made a video plea for Mali asking that she be moved to a sanctuary for the sake of her well-being.
Basketball Lim played for the amateur basketball club Mandaluyong El Tigre in the 2018–2019 MPBL season.
Personal life Lim actively promotes living a healthy lifestyle and his interests include filmmaking, traveling and sports. He is a self-professed health-buff, enjoys activities like running and exercises, with further intentions to someday joining a triathlon.
In 2011, Xian began courting fellow Star Magic artist and leading lady Kim Chiu. Lim and Chiu began dating in 2012, which was confirmed in a 2013 episode of Kris TV. On November 15, 2018, Kim Chiu confirmed her relationship with Lim in an interview on Tonight with Boy Abunda. On December 23, 2023, both Chiu and Lim confirmed their break up. In an Esquire Magazine cover interview, Lim confirmed that he is in a relationship with Iris Lee.
In 2025, Lim earned his private pilot licence and epaulette from Topflite Academy in Pasay.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes2010 Mamarazzi Oscar Supporting role Two Funerals GerryLead role2012 My Cactus Heart Bene The Reunion Joaquin "Joax" Perez 2013 Bakit Hindi Ka Crush Ng Crush Mo? Francisco Alejandro "Alex" Prieto2014 Bride for Rent Roderico "Rocco" Espiritu Jr. Past Tense Bobby "Babs" Razon2015 Paddington Paddington Bear (voice) Lim replaced Ben Whishaw as the voice actor for the Philippine release Must Date the Playboy Zachary "Zach" Andres Lead role (mobile series) All You Need Is Pag-Ibig DinoLead role 2016 Everything About Her Albert Mitra 2017 Dear Other Self Henry2018 Sin Island David Santiago Corpus Delicti Mark Mondejar Paddington 2 Paddington Bear (voice) Lim replaced Ben Whishaw as the voice actor for the Philippine release Miss Granny Lorenz Main Role 2019 Hanggang Kailan? DonnieLead role2020 Untrue Joaquim Love the Way U Lie Nathan 2022 Yorme: The Isko Domagoso Story Adult Francisco "Scott/Isko/Yorme" Moreno Domagoso Main RoleBahay na PulaAlwaysLino 2023Hello UniverseDirector2024PlaytimeLucasKuman ThongDirector
Television Year Title Role Notes 2008 My Girl Photographer Cameo appearance 2008–2009 Your Song Presents: My Only Hope Enrico "Rick" Alejandro Supporting role 2009–2010 Katorse Albert Arcangel Lead role2010 Midnight DJ Luis "JS Prom Nightmare" episodeMaynila Marc "Makinig Ka, Puso" episode Lance "Hunky and Virile" episode 2010–2021 ASAP Himself Co-host / performer2010 Rubi Luis Navarro / Luis N. Ferrer Extended role Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla: Elias Paniki Gabriel Supporting role Midnight DJ Jake "Bulong ng Demonyo" episodeMaalaala Mo Kaya Mark "Marriage Contract" episode Wansapanataym Aris "Bandanang Itim" episode Your Song Presents: Andi Ralph "Tell Me" episode2011 Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin Young Joaquin Del Tierro Special participation Yamaha Yey Himself Co-host 100 Days to Heaven Jojo Villanueva Guest role 2011–2012 My Binondo Girl Andrew "Andy" Wu Lead role 2012–2013 Ina, Kapatid, Anak William "Liam" Lagdameo2012–2014 I-Shine Talent Camp TV Seasons 1, 2 and 3 Himself Host2014 Maalaala Mo Kaya Maynard "Gitara" episode Johnny Medrano "Saklay" episode 2015 Ryan Ryan Musikahan: Piyano at Gitara Himself Guest performer2016 The Story of Us Ferdinand "Macoy" Sandoval Lead role Maalaala Mo Kaya Raymond "DJ" episode Doowee Hooper Beat Band Competition Season 3 Himself Host Maalaala Mo Kaya Gabby "Medical Result" episode2017 A Love to Last Sebastian "Totoy" Cruz Special participation Maalaala Mo Kaya Randy "Kwek-kwek" episode 2019 Bill Felisan "Youth Citizen" episode 2020 Love Thy Woman David Chao Main role2021 1000 Heartbeats: Pintig Pinoy Himself Host2022False PositiveEdward Dela GuardiaLead role2022; 2023 All-Out Sundays Himself Guest Performer 2023 Hearts on Ice Lawrence "Enzo" Razon Main role 2024 Love. Die. Repeat. Bernardo "Bernard" Yuzon
Digital Year Title Role Notes 2021 Parang Kayo Pero Hindi Joaquin Escribo Lead role
Discography Studio albums Album Year Label Status So It's You 2012Star Music Platinum XL2 2014 Key of X 2017
Singles TV series Song Year Label My Binondo Girl theme song"Ako'y Sayo Lamang" 2011 Star Music Aryana theme song"Iibigin Kita" 2012 Ina, Kapatid, Anak soundtrack"Kung Di Sa 'Iyo" (Liam and Celyn theme song)"Alay Ko Sayo" (Liam and Celyn theme song)
Concerts Title Date A Date with Xian July 9, 2016 Songs in the Key of X July 15, 2017 Stronger Together: GMA Pinoy TV @ Expo Dubai 2020 Concert March 30, 2022
Awards, nominations and recognitions Awards and Nomination Year Award giving body Category Nominated work Result 2011 27th PMPC Star Awards for Movies New Movie Actor of the Year Two Funerals 2012 Yahoo! OMG! Philippines Awards Breakthrough Actor of the Year My Binondo Girl Love team of the Year (shared with Kim Chiu) 43rd GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards Most Promising Actor of the Year ASAP Pop Viewers' Choice Awards Pop Pin-up Boy ASAP 7th 24K Gold Awards 24K Male Gold Awardee So Its You 26th PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Talent Search Program Host (shared with Dimples Romana and Matteo Guidicelli) Promil Pre-School I-Shine Talent Camp 2013 61st FAMAS Awards German Moreno Youth Achievement Award 8th Myx Music Awards Favorite Myx Celebrity VJ Yahoo! OMG! Philippines Award Love Team of the Year (shared with Kim Chiu) Ina Kapatid Anak Yes! Magazine 100 Most Beautiful Stars (Primetime Category) 5th PMPC Star Awards for Music New Male Recording Artist of the Year So It's You 27th PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Talent Search Program Host (shared with Dimples Romana and Matteo Guidicelli) Promil Pre-School I-Shine Talent Camp ASAP Pop Viewers' Choice Awards Pop Love Team (shared with Kim Chiu) Bakit Hindi Ka Crush Ng Crush Mo? 2014 62nd FAMAS Awards Best Actor 1st PEP List Awards Fab Star (Male) Celebrity Pair of the Year (shared with Kim Chiu) Bride for Rent Yes! Magazine 100 Most Beautiful Stars (Blockbuster King category) 6th PMPC Star Awards for Music Male Pop Artist of the Year XL2 4th EdukCircle Awards Most Influential Film Actor Bride for Rent 28th PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Talent Search Program Host (shared with Dimples Romana and Matteo Guidicelli) Promil Pre-School I-Shine Talent Camp 27th Aliw Awards Best Emcee (Male) 10th ASAP Pop Viewers' Choice Awards Pop Male Artist XL2 Pop Album Pop Song Pag May Time Pop Coverboy Pop Selfie Pop Instagrammer Pop Instavideo Pop Screen Kiss (shared with Kim Chiu) Bride for Rent Pop Loveteam (shared with Kim Chiu) Pop Movie (shared with Kim Chiu) 2015 10th Myx Music Awards Favorite Myx Celebrity VJ 46th GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards 2015 Prince of Philippine Movies & TV Bride for Rent 2nd PEP List Awards Fab Star of the Year (Male) Celebrity Pair of the Year (shared with Kim Chiu) 2016 6th EdukCircle Awards Best Drama Actor The Story of Us 30th PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Drama Actor German Moreno Power Tandem (with Kim Chiu) N/A 2017 1st GEMS (Guild of Educators, Mentors and Students) Awards Best Supporting Actor Everything About Her 15th Gawad Tanglaw 1st EDDYS Entertainment Editors Awards 33rd Star Awards for Movies Movie Supporting Actor of the Year 31st PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Single Performance by an Actor Maalaala Mo Kaya: "Kwek-Kwek" Episode Aliw Awards 2017 Best Major Concert (Male) Songs in the Key of X 2018 34th Star Awards for Movies Movie Supporting Actor of the Year Dear Other Self Male Star of the Night 2020 2nd VP Choice Awards TV Actor of the Year Love Thy Woman
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