Carla Dunareanu (Singapore Actress)

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Carla Dunareanu
Carla Dunareanu profile.png
Born23 January 1989
EducationHonours Bachelors Degree in Acting
Alma materLASALLE College of the Arts
Spouse(s)Boom Gonzales (m. 2018)

Carla Dunareanu (born 23 January 1989) is a professional actress based in Singapore. Apart from acting, Carla has a long repertoire of modelling, television hosting, and event hosting since the 2000s.[1] As of 2020, she is represented and managed by FLY Entertainment.[2] She has also established a presence in the Philippine media industry.[3] Coming from a Romanian and Chinese background, Carla is proficient in the English language and speaks basic German, Mandarin and Tagalog.[4] As of March 2020, she has more than 56,000 followers on Instagram, more than 22,000 followers on Twitter and more than 63,000 likes on her Facebook page.

Background

Carla pictured with her mother, Irene Chia-Dunareanu. Photo from Magzter.

Early life & family

Carla Dunareanu was born in Essen, Germany to a Romanian father and Singaporean Chinese mother, Irene Chia-Dunareanu.[5][6] She spent her early childhood in Germany until her father passed away when she was six years old.[7] The Dunareanus then moved to Australia. By the time Carla was eight years old, she had already settled in Singapore.[8][9] Carla also has a sister, Nicolette Dunareanu.[10][11]

Education

Carla furthered her studies at LASALLE College of the Arts in Singapore and graduated with a Bachelor’s (Honours) Degree in Acting.[12][13][14]

Carla and Boom pictured on their wedding day. Photo from Instagram. Credit to Oneclickwonders.

Marriage to Boom Gonzales

Carla met Boom Gonzales when she moved to the Philippines for a work opportunity with Magic 89.9 - a radio station based in Manila. Boom Gonzalez had been her on-air partner.[15] The duo pursued a long-distance relationship when Carla returned to Singapore.[16] Boom proposed to Carla on 25 December 2017[17] and the couple got married on 1 December 2018 after six years of dating.[18][19] Their wedding ceremony was held at Sentosa Island in Singapore.[20]

Acting

Carla started acting at eleven years old.[21][22]

Films

Carla pictured in Gourmet Baby (2001) where she co-starred with veteran actor Lim Kay Tong. Film still from YouTube.

Carla had already scored roles in prominent Singaporean films at a young age. The short film Gourmet Baby (2001) was featured at the New York Film Festival and has since been used as a teaching instrument at LASALLE College of the Arts.[23][24] Autograph Book (2003), which Carla starred in when she was fourteen years old, won the Special Achievement Award at the 2003 Silver Screen Awards Singapore.[25]

Year Movie Title Character/ Role Refs.
2015 Selfie Audrey [26]
2013 The Bride and The Lover Lisa [27][28]
2009 Visible Cities ‘Sensible sister’ [29][30]
2003 Autograph Book Tessa [31][32]
2001 Gourmet Baby 'The niece' [33][34]

Television & Online Series

Carla pictured with her award in 2016. Photo from Asian Television Awards.

In 2016, Carla won an award at the 21st Asian Television Awards for her performance in Rojak. She had edged out veteran actress Vernetta Lopez for the title.[35] The musical TV Series, The Kitchen Musical (2011) was Carla's professional breakthrough in the Philippines. Her resulting popularity from the show led her to pursue hosting and acting opportunities in the Philippines market.[36][37]

Year(s) Channel Title Character/ Role Refs.
2018 - 2020 Channel 5 KIN Ananya [38]
2017 Toggle Originals LifeSpam Wendy [39]
HBO SeNT Zoey Wong [40][41]
2016 Channel 5 Rojak Stephanie [42]
2015 Channel 5 Koji Cooks Vicky [43]
Channel 5 Love Is Love: Sunshine Kim [44]
2011 ntv7 The Kitchen Musical Season 1 Herself [45]
2008 Channel 5 Yang Sisters Season 2 Guest [46]
2006 Channel 5 En Bloc Tina [47]
2005 Channel 5 First Mums Tanya [48]
2004 Channel 5 Incredible Tales Guest [49]
2002 Kids Central Kids United Season 3 Permanent role [50]
Carla as Marty in a Grease musical remake. Photo from Taralets.

Theatre

Year Production Company Title Character/ Role Refs.
2013 Philippine Repertory Theaters Boeing Boeing Opening Act [51]
9 Works Theatrical GREASE Marty [52]
2008 - Fat Kids Are Harder To Kidnap Pioneering Cast [53]

Hosting

Apart from television hosting, Carla has been the host for countless events since her early introduction into showbiz.[54][55]

Television

Year Channel Programme Title Refs.
2017 - present HBO Asia - [56][57]
2017 Channel 5 Special Delivery [58]
2016 OKTO MissAdventures [59]

Partnerships

Habitat for Humanity

Carla has worked with Habitat for Humanity - a charity that conducts overseas volunteer trips and that also offers home-cleaning services for the needy in Singapore.[60] In 2019, she was announced as the organisation's official ambassador for Habitat for Humanity alongside Paul Foster and Anita Kapoor.[61] Carla travelled to Batam, Indonesia and Chiangmai, Thailand to participate in home building projects.


Carla had been inspired to join Habitat for Humanity by her experience with charity work during the filming of Special Delivery in 2017. In 2018, fellow actor Paul Foster invited her to join the programme.[62]

Nike

Carla is also a Nike ambassador.[63] In 2017, she represented the brand at the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon Race.[64]

References / Citations

  1. Curriculum Vitae”. FLY Entertainment. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  2. CARLA DUNAREANU”. FLY Entertainment. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  3. PEP EXCLUSIVE: Magic 89.9 DJ Carla Dunareanu describes boyfriend Christian Bautista as “loving, considerate””. PEP. November 12, 2012. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  4. Tan, Kee Yun. “Rojak is the perfect representation of her heritage”. The New Paper. May 20, 2016. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  5. Tan, Kee Yun. “Rojak is the perfect representation of her heritage”. The New Paper. May 20, 2016. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  6. Molok, Natalya. “Mum’s The Word”. The Reading Room. May, 2017. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  7. Molok, Natalya. “Mum’s The Word”. The Reading Room. May, 2017. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  8. Yong, Esther Au. “Miss-understood”. Shape. March 1, 2016. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  9. How, Clara. “Carla Dunareanu Hated Running Until She Signed Up For A Half Marathon”. Shape. March 4, 2019. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  10. PEP EXCLUSIVE: Magic 89.9 DJ Carla Dunareanu describes boyfriend Christian Bautista as “loving, considerate””. PEP. November 12, 2012. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  11. itsmecarlad. Instagram. September 12, 2017. Accessed on 20 February 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.instagram.com/p/BY7UigSAZ9S/?hl=en
  12. Chai, Hung Yin. “Miracle pregnancy leaves mum with stroke: “It’s all worth it””. The New Paper. May 10, 2015. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  13. Robert, Catherine. “My mother and me: here’s what local celebs say”. The New Paper. May 10, 2015. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  14. Curriculum Vitae”. FLY Entertainment. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  15. Llanes, Gianna. “TV Host Boom Gonzalez marries former radio partner Carla Dunareanu”. Philippine Canadian Inquirer. December 3, 2018. Accessed on 24 February 2020.
  16. How, Clara. “Carla Dunareanu Hated Running Until She Signed Up For A Half Marathon”. Shape. March 4, 2019. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  17. Tan, Tammi. “How local celebs spent Christmas”. 8 Days. December 26, 2017. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  18. LOOK: Boom Gonzalez marries Carla Dunareanu”. ABS-CBN. December 3, 2018. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  19. IN PHOTOS: Boom Gonzalez weds Carla Dunareanu”. Rappler. December 4, 2018. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  20. "IN PHOTOS: Boom Gonzalez and Carla Dunareanu are married!". GMA Entertainment. December 3, 2018. Accessed on 4 March 2020.
  21. CARLA DUNAREANU”. FLY Entertainment. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  22. How, Clara. “Carla Dunareanu Hated Running Until She Signed Up For A Half Marathon”. Shape. March 4, 2019. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  23. “Singapore short goes to NY Film Fest”. The Straits Times. August 30, 2001. Accessed on 24 February 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  24. How, Clara. “Carla Dunareanu Hated Running Until She Signed Up For A Half Marathon”. Shape. March 4, 2019. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  25. "2003: SGIFF 16". Singapore International Film Festival. Accessed on 4 March 2020.
  26. Selfie (2015)”. IMDb. Accessed on 24 February 2020.
  27. Cruz, Marinel R. “Christian’s Bautista’s Romanian girlfriend joins PH showbiz”. Philippine Daily Inquirer. May 6, 2013. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  28. PEP EXCLUSIVE: Magic 89.9 DJ Carla Dunareanu describes boyfriend Christian Bautista as “loving, considerate””. PEP. November 12, 2012. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  29. Mad world”. The Inkpot. Accessed on 24 February 2020.
  30. Curriculum Vitae”. FLY Entertainment. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  31. 09) Film Review - Autograph book”. The Chirpy Times. Accessed on 24 February 2020.
  32. "Autograph Book". Asian Film Archives. Accessed on 4 March 2020.
  33. Carla Dunareanu”. IMDb. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  34. Curriculum Vitae”. FLY Entertainment. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  35. "21st asian Television Awards". Asian Television Awards. Accessed on 4 March 2020.
  36. Tantuco, Vernise L. “Catching up with Carla D”. Rappler. September 10, 2017. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  37. PEP EXCLUSIVE: Magic 89.9 DJ Carla Dunareanu describes boyfriend Christian Bautista as “loving, considerate””. PEP. November 12, 2012. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  38. Seah, May. “Family drama Kin jumps forward five years - what’s in store for its characters?”. Channel News Asia. September 30, 2019. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  39. Toh, Zi Yi. “Carla Dunareanu: Social media’s Little Miss Sunshine”. 8 Days. December 27, 2019. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  40. Tantuco, Vernise L. “Catching up with Carla D”. Rappler. September 10, 2017. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  41. Chua, Dennis. “The other side of the coin”. New Straits Times. September 18, 2017. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  42. Tan, Kee Yun. “Rojak is the perfect representation of her heritage”. The New Paper. May 20, 2016. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  43. Carla Dunareanu. Facebook. January 5, 2015. Accessed on 24 February 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/171302039623911/posts/im-so-excited-to-be-a-part-of-koji-cooks-be-sure-to-catch-the-premier-on-the-7th/761917593895683/
  44. Carla Dunareanu”. IMDb. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  45. IN PHOTOS: Boom Gonzalez weds Carla Dunareanu”. Rappler. December 4, 2018. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  46. Yang Sisters S2 Episodes - Live TV - Toggle”. meWATCH. Accessed on 24 February 2020.
  47. Channel 5. “En Bloc - EP2”. meWATCH. June 17, 2016. Accessed on 24 February 2020.
  48. CARLA DUNAREANU”. FLY Entertainment. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  49. CARLA DUNAREANU”. FLY Entertainment. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  50. CARLA DUNAREANU”. FLY Entertainment. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  51. CARLA DUNAREANU”. FLY Entertainment. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  52. King, Samantha. “Greased and loving it”. The Philippine Star. November 15, 2013. Accessed on 24 February 2020.
  53. Carla Dunareanu. Facebook. November 10, 2018. Accessed on 24 February 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/itsmecarladunareanu/posts/i-was-a-part-of-the-pioneer-cast-of-fat-kids-are-harder-to-kidnap-a-crazy-pet-pr/1917692494984848/
  54. Curriculum Vitae”. FLY Entertainment. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  55. FLY Artistes. “FLY SHOWREELS: Carla Dunareanu TV Presenting 2017”. YouTube. October 2, 2017. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  56. Molok, Natalya. “Mum’s The Word”. The Reading Room. May, 2017. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  57. Carla Dunareanu. Facebook. March 1, 2017. Accessed on 25 February 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/itsmecarladunareanu/posts/whos-that-new-girl-on-hbo-central-i-havent-been-able-to-catch-the-segment-yet-ca/1260619407358830/
  58. Ambassador Spotlight: Carla Dunareanu”. Habitat for Humanity Singapore. January 31, 2019. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  59. Yong, Esther Au. “Miss-understood”. Shape. March 1, 2016. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  60. How, Clara. “Carla Dunareanu Hated Running Until She Signed Up For A Half Marathon”. Shape. March 4, 2019. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  61. Ambassador Spotlight: Carla Dunareanu”. Habitat for Humanity Singapore. January 31, 2019. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  62. Ambassador Spotlight: Carla Dunareanu”. Habitat for Humanity Singapore. January 31, 2019. Accessed on 20 February 2020.
  63. Carla Dunareanu On Showbiz, Tom Cruise and… men With Baby Soft Skin?”. Seriously Man. October 19, 2018. Accessed on 25 February 2020.
  64. Dunareanu, Carla. “My First Ever Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon in the Bag!”. RunSociety. December 14, 2017. Accessed on 20 February 2020.