Xian Lim

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 partner Iris Lee (b. 1991). Lee is a Chinese Filipino Senior Associate Producer at Viva Communications since October 2018, who was part of Hello, Universe! directed by Lim. Her siblings include Peidi, Liane Shaira and Celine Arian.

In 2025, Lim earned his private pilot licence and epaulette from Topflite Academy in Pasay.

Filmography

Film

Television

Digital

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

Concerts

Awards, nominations and recognitions

Notes

References

References

1. "The Birth of Alexander Lim". Californiabirthindex.org.
2. (25 May 2022). "Xian Lim officially signs a contract with GMA-7 as his new network; VIVA remains his manager".
3. . (November 17, 2009). ["Xian Lim channels Boys Over Flowers for Cosmo.ph"](http://www.pep.ph/lifestyle/20512/xian-lim-channels-boys-over-flowers-for-cosmoph). *Philippine Entertainment Portal*.
4. (April 22, 2002). "Xian Lim speaks on stardom and Kim Chiu". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
5. (June 14, 2009). "Katorse's Xian Lim recalls childhood bonding with his dad". Philippine Entertainment Portal.
6. (2022-06-10). "Before entering showbiz, Xian Lim planned to pursue basketball dream in the Philippines".
7. Salut, EJ. (November 15, 2014). "Xian Lim: The Handsome Guy Next Door".
8. (May 23, 2009). "Xian Lim makes his bid for leading man status in Katorse". Philippine Entertainment Portal.
9. (August 20, 2010). "The devil's whisper in Midnight DJ".
10. Bardinas, Mary Ann. (February 8, 2020). "Xian Lim's notable rise as a seasoned actor as seen in Kapamilya teleserye stints".
11. . ["Episodes cast for 'Minsan lang kita iibigin'"](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1820130/epcast). *[[IMDb]]*.
12. (July 1, 2012). "Xian Lim signs a three-picture contract, including one with Kim Chiu".
13. (November 1, 2012). "Enchong Dee, Xian Lim, Enrique Gil, and Kean Cipriano gear up for Star Cinema's 'The Reunion'".
14. (September 17, 2012). "Xian Lim's "So It's You" is now certified gold!".
15. (January 1, 2015). "WATCH: Paddington Movie Trailer with our very own Xian Lim as the Voice of Paddington, opens on February 11".
16. (2015-12-30). "'All You Need is Pagibig' review: Love Overdose".
17. Cruz, Oggs. (2016-01-29). "'Everything About Her' Review: Heartfelt where it counts".
18. Glorioso, Bot. (February 15, 2018). "Xian drops wholesome image in Sin Island".
19. (25 May 2022). "GMA-7 officially joins GMA Network as added roller costers of talent this 2022".
20. (25 May 2022). "Xian Lim now officially a Kapuso".
21. "Xian Lim will direct his first movie for Cinemalaya 2019". Rappler.
22. (25 May 2022). "GMA-7 actor Xian Lim to make TV directing debut on GMA Network".
23. Pagulong, Charmie. (August 11, 2022). "Janno Gibbs Anjo Yllana adapt to modern brand of comedy".
24. . (March 1, 2012). ["Star Magic basketball team plays for a cause in Iloilo"](http://www.philstar.com/entertainment/782237/star-magic-basketball-team-plays-cause-iloilo). *The Philippine Star*.
25. (August 12, 2012). "Kim Chiu and Xian Lim join forces in packing and distributing relief goods".
26. . (May 28, 2013). ["Celebrities call for Mali's transfer"](https://sg.news.yahoo.com/photos/celebrities-call-for-mali-s-transfer-slideshow/xian-lim-photo--372711882.html).
27. Terrado, Reuben. (July 5, 2018). "Dream come true as Xian Lim makes MPBL debut".
28. "Xian Lim promotes healthy lifestyle | Sun.Star". SunStar.
29. "Xian Lim on having it all, health and Superman".
30. (September 26, 2012). "Kim tells Xian: 'Konting effort pa'". ABS-CBN News.
31. . (July 31, 2013). ["Kim Chiu and Xian Lim Admit They Are Exclusively Dating"](http://www.femalenetwork.com/celebrities/kim-chiu-and-xian-lim-admit-they-are-exclusively-dating).
32. (August 29, 2013). "Kim Chiu promises to be open about her next relationship". Philippine Entertainment Portal.
33. ABS-CBN News. (November 15, 2018). "WATCH: Kim Chiu finally confirms relationship with Xian Lim". ABS-CBN News.
34. (December 23, 2023). "'End of a love story': Kim Chiu confirms breakup with Xian Lim". ABS-CBN News.
35. (December 23, 2023). "'No goodbyes, I'll see you around,' Xian Lim tells Kim Chiu in emotional letter". ABS-CBN News.
36. (May 3, 2024). "Meet Iris Lee, the new woman in Xian Lim's life". [[GMA Integrated News]].
37. (January 30, 2025). "Xian Lim now a private pilot".
38. "Gil Portes' bizarrely funny 'Two Funerals' shows fact is stranger than fiction". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
39. "Playtime {{!}} Cinemalaya".
40. Gonzales, Joseph Peter R.. (2024-04-01). "Xian Lim directs horror film 'Kuman Thong' in Thailand".
41. . (October 6, 2010). ["Xian Lim and Jessy Mendiola's characters get 'married' in MMK"](http://www.pep.ph/guide/tv/6950/xian-lim-and-jessy-mendiola39s-characters-get-married-in-mmk). *Philippine Entertainment Portal*.
42. Ramos, Jansen. "First teaser of Glaiza De Castro and Xian Lim-starrer 'False Positive' intrigues fans".
43. (25 May 2022). "GMA-7 actor Xian Lim joins GMA Pinoy TV concert at Expo Dubai".