Liza Soberano
Hope Elizabeth Hanley Soberano (/ˈlaɪzə/ LY-zə; born January 4, 1998) is an American and Filipino actress. Born in Santa Clara, California, she relocated to the Philippines with her father and relatives to pursue an acting career. She started her career with supporting roles in dramas and comedies before playing lead roles in television series and blockbusters. She had her breakthrough in the series in Forevermore (2014), marking the first of her successful collaborations with Enrique Gil. She has received a FAMAS Award, a PMPC Star Award and four Box Office Entertainment Awards, and was named by Tatler twice as one of the most influential Filipino personalities in Asia.[1]
In this article, the surname is Soberano, not Hanley.
Liza Soberano
- United States
- Philippines
- Actress
- model
2011–present
Named as the "Box Office Queen" at the 49th Box Office Entertainment Awards, Soberano has starred in a string of blockbuster films such as Just The Way You Are (2015), Everyday I Love You (2015), My Ex and Whys (2017) and Alone/Together (2019). Named as one of the "TV Queens at the Turn of the Millennium" at the 33rd PMPC Star Awards for Television, she is also notable for her lead performances in several television series such as Forevermore (2014), Dolce Amore (2016), Bagani (2018), Make It With You (2020) and Trese (2021). She made her Hollywood debut in a supporting role in the horror comedy Lisa Frankenstein (2024).
Early life
Hope Elizabeth Hanley Soberano was born on January 4, 1998 in Santa Clara, California, the only child of a Filipino father, John Castillo Soberano, and an American mother, Jacqulyn Elizabeth Hanley.[2][3][4] She was raised in Visalia, California, by her paternal grandparents when her parents separated.[5][6] At age ten, she moved to Manila, Philippines with her father and relatives.[7]
Career
2011–2014: Beginnings
She was offered modeling work for print ads at the age of 12 after moving to Manila. When she was 13, she was discovered by a talent scout and introduced to Ogie Diaz, her new talent manager. Her talent manager urged her to learn Filipino so she could land successful television and film projects because she couldn't speak the language at the time.[3][2][8]
Soberano made her acting debut in the anthology series Wansapanataym (2011), under the stage name Hope Soberano.[3] She then had a minor role as Claire Raymundo in Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo (2012). In 2013, she adopted the stage name Liza Soberano at the suggestion of Malou Santos of Star Creatives.[9] She next appeared in the film Must Be... Love.[3] In 2013 she also starred as Gillian in She's the One with Bea Alonzo, Dingdong Dantes and Enrique Gil. A year later in 2014, she joined the primetime television series Got to Believe as Padilla's other love interest.[10]
2014–2015: Breakthrough with Forevermore
In the successful romantic comedy television series Forevermore (2014), Soberano made her debut as the strawberry farmer Maria Agnes Calay with Enrique Gil, who played Alexander "Xander" Grande III, a hotel business heir who gradually becomes Agnes' love interest. The series finale earned a 39.3 percent rating.[11][12] The success of the TV series made Soberano and Gil gain popularity.[13][14][15]
Following the success of Forevermore, Soberano starred in the film based on the Wattpad book The Bet. The film adaptation, initially titled as the same name as its source material was renamed Just The Way You Are (2015).[16][17][18][19]
In October 2015, Soberano and Gil then starred in a romantic drama film with Gerald Anderson, Everyday, I Love You, directed by Mae Czarina Cruz-Alviar.[20][21][22]
2016–present: Continued success, loveteam separation and expansion to Hollywood
In February 2016, Soberano starred in the romantic comedy melodrama series Dolce Amore. She portrays Serena Marchesa, a young girl raised in Italy by her adoptive parents. Though she lives a good life, she cannot shake off the feeling that an important part of her identity seems to be missing. In August 2016, it was announced that Soberano had signed as the new face of Maybelline.[23]
In 2017, Soberano starred in the romantic comedy drama film My Ex and Whys opposite Enrique Gil. The film was directed by Cathy Garcia Molina, who had previously worked with her in Forevermore.[24] The film was released in February 2017, grossing ₱31.5 million on its first day and won her the Box-Office Entertainment Award for Box Office Entertainment Award for Box Office Queen.[25]
In May 2017, Soberano confirmed that she would star as the comics superheroine Darna in a planned film adaptation.[26] However, she withdrew her role in 2019 due to an injury she suffered while taping for Bagani.[27] Bagani ran from March 5 to August 17, 2018.[28]
The following cancellation of Make It with You due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines and its network's franchise renewal issues marked the end of the loveteam pairing with Gil. ABS-CBN Films head Kriz Gazmen stated that although they pitched several projects to the duo and was about to "shoot something" (that was later scrapped following COVID case surges in the country at that time), "the timing was never right," and "Liza made the decision to change [her] career direction.”[29][30]
In 2022, Soberano signed with Careless Music, an American-Filipino based talent agency and record label founded by her contemporary James Reid in partnership with Far East Movement's Transparent Arts label. With this new career trajectory, she relocated back to the United States and has plans to forge a career in Hollywood, starting with Lisa Frankenstein for Focus Features.[31]
Reception and public image
In August 2015, she was included in The Philippine Star Lifestyle "29 Most Bright & Beautiful" list.[32] Campaign Asia Magazine named Soberano as 2017 most popular endorser of the year.[33]
In December 2017, Liza Soberano was ranked first of "The 100 Most Beautiful Faces of 2017" by TC Candler's The Independent Critics, a group which has been publishing the list since 1990.[34][35]
In 2018, YouGov an international Internet-based market research and data analytics firm in United Kingdom, listed Soberano as the No.1 most admired woman in the Philippines.[36]
Soberano is often described in the media as "one of Philippine television's most beautiful faces",[37] she stated "I appreciate it but sometimes that's all they notice and i don't want them to remember me because I'm pretty." As for her, she wants to be recognized for her confidence and courage to take new roles in her career.[38]
Soberano has been praised by Filipino critics for her acting prowess. Soberano's performance in the film Everyday, I Love You received positive reviews from critics; Peter P. Asilo of the Philippine Daily Inquirer said: "Soberano's acting choices may need more texture and refinement—but, at only 17, lovely Liza is quickly coming into her own as a fine actress!"[39] Columnist Mario Bautista said: "We'll have no reservations in declaring her the prettiest, most refreshing, most captivating young actress. Beautiful from any angle, she also acts competently, doing both her madcap as well as her dramatic scenes quite convincingly. The camera just loves her and she doesn't make any false move, whether she's clowning around or getting to be so emotional ... She has an endearing screen presence and palpable charisma."[40] while Abby Mendoza of Pep.ph, regarding her performance, said: "it is Liza Soberano who particularly stands out—which isn't to harp on her beautiful face on screen. She is a natural who displays the right restraint, pleasing to watch all the more since she doesn't try too hard."[41]
Personal life
In 2019, Soberano and Enrique Gil publicly confirmed they had been in a relationship since 2014.[51] Soberano and Gil were known together as the love team LizQuen.[52]
Soberano is a Roman Catholic. She and her brother, Justin David, received the sacraments of initiation.[53] She has dual American and Philippine citizenship.[54][55]
While driving a $148,495 BMW i8 in the streets of Los Angeles, California, Soberano met Daniel Mac, “Hi! What do you do for a living? Your car is awesome,” exclaimed Mac, who featured her in a TikTok video: “Casually meeting the largest [Filipino] actress.” “I’m an actress. A lot of my work is in the Philippines, so you probably don’t recognize me,” she replied.[56][57]