The career of Hope Elizabeth Soberano launched in 2011 with a minor role in the fantasy anthology series Wansapanataym, eventually propelling her from a teenage model to a prominent figure in Philippine cinema. Born in Santa Clara, she holds citizenship in both the United States and the Philippines, maintaining a professional repertoire that spans film, television, and vocal performance.
Early Development and Relocation
Born on January 4, 1998, to a Filipino father and an American mother, Soberano spent her early childhood in California. Following family separations and a period within the foster care system, she was raised by her maternal grandparents in Visalia. At age ten, she moved to Pangasinan, Philippines, to reside with her father. Her interest in the entertainment industry grew after she observed local drama series despite initial language barriers. After relocating to Quezon City, she signed with talent manager Ogie Diaz at age thirteen, transitioning from print and television commercials into acting.
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Soberano adopted the stage name Liza on the recommendation of executive Malou Santos before her 2013 film debut in Must Be... Love. Her profile expanded significantly through the 2014 romantic drama series Got to Believe. Later that year, she achieved wider recognition starring as Agnes in the series Forevermore, a project that marked her first collaboration with actor Enrique Gil. Her performance in this role contributed to her receiving the Most Promising Female Star honor at the 2015 Box Office Entertainment Awards.
Diversification and International Projects
Throughout the late 2010s, Soberano headlined several romantic films including 2017's My Ex and Whys, which resulted in a Box Office Queen award. Seeking to expand beyond romantic pairings, she provided voice work for the 2021 animated series Trese. In 2022, she returned to California to pursue opportunities in Hollywood, culminating in a role in the 2024 horror comedy Lisa Frankenstein. Her professional contributions have been recognized by Tatler Asia, which named her among Asia's most influential individuals in 2022 and 2023.
Fast facts
- Born: January 4, 1998, Santa Clara, California
- Citizenship: United States and Philippines
- Debut Year: 2011
- Notable TV Series: Forevermore (2014)
- Languages: Italian, English, Tagalog
- Hollywood Feature Debut: Lisa Frankenstein (2024)
- Award: Asia's Most Influential Philippines (2022)
Questions readers ask
What is Liza Soberano's background in modeling?
She began her professional career as a model at age thirteen in the Philippines following her move to Quezon City.
Which languages does Liza Soberano speak?
She is proficient in Italian, English, and Tagalog.
When did she move to Hollywood?
Soberano returned to California in 2022 to pursue an acting career in the United States.