10 Hollywood Celebrities You Did Not Know Have Filipino Heritage
You might frequently see these artists in movies, listen to their music, or watch their videos on social media platforms, yet you might never have the slightest idea that these Hollywood stars are actually of Filipino descent. Well, some of them are fully Filipino
Regardless, Filipinos are just as talented and adaptive as always. Wherever you place them, they possess a unique charm that makes them stand out. In the case of these top Hollywood celebrities, it's their talent that has paved the way to international fame.
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Here are ten Hollywood celebrities with Filipino heritage:
1. Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars, originally named Peter Gene Hernandez, is a mega-talented American artist, who isn't just a singer but also a songwriter, record producer, musician, and, as we've witnessed, a dancer. This superstar is known for hits like "Uptown Funk" and "Just the Way You Are." Behind this incredible talent is his mom, Bernadette San Pedro Bayot Hernandez, hailing from Cebu, Philippines. Unfortunately, she passed away in 2013 due to a brain aneurysm.
2. Vanessa Hudgens
Vanessa Hudgens is not just an actress but also a singer. You remember her as Gabriela Montez from High School Musical and, more recently, as the star of The Princess Switch. What you might not know is that Vanessa is half Filipina, thanks to her mom, Gina Guanco, who hails from Manila. On her dad's side, there's a mix of Irish, French, and Native American heritage. Vanessa has always been proud of her Filipino roots.
3. Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigo is an emerging pop sensation, just 20 years old but already causing a stir in the music scene. You've probably heard her hits "Driver's License" and "Deja Vu" making the rounds. Well, Olivia has a Filipino background, with her dad being Filipino-American. She even shared that her great-grandfather moved from the Philippines to the US as a teenager. Olivia's family keeps up with Filipino traditions and enjoys Filipino cuisine.
4. Hailee Steinfeld
Hailee Steinfeld is not just an actress but also a singer. You might remember her as Emily Junk in Pitch Perfect 2, Kate Bishop in the new Marvel series, The Hawkeye, and Emily Dickinson in the TV series Dickinson. What you might not know is that her maternal grandfather, Ricardo Domasin, was half Filipino from Panglao, Bohol. In an interview, she proudly mentioned, "I have Filipino blood in me, and I’m so proud of that."
5. Nicole Prascovia Elikolani Valiente
Born in the U.S. and raised in Hawaii, Nicole Prascovia Elikolani Valiente is a singer, actress, and TV personality. You might remember her as the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls, a group that became one of the best-selling girl groups ever. Nicole's proud of her Filipino roots – her dad, Alfonso Valiente, is of Filipino descent. She's even taken the stage at the Global Filipino Music Festival, showing off her love for her heritage.
6. Bella Poarch
Bella Poarch is truly Filipino. Born in the Philippines, she was adopted by an American family as a child. An interesting tidbit – she joined the U.S. Navy at 18, serving for four years before rising to social media stardom. Her catchy pop track "Build a Bitch" has not only made headlines but also gone viral.
7. Enrique Iglesias
Enrique is not only a singer but also a songwriter, making history as one of the best-selling Latin music artists. And here's a surprise – this hot pop star is half Filipino! His dad is Julio Iglesias, who tied the knot with Manila's stunning socialite and magazine journalist Isabel Preysler. She's a Filipina mestiza with Spanish roots.
8. H.E.R.
H.E.R., whose real name is Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, is an R&B singer. She has become one of the most established and most awarded Filipino-American artists with four Grammys under her belt and top-charting songs like “Best Part” and “Damage.” She was born to a Filipino mother.
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9. Dave Bautista
Dave Bautista is an American actor and a retired pro wrestler. You probably recognize him as Drax from Guardians of the Galaxy or as the six-time WWE champion "Batista." His dad, Michael Bautista, is Filipino, and Dave takes pride in his Filipino heritage. In a cool move, he brought Adobo on the Guardians set, and he fondly recalls everyone devouring it.
10. Jacob Batalon
Born in Hawaii, Jacob Batalon is known for his role as Ned in Spider-Man: No Way Home. He's proudly all Filipino. Jacob's supportive mom, Eva Andres, comes from Pangasinan, Philippines, solidifying Jacob's pride in his Filipino heritage.
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