# Janella Salvador

Janella Maxine Desiderio Salvador (Tagalog:; born March 30, 1998) is a Filipino actress and singer. Debuting in the hit morning drama Be Careful with My Heart (2012–2014), she followed with lead roles in Oh My G! (2015), Born for You (2016), So Connected (2018), The Killer Bride (2019–2020), Darna (2022–2023) as Mars Ravelo supervillain Valentina, and Under Parallel Skies (2024). Her awards include three PMPC Star Awards, a FAMAS Award and Princess of Philippine Television.

## Early life

Janella Salvador was born in Cebu and raised in San Juan in Metro Manila.
Her parents are West End musical actress Jenine Desiderio and Juan Miguel Salvador, Awit Award winning songwriter and former lead singer of Rage Band.
She has a half-brother and two step siblings.

## Career
### 2008–2014: Early years, debut

Salvador has expressed interest in performing arts at a young age.
Between 2008 and 2009, she represented the Philippines in a world trade fair in Seoul, Korea. She appeared on stage in venues such as Meralco Theater, her first lead role being the school musical Paul! Paul! After guesting on Eat Bulaga's Sa Pula Sa Puti, management directors Manny Valera and Star Magic's Johnny Manahan signed her a contract as their talent.
Her official acting debut came in 2012 through the hit daytime drama, Be Careful With My Heart, which aired until 2014. Salvador's character, middle daughter Nikki Grace Lim, was widely known for her Taglish catchphrases. Winning newcomer awards, she would become one of the youngest faces of Garnier skin care. In 2013, she was officially launched as part of Star Magic Circle 2013. Salvador signed film contracts with Regal Entertainment and Star Cinema, both in 2014.

### 2015–present: Lead roles and music

ABS-CBN in 2015 cast Salvador in her first leading role in Oh My G! as an orphan who blames God for the trials in her life. On July 1, Salvador released her debut album, which eventually became certified platinum by PARI. After being selected to interpret the theme song "Happily Ever After" for Hong Kong Disneyland's 10th anniversary, she made her film debut in director Jun Lana's Haunted Mansion. The film was a top grosser at the 41st Metro Manila Film Festival and won Salvador the New Actress of the Year.
In 2016, she had her second major lead TV role through the music-based drama Born for You with Elmo Magalona. Salvador portrays an aspiring musician who studies and works in Tokyo. In the soundtrack, she released her first Japanese language songs. Salvador was announced to work with Disney a third time following her Disney in Concert, Kia Theatre performance with a Philippine exclusive version of Moana's "How Far I'll Go".
2017 came her first solo concert Super Janella. The same year, Salvador would appear in Topel Lee's ensemble film Bloody Crayons. It was announced Salvador would be cast in crime drama The Good Son (formerly Kung Kailangan Mo Ako) but following major script changes, announced she would step down from the role. She then accepted to join Himig Handog a third time through the Karlo Zabala penned song "Wow Na Feelings" which won 4th Best Song and TFC's Global Choice Award. By 2018, she headlined two films. Following a portrayal as a singing mermaid in fantasy film My Fairy Tail Love Story, she would garner praise as a love-struck waitress in director Jason Paul Laxamana's rom-com So Connected.
In 2019, Salvador returned to the small screen after three years through gothic thriller The Killer Bride. Her role as Emma, a mortuary cosmetologist who becomes possessed by the town's spirit won her Princess of Philippine Television at the national Box Office Entertainment Awards. By year end, Salvador starred opposite veteran actress Maricel Soriano in film The Heiress, which was based on the Philippine barang folklore. In 2020 she appeared in Tren, the second highest rating episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya for the year. She played Aira, a university student who reconciles with her past lover.
On November 19, 2021, she was confirmed as supervillain Valentina / Regina Vanguardia in Mars Ravelo's Darna, to be directed by Chito S. Roño. After months of stunt training, the series premiered in August 2022 and concluded February 2023. Her supporting role in Derick Cabrido's 2023 film Mallari gained her a Metro Manila Film Festival Award for Best Supporting Actress nomination.
In July 2023, she also concluded principal photography in Hong Kong for the international romance film Under Parallel Skies. She stars opposite Thai actor Win Metawin, with direction by Kita Kita director Sigrid Andrea Bernardo. It had its world premiere at the 17th Asian Film Awards, its nationwide theatrical release in the Philippines on April 17, Singapore on May, 1 and Thailand on May 9 2024, as well as limited screening in Laos, Cambodia, UAE and Vietnam. Salvador had her third exclusive contract with ABS-CBN on February 23, 2024, marking 12 years with the network. For Pride Month 2024, Salvador released a music video for her song Hey You that features a sapphic romantic storyline. Extended screenings for Under Parallel Skies lasted until October 2024 in Japan.
In 2025, she appeared in her first indie film, Fleeting, for CinePanalo 2025. She is slated for the upcoming non-romance series, What Lies Beneath.

## Personal life

She was previously in a relationship with Filipino-British actor Markus Paterson.
On October 20, 2020, she gave birth to their son Jude in Bath, Somerset, England.

## Discography
### Album

List of albums, with selected details and certifications :
| Title | Album details | Certifications |
| Janella Salvador | Full release: December 4, 2015 Label: Star Music Formats: Digital download, streaming Track listing "Harana Na Na Na" "Tick Tock Love" "Ganyan Talaga" "Dear Heart" "Teka Muna Pag-ibig" "Kapag Tumibok ang Puso" "I Can" "Mahal Kita Pero" "Kapag Tumibok ang Puso" (with Marlo Mortel) *Includes minus one versions of each track. | PARI: Platinum |

### Original soundtrack
## Filmography

Key :
| † | Denotes productions that have not yet been released |

### Film

| Year | Title | Role |
| 2015 | Haunted Mansion | Ella Santos |
| 2016 | Mano Po 7: Chinoy | Caroline Wong |
| 2017 | Bloody Crayons | Eunice Nicolas |
| 2018 | My Fairy Tail Love Story | Chantel Quejada |
| 2018 | So Connected | Trisha Biscocho |
| 2019 | The Heiress | Guia |
| 2023 | Mallari | Agnes Salvador |
| 2024 | Under Parallel Skies | Iris/Thea |
| 2025 | Fleeting | Gem |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role |
| 2012–2014 | Be Careful with My Heart | Nikki Grace Lim |
| 2014 | Goin' Bulilit | Herself |
| 2014 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Card | Felynit Gallego |
| 2014 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Selfie | Michelle Ann Rose Bonzo |
| 2014 | Home Sweetie Home | Teen Darla Sanchez |
| 2014-present | ASAP | Host / Performer |
| 2015 | Oh My G! | Sophie Z. Cepeda |
| 2015 | Wansapanataym: Fat Patty | Patricia Dionisio |
| 2015 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Pink Dress | Amabelle Marquez |
| 2015 | Wansapanataym: Christmas Witch | Irene |
| 2016 | FPJ's Ang Probinsyano | Denise Paulino |
| 2016 | Born for You | Samantha "Sam" Reyes / Sam Kazuko |
| 2016 | Wansapanataym: Holly & Mau | Holly Arellano |
| 2017–2018 | Wansapanataym: Jasmin's Flower Powers | Rose Miraflores |
| 2018 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Mangga | Daisy |
| 2018 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Cards | Rosela |
| 2019 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: White Ribbon | Moira Dela Torre |
| 2019 | Touch Screen | Amanda Muñoz |
| 2019–2020 | The Killer Bride | Emma Bonaobra / Vida Dela Cuesta |
| 2020 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Tren | Aira Dimapilis |
| 2020 | U-turn | Drew |
| 2021 | Click, Like, Share: Barter | Janice |
| 2022–2023 | Mars Ravelo's Darna | Valentina / Regina Vanguardia |
| 2025 | What Lies Beneath † | TBA |

### Music video

| Year | Title | Artist |
| 2015 | "Chinito Problems" | Enchong Dee |
| 2017 | "Unli" | BoybandPH |
| 2024 | "Huling Ngiti" | Marlo Mortel |

## Stage musical

| Year | Title | Location | Ref. |
| 2008 | Jollitown Christmas | — | |
| 2009 | Paul! Paul! | Meralco Theater | |

## Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination :
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee / Work | Result |
| Alta Media Icon Awards | 2015 | Best Female Recording Artist | Janella Salvador | Won |
| ASAP Pop Viewers' Choice Awards | 2013 | Pop Breakthrough Star | Be Careful with My Heart | Won |
| ASAP Pop Viewers' Choice Awards | 2014 | Pop Female Cutie | Be Careful with My Heart | Nominated |
| ASAP Pop Viewers' Choice Awards | 2014 | Pop Teen Popsies | Janella Salvador (with Marlo Mortel) Be Careful with My Heart | Nominated |
| Candy Readers' Choice Awards | 2013 | Female Rising Star | Be Careful with My Heart | Won |
| Dramaland Awards | 2022 | Best Supporting Actress | Darna | Won |
| FAMAS Award | 2013 | German Moreno Youth Achievement Award | Janella Salvador | Won |
| Gawad PASADO Awards | 2015 | PinakaPASADOng Dangal ng Kabataan | Janella Salvador | Won |
| Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation (GMMSF) Box Office Entertainment Awards | 2014 | Most Promising Female Star | Be Careful with My Heart | Won |
| Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation (GMMSF) Box Office Entertainment Awards | 2014 | Most Promising Loveteam for Television | Janella Salvador (with Jerome Ponce) Be Careful with My Heart | Won |
| Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation (GMMSF) Box Office Entertainment Awards | 2020 | Princess of Philippine Television | The Killer Bride | Won |
| Golden Screen TV Awards | 2014 | Outstanding Breakthrough Performance by an Actress | Be Careful with My Heart | Nominated |
| Guild of Educators, Mentors, and Students Award | 2019 | Best Actress in a Leading Role | The Killer Bride | Nominated |
| Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs | 2014 | 3rd Best Song | "Mahal Kita Pero" | Won |
| Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs | 2014 | Best Music Video | "Mahal Kita Pero" | Won |
| Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs | 2017 | 4th Best Song | "Wow Na Feelings" | Won |
| Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs | 2017 | TFC's Global Choice Award | "Wow Na Feelings" | Won |
| Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs | 2019 | 4th Best Song | "Nung Tayo Pa" | Won |
| Jeepney TV Fan Favorite Awards | 2022 | Lead Actress | | Nominated |
| Lionheart TV Awards | 2022 | Favorite Kontrabida | Darna | Won |
| Metro Manila Film Festival | 2023 | Best Supporting Actress | Mallari | Nominated |
| MOR Pinoy Music Awards | 2015 | Best New Artist | Janella Salvador | Nominated |
| Myx Music Awards | 2015 | Best Appearance in a Music Video | "Chinito Problems" | Nominated |
| Myx Music Awards | 2019 | Remake of the Year | "Be My Fairytale" | Nominated |
| Myx Music Awards | 2019 | Media Soundtrack of the Year | "Be My Fairytale" | Nominated |
| Myx Music Awards | 2019 | MYX Celebrity VJ of the Year | Janella Salvador (with Elmo Magalona) | Nominated |
| Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards | 2017 | Favorite Pinoy Star | Janella Salvador | Nominated |
| PMPC Star Awards for Music | 2016 | Best New Female Recording Artist of the Year | Janella Salvador | Won |
| PMPC Star Awards for Movies | 2016 | New Movie Actress of the Year | Haunted Mansion | Won |
| PMPC Star Awards for Television | 2013 | Best New Female TV Personality | Be Careful with My Heart | Won |
| Push Awards | 2022 | Favorite Onscreen Performance | Darna | Nominated |
| Southeast Asian Achievement Award | 2022 | Best Supporting Actress | Darna | Won |
| TAG Awards Chicago | 2022 | Best Supporting Actress | Darna | Won |
| Top 10 of Asia | 2024 | Southeast Asian Best Actress (Top 10) | Janella Salvador | Won |
| Wish 107.5 Music Awards | 2016 | Best WISHclusive Performance by a Young Artist | “Mahal Kita Pero” | Nominated |
| Wish 107.5 Music Awards | 2016 | WISH Original Song of the Year | “Mahal Kita Pero” | Won |
| Wish 107.5 Music Awards | 2016 | WISH Young Artist of the Year | | Nominated |
| Yahoo! Celebrity Awards | 2014 | Female Emerging Star | Be Careful with My Heart | Nominated |