Biography
Who is Janella Salvador?
Early life and background
Janella Maxine Desiderio Salvador was born on March 30, 1998, in Cebu City, Philippines. She spent her childhood years growing up in the San Juan district within Metro Manila. Her parents are both involved in the entertainment industry. Her mother, Jenine Desiderio, is a musical actress known for her work on the West End stage. Her father, Juan Miguel Salvador, is a songwriter and former lead singer for the Rage Band.
The performer has a half-brother and two step-siblings. From a young age, she showed a strong interest in the performing arts. Between 2008 and 2009, she represented the Philippines at a world trade fair held in Seoul, South Korea. Her early stage experience included performing in a school musical titled Paul! Paul! At the Meralco Theater. Management directors Manny Valera and Johnny Manahan of Star Magic eventually signed her as a talent after she appeared on the show Eat Bulaga.
Acting career debut
Her professional acting career began in 2012 with a role in the daytime drama series Be Careful With My Heart. She played Nikki Grace Lim on the show, which aired until 2014. This project brought her significant recognition, and she was later launched as part of the Star Magic Circle 2013. In 2014, she secured film contracts with both Star Cinema and Regal Entertainment.
In 2015, she received her first leading television role in Oh My G! Where she portrayed an orphan. That same year, she released a debut album that earned platinum certification. She also made her film debut in the horror movie Haunted Mansion, which performed well at the 41st Metro Manila Film Festival and earned her the New Actress of the Year award.
Television and film roles
Throughout her career, she has taken on diverse projects across television and cinema. In 2016, she starred in the musical drama Born for You alongside Elmo Magalona. She also voiced a version of the song How Far I'll Go for Disney. Following a brief period away from television, she returned in 2019 for the gothic thriller The Killer Bride, playing the character Emma. This role resulted in her receiving the Princess of Philippine Television award.
Between 2022 and 2023, she played the villain Valentina in the series Darna. She also starred in the 2023 film Mallari, which earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress. In 2024, she starred in the international romance film Under Parallel Skies opposite Win Metawin. By 2025, she began exploring independent cinema with roles in projects like Fleeting and Open Endings. In 2026, she appeared in the mystery series What Lies Beneath and the variety show Kumusta.
Personal life and relationships
Janella Salvador was previously in a relationship with Filipino-British actor Markus Paterson. The couple welcomed a son named Jude on October 20, 2020, in Bath, Somerset, England. As of 2026, she is in a relationship with fellow actress Klea Pineda.
Birthday and age
Janella Salvador was born on March 30, 1998, which makes Janella 28 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aries sign. Janella shares the date with 68 other famous people.
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