Did you know that Hollywood has quite a bit of talent that has its roots on our shores? Get to know 12 Hollywood Celebrities with Filipino Blood!
In recent years, Hollywood has witnessed a significant surge in the acknowledgment and celebration of Asian representation, including that of Filipino artists. From actors to musicians, the following Hollywood celebrities proudly embrace their Filipino heritage, contributing to the industry’s growing tapestry of multicultural talent.#
In this article, you’ll get to know 12 Hollywood Celebrities with Filipino Blood that you can brag to your non-pinoy friends about and be proud of!
Hollywood Celebrities with Filipino Blood
12. Dave Bautista
Known for his formidable presence in action films, Dave Bautista, a former professional wrestler turned actor, has Filipino blood running through his veins. Born to a Filipino father and Greek mother, Bautista openly expresses his Filipino pride and often engages with Pinoy fans on social media. He is immensely proud of his heritage and even boasts several Filipino-inspired tattoos. These include waving flags of the Philippines and Greece on his left arm, along with symbols like the three yellow stars and sun of the Philippine flag. Beyond his on-screen roles, Bautista actively supports initiatives promoting diversity in Hollywood and advocates for more opportunities for actors from underrepresented backgrounds.
Photo from Dave Bautista’s Instagram
11. Vanessa Hudgens
The multi-talented Vanessa Hudgens rose to fame with her role in Disney’s “High School Musical.” With a mix of Filipino and Irish ancestry, Hudgens has occasionally shared glimpses of her Filipino culture, including celebrations and family gatherings, on her social media platforms. She actively promotes Filipino culture by participating in various events and openly advocates for diversity in Hollywood. After all, authentic representation in the entertainment industry is important, and Vanessa Hudgens knows that. After a visit in the country in March 2023, the Philippine government named Vanessa a global tourism ambassador.
Photo from Vanessa Hudgen’s Instagram
10. Apl.de.ap (Allan Pineda Lindo)
A founding member of the Grammy Award-winning group The Black Eyed Peas, Apl.de.ap is a Filipino-American rapper and musician. Born in the Philippines, he was adopted by an American family and later found success in the global music scene, proudly representing his Filipino heritage. Apl.de.ap has been involved in philanthropic work in the Philippines and regularly contributes to various charitable causes, including education and healthcare initiatives.
Photo from Apl.de.ap’s Instagram
9. Jessica Sanchez
Known for her powerful voice and impressive run on “American Idol,” Jessica Sanchez has Filipino and Mexican heritage. She has embraced her multicultural background and has been involved in various charitable activities benefiting the Filipino community. In fact, once we even ran into her singing at O-Bar in Manila! Ever since she rose to stardom, her success in the music industry has inspired young Filipino artists to pursue their dreams on the global stage.
Jessica actively advocates for diversity in the music industry and uses her platform to address issues related to representation and inclusivity. In 2021, she debuted the single “Us,” addressing the xenophobia and racism stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, accompanied by a music video featuring appearances by Apl.de.ap and Mark Cuban. Then, in 2022, she released her self-penned single “Baddie,” championing women’s empowerment. Jessica Sanchez is truly an admirable example of female Hollywood celebrities with Filipino blood.
Photo from Jessica Sanchez’ Instagram
8. Darren Criss
The Emmy Award-winning actor Darren Criss, known for his roles in “Glee” and “The Assassination of Gianni Versace,” is of Filipino, Spanish, and Chinese descent. Criss has been vocal about his multicultural background and the importance of representation in the entertainment industry. His contributions extend beyond acting, as he actively supports initiatives promoting diversity and inclusion in Hollywood. Criss passionately champions LGBT rights and plays a vital role in supporting The Trevor Project, a prominent national organization dedicated to preventing suicide among LGBTQ+ youth.
Photo from Darren Criss’ Instagram
7. Lea Salonga
Renowned for her exceptional talent in both singing and acting, Lea Salonga is the original a Broadway and West End star with Filipino roots. She gained international fame for her portrayal of Kim in “Miss Saigon” and as the singing voice of Disney princesses Jasmine and Mulan. Salonga is a vocal advocate for Filipino arts and culture, and she continues to inspire aspiring Filipino performers worldwide. In addition to her artistic contributions, Salonga is involved in charitable endeavors that uplift Filipino communities.
Credited for her vocal contributions to iconic Disney characters like Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and Fa Mulan in Mulan and Mulan II, Lea was named a “Disney Legend” in 2011. Her impact extends beyond animation, as she was honored by TIME magazine in September 2022 at the TIME100 Impact Awards for her enduring role as a life-long role model, particularly for children of color.
Photo from Lea Salonga’s Instagram
6. Nicole Scherzinger
As the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls and a successful solo artist, Nicole Scherzinger has Filipino and Hawaiian heritage. Born to a Filipino father, Scherzinger has not only dominated the music scene but has also ventured into acting and television hosting.
She’s one of the female hollywood celebrities with filipino blood that our kababayans are especially proud of. After all, she happily engages with her Pinoy fans, acknowledging the impact of her heritage on her career and personal life. Scherzinger is an ambassador for organizations promoting education and cultural exchange between the Philippines and other countries. Despite not knowing the language, she recorded a song in Filipino on Troy Laureta’s OPM album, Kaibigan.
Photo from Nicole Scherzinger’s Instagram
5. Manny Jacinto
Not to be mistaken with Manny Pacquiao, this Filipino-Canadian actor is well known for his role as Jason Mendoza in the television series “The Good Place.” Born in Manila to Filipino-Chinese parents, Manny moved to Canada with his family in 1990, settling in Richmond, British Columbia, at the age of three. He was raised in Richmond and attended Vancouver College, an all-boys Catholic high school, where he actively participated in sports like baseball and basketball. In an interview with TFC (The Filipino Channel) California, he mentioned that he’d be interested filming a Filipino romcom! Let’s hope that it happens one day!
Photo from Manny Jacinto’s Instagram
4. Hailee Steinfeld
Academy Award-nominated actress and singer Hailee Steinfeld has Filipino, English, and German ancestry. Her Filipino heritage traces back to her maternal grandfather, Ricardo, from Panglao, Bohol, who was of mixed Filipino and African-American descent. Hailee rose to fame with her breakout role in “True Grit,” and has since become successful in both TV/film and the music industry. She supports various charities, especially those benefitting children, including “What’s Your Mission?”, “No Kid Hungry”, WE Movement, The Ryan Seacrest Foundation, and Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Photo from Hailee Steinfield’s Instagram
3. Enrique Iglesias
The internationally acclaimed Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias has Filipino roots through his mother, Isabel Preysler, who is of Filipino and Spanish descent. Enrique has achieved massive success in the Latin music industry and also has a significant fanbase in the Philippines. Throughout his career, he has supported various charities, including City of Hope, Habitat for Humanity, and Special Olympics, among others. In 2013, he urged donations to the American Red Cross for victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.
Photo from Enrique Iglesias’ Instagram
2. Bruno Mars
Everone loves Grammy Award-winning artist Bruno Mars, especially Filipinos. That’s because his music is fantastic and he’s one of our own: he is half Filipino and half Puerto Rican. Born Peter Gene Hernandez, Bruno has brought Filipino culture into the spotlight on several occasions and has expressed his love for the Philippines. He always includes the Philippines on his world tours and has held several concerts in both Manila and Cebu. He continues to be an ambassador for Filipino representation in the music industry, influencing a new generation of Filipino artists and actively collaborating with Pinoy talents and producers.
Photo from Bruno Mars’ Instagram
1. Olivia Rodrigo
In 2021, breakout sensation Olivia Rodrigo captivated audiences with her debut album “SOUR.” Olivia, who is half Filipino and half Caucasian, has German and Irish roots from her mother’s side. Her paternal great-grandfather immigrated from the Philippines as a teenager, and her family proudly practices Filipino cultural traditions and cuisine. She often acknowledges her Filipino heritage in interviews and on social media. As she gears up for her upcoming world tour, she’s set to visit the Philippines for the very first time! Fingers crossed for her visit and let’s welcome her warmly when she finally comes to visit the Philippines!
Photo from Olivia Rodrigo’s Instagram
