Janella Maxine Desiderio Salvador () is a Filipino actress and singer. Debuting in the morning drama series 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 Maxine Desiderio Salvador was born on March 30, 1998 in Cebu and raised in San Juan in Metro Manila.
Her parents are West End musical actress Jenine Desiderio and Juan Miguel "JM" Salvador, Awit Award recipient 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 (then-airing on GMA Network), 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 two indie films, Fleeting, and queer film Open Endings for Cinemalaya 2025; the latter performance winning her a shared Cinemalaya Award for Best Group Ensemble.
From October 2025 to April 2026, she top-billed the mystery series What Lies Beneath with an all-star cast, showing on both Netflix Philippines and Kapamilya. The series reached number 1 in the country on Netflix upon debut, and stayed in the top 10 for several months. Since mid 2026, she stars alongside Jodi Sta. Maria, Francine Diaz, Arci Muñoz, Ji Chang-wook, and Michelin star-recognized Filipino chef JP Anglo in the Philippine-Korean international variety show Kumusta''. Airing simultaneously live on TV5 and online through Viu (Asia, Middle East, Africa) and Viki (America, Europe, etc), the program aims to introduce Filipino cuisine abroad as the cast open a restaurant in Gangnam.
Upcoming projects She is confirmed as a main actor for the Philippine adaptation for The Good Doctor.
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.
As of 2026, Salvador is in a relationship with fellow actress Klea Pineda.
Discography Album Title Album details Certifications Janella Salvador Full release: December 4, 2015 Label: Star Music Formats: Digital download, streaming PARI: Platinum
Singles Title Year Album "Mahal Kita Pero" 2014 Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs 2014 "Ganyan Talaga" 2015 Janella Salvador "Kapag Tumibok Ang Puso" "Harana Na Na Na" "Mananatili" 2016 Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs 2016 "Alam Mo Ba" Elmo "Wow Na Feelings" 2017 Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs 2017 "Hey It's Me" Hey It's Me, Jamie "Atin Cu Pung Sing Sing" 2018 Awit at Laro "Take It Easy" 2019 "Nung Tayo Pa" Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs 2019 "Blanko" 2020 rowspan="3" "headtone" 2024 "Hey You"
Original soundtrack Title Year Album "Pumapag-Ibig" 2016 The Achy Breaky Hearts OST "Born for You" Born for You OST "How Far I'll Go - " Moana OST "Be My Fairytale" 2018 My Fairy Tail Love Story OST
Filmography
+KeyDenotes 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 So Connected Trisha Biscocho 2019 The Heiress Guia 2023 Mallari Agnes Salvador 2024 Under Parallel Skies Iris/Thea 2025FleetingGemOpen EndingsCharlie
Television Year Title Role 2012–2014 Be Careful with My Heart Nikki Grace Lim 2014 Goin' Bulilit Herself Maalaala Mo Kaya: Card Felynit Gallego Maalaala Mo Kaya: Selfie Michelle Ann Rose Bonzo Home Sweetie Home Teen Darla Sanchez 2014–present ASAP Host / Performer 2015 Oh My G! Sophie Z. Cepeda Wansapanataym: Fat Patty Patricia Dionisio Maalaala Mo Kaya: Pink Dress Amabelle Marquez Wansapanataym: Christmas Witch Irene 2016 FPJ's Ang Probinsyano Denise Paulino Born for You Samantha "Sam" Reyes / Sam Kazuko Wansapanataym: Holly & Mau Holly Arellano 2017–2018 Wansapanataym: Jasmin's Flower Powers Rose "Jasmin" Miraflores 2018 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Mangga Daisy Maalaala Mo Kaya: Cards Rosela 2019 Maalaala Mo Kaya: White Ribbon Moira Dela Torre Touch Screen Amanda Muñoz 2019–2020 The Killer Bride Emma Bonaobra / Vida Dela Cuesta 2020 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Tren Aira Dimapilis U-turn Drew 2021 Click, Like, Share: Barter Janice 2022–2023 Mars Ravelo's Darna Valentina / Regina Vanguardia 2025 What Lies Beneath Alicia Marie "Alice" Quintana-Miller 2026 Kumusta Herself Lead role
Music video Year Title Artist 2015 "Chinito Problems" Enchong Dee 2017 "Unli" BoybandPH 2024 "Huling Ngiti" Marlo Mortel
Stage musical Year Title Location 2008 Jollitown Christmas N/A 2009 Paul! Paul! Meralco Theater
Awards and nominations Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Alta Media Icon Awards 2015 Best Female Recording Artist Janella Salvador ASAP Pop Viewers' Choice Awards 2013 Pop Breakthrough Star Be Careful with My Heart 2014 Pop Female Cutie "Nominees for ASAP Pop Viewers' Choice revealed" . ABS-CBN News. Retrieved December 3, 2014. Pop Teen Popsies Janella Salvador Be Careful with My Heart Candy Readers' Choice Awards 2013 Female Rising Star Be Careful with My Heart Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival 2025 Best Ensemble Performance (shared with Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Klea Pineda, and Leanne Mamonong) Open Endings Dramaland Awards 2022 Best Supporting ActressDarna FAMAS Award 2013 German Moreno Youth Achievement Award Janella Salvador Gawad PASADO Awards 2015 PinakaPASADOng Dangal ng Kabataan Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation (GMMSF) Box Office Entertainment Awards 2014 Most Promising Female Star Be Careful with My Heart Most Promising Loveteam for Television Janella Salvador Be Careful with My Heart 2020 Princess of Philippine Television The Killer Bride Golden Screen TV Awards 2014 Outstanding Breakthrough Performance by an Actress Be Careful with My Heart Guild of Educators, Mentors, and Students Award 2019 Best Actress in a Leading Role The Killer Bride Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs 2014 3rd Best Song "Mahal Kita Pero" Best Music Video 2017 4th Best Song "Wow Na Feelings" TFC's Global Choice Award 2019 4th Best Song "Nung Tayo Pa" Jeepney TV Fan Favorite Awards 2022 Lead Actress Lionheart TV Awards 2022 Favorite Kontrabida Darna Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 Best Supporting Actress Mallari MOR Pinoy Music Awards 2015 Best New Artist Janella Salvador Myx Music Awards 2015 Best Appearance in a Music Video "Chinito Problems" 2019 Remake of the Year "Be My Fairytale" Media Soundtrack of the Year MYX Celebrity VJ of the Year Janella Salvador Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards2017Favorite Pinoy StarJanella Salvador PMPC Star Awards for Music 2016 Best New Female Recording Artist of the Year Janella Salvador PMPC Star Awards for Movies 2016 New Movie Actress of the Year Haunted Mansion PMPC Star Awards for Television 2013 Best New Female TV Personality Be Careful with My Heart Push Awards 2022 Favorite Onscreen PerformanceDarna Southeast Asian Achievement Award 2022 Best Supporting Actress Darna TAG Awards Chicago 2022 Best Supporting Actress Darna Top 10 of Asia2024Southeast Asian Best Actress (Top 10)Janella Salvador Wish 107.5 Music Awards 2016Best WISHclusive Performance by a Young Artist“Mahal Kita Pero” WISH Original Song of the Year “Mahal Kita Pero” WISH Young Artist of the Year Yahoo! Celebrity Awards 2014 Female Emerging Star Be Careful with My Heart
References
External links
on Star Magic