Jane de Leon
Jane Florence Benitez De Leon (born November 22, 1998) is a Filipina actress, singer, model, and dancer. She was a former member of a noontime show dance group Girltrends. She is known for her portrayal of Darna in the 2022 Philippine television series of the same name.
Jane De Leon | |||||||
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De Leon in 2020 | |||||||
| Born | Jane Florence Benitez De Leon November 22, 1998 Quezon City, Philippines | ||||||
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| Years active | 2014–present | ||||||
| Agent(s) | Star Magic (2014–present) JRB Creative Production (2022–present) | ||||||
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| Channels | Jane De Leon | ||||||
| Years active | 2022–present | ||||||
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| Subscribers | 100,000 | ||||||
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Last updated: August 21, 2022 | |||||||
Early life
Jane Florence Benitez de Leon was born on November 22, 1998, in Quezon City, Philippines, to Maricor Benitez-De-Leon, a housewife and Ruel Florencio de Leon, a businessman.[1] She is the youngest in the family with an older brother named Francis.[2] Her family was living well growing up, until her father lost his job.[3] This forced her to audition for various modeling and acting projects. De Leon and her family became unfortunate that they couldn't afford basic needs. During her one-on-one interview with columnist Ogie Diaz on one of his YouTube videos, De Leon revealed that she would often sneak out at night, together with her mother to come to Metro Manila for various auditions as her father greatly opposed De Leon's passion for acting.[4] Before becoming a commercial model and actress, De Leon's mother encouraged her to join various beauty pageants.[4] Her father had four other children from his prior relationships namely Ned, Kirox, Carol, and Karen. She attended Sampaguita Village Elementary School and San Roque Elementary School in San Pedro, Laguna for her primary schooling and Sampaguita Village National High School for secondary studies. In 2016, her father died due to lung cancer, after that she went on to pursue her luck for show business.[4]
Career
2013-2019: Early work and career beginnings
De Leon joined various beauty pageants and auditioned for modeling stints as she was first interested in becoming a commercial model rather than an actress. It was in one of her modeling stints that she got discovered by a talent scout from GMA Network.[5] De Leon formally began her career as an actress signed under the GMA Artists Agency from 2013 to 2015 but unfortunately, she was not given a project.[5] In 2015, Tyronne Escalante, chief executive officer and founder of Tyronne Escalante Artist Management discovered her and brought her to Star Magic where her career with ABS-CBN started. She landed supporting roles in a fantasy drama La Luna Sangre top billed by Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo.[6] She also acted on various episodes of Wansapanataym and as a rape victim in crime drama anthology Ipaglaban Mo.[6] De Leon debuted as supporting actress in her first movie, Ex with Benefits (2015) alongside Derek Ramsey and Coleen Garcia.[6] She later on starred as one of the main casts for the movie The Debutantes released in 2017 alongside Sue Ramirez.[7] In 2016, De Leon was launched as a member of Girltrends, a female dance group of a noontime variety show, It's Showtime.[8] In 2017, De Leon auditioned for the global pop group Now United along with Bailey May, AC Bonifacio and Ylona Garcia in Los Angeles, but she failed to make the final cut.[9][10] In 2018, De Leon played a role on a coming-of-age film Walwal produced by Star Cinema. She acted alongside Donny Pangilinan, Elmo Magalona and Devon Seron.[11] In 2019, De Leon was included as cast of ABS-CBN primetime series Halik alongside Jericho Rosales wherein she played the role of Margarita "Maggie" Bartolome, this was considered her biggest project at that time.[12] In the same year, she was cast in a minor role in a Regal Entertainment horror film The Heiress.[13]
2019- present: Darna and breakthrough
| External images | |
|---|---|
| De Leon as Darna for Metro Magazine Cover Metro Style Magazine cover for August 2022 | |
| De Leon's alternate cover for Metro Magazine Metro Style Magazine cover, August 2022 |
As early as 2013, ABS-CBN acquired the rights to air Mars Ravelo comic series into movies, and the first role in development was the female superhero Darna.[14] Erik Matti signed to direct a new Darna film in 2014,[15][16] with Star Cinema and Matti's Reality Entertainment co-producing the project.[17][18] It was Angel Locsin who initially chosen to play the role but later on changed to Liza Soberano due to Locsin's spinal injury.[19] In 2018, Soberano also backed out for the role due to a finger injury which led to ABS-CBN holding auditions for the role.[19] ABS-CBN even opened the auditions to the public via their talent scouts and Starhunt camps. Despite being relatively new to show business, De Leon beat over 300 women, including other more popular celebrities who auditioned for the coveted "Darna" role. On July 17, 2019, De Leon was announced as the actress to play the titular character in the film Darna, her biggest project to date.[20] Director Olivia Lamasan explained that De Leon earned the unanimous vote of ABS-CBN executives and Darna director Jerold Tarog.[6] It was even Tarog who presented De Leon's audition tapes to the executives and according to him, De Leon impressed him for being an "instinctive actress."[6] The network released the video of the announcement in July of that year, which showed de Leon shocked as she received the biggest news in her career.[21] In the video, de Leon was questioned by network executives on just how committed she was in taking on the role wherein she promised a hundred percent commitment to it.[21] When de Leon was finally unveiled as the new Darna, former Star Magic chairman and director Johnny Manahan shared that he made the young actress go to the auditions because he believed in her capabilities as an actress.[21] The announcement became trending on various social media sites which gave a breakthrough for her career.[22] However, in August 2020, it was announced that the film project would be postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a Darna TV series, also starring De Leon, would be developed in its place.[23][24]
In 2021, De Leon joined the cast of FPJ's Ang Probinsyano as guest cast.[25][26] Because of her guesting on the show, the production for her upcoming Darna series was postponed.[25] After her exit from the show, she started preparing for her role as Darna which was set to roll in November of that year, but later on postponed again for unknown reason[25][27] This confirmation came after ABS-CBN revealed that Chito Roño would be directing the series.[28] In preparation for the role, she started vigorous trainings and worked out to prepare for her fight scenes required for the role.[29] She also had to practice modulating her voice for her character's signature yell "Darna!"[30] On August 15, 2022, Darna finally premiered, replacing Ang Probinsyano in its time slot.[31] De Leon graced the cover of Metro magazine for the first time after her costume for Darna was revealed on TV.[32] On an interview from Metro, De Leon talked about how her middle-class mother almost gambled on everything else to get her to the terrain of success, De Leon recollects her memory and reminisces how hard her beginning was.[32]
Philanthropy
In September 2019, De Leon was announced as the winner for the Belo Beauty Special Award at the annual ABS-CBN Ball.[33] During the interview with ABS-CBN, she revealed that instead of taking the proceeds from the award, she decided to give it all to the beneficiary of the said Ball - the social welfare programme, Bantay Bata 163.[33] This foundation aims to protect disadvantaged and at-risk children through a nationwide network of social services. De Leon said that it is better to be an example to help these children, who may have their own ideas on what they want for the future lives.[33] In the same year, De Leon also attended the Red Charity Gala, to raise funds for the Philippine Red Cross, a non-profit humanitarian organization and a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.[34][35]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Ex With Benefits | Arki's sister | [1] | |
| 2017 | The Debutantes | Jenny | ||
| Jose Bartolome: Guro | ||||
| 2018 | Walwal | Carla | ||
| 2019 | The Heiress | young Luna |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Wansapanataym | Sassy | |
| ASAP | Herself (performer) | ||
| It's Showtime | Herself (dancer) | [36] | |
| Maalaala Mo Kaya | Apple | ||
| Sally | |||
| Vilma | |||
| 2017 | Angelique | ||
| Doreen | |||
| Ipaglaban Mo! | Sharlene | ||
| Maalaala Mo Kaya | young Marlene | ||
| 2017–2018 | La Luna Sangre | Lauren Catapang | [36] |
| 2018 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Cesar's Daughter | |
| Ipaglaban Mo! | Kate Dollente | [37] | |
| 2018–2019 | Halik | Margarita "Maggie" Bartolome | [38] |
| 2019 | Ipaglaban Mo! | Tere | |
| 2019–present | ASAP | Herself (performer) | |
| 2020 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Nesthy Petecio | |
| Dr. Lerma Bhelle Iglesia | |||
| 2021 | FPJ's Ang Probinsyano | P/Cpt. Natalia "Lia" Mante | [26] |
| 2022 | Magandang Buhay | Herself (guest) | |
| 2022–2023 | Mars Ravelo's Darna | Narda Custodio / Darna | [23] |
Music video appearances
| Year | Title | Artist | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | "Mahal Mo Pa Rin Ako" | Ace | [39] |
Awards & recognitions
| Year | Title | Awards ceremony | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Belo Beauty Special Award | ABS-CBN Ball 2019 | Won | [40] |
| 2021 | 34th PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Single Performance by an Actress | Nominated | [41] |
| 2022 | Huwarang Artista ng Mga Kabataan | Inding-Indie Excellence Awards | Won | [42][43] |
| 2022 | Most Outstanding Female Actress of the Year | Asia's Pinnacle Awards | Won | [44] |
| 2022 | Special Award | 6th Outstanding Men and Women of the Philippines | Won | [45][46] |
References
- ^ a b "Jane de Leon: Rise of the next-generation Darna". PEP.ph. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
- ^ Atilano, Joseph R. (August 18, 2022). "Spotlight on Jane de Leon". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ Baylon, Khryzztine Joy (August 19, 2022). "Jane de Leon recalls hardship before achieving success: "Minsan yung kinakain na lang namin, asin."". PEP.ph. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ a b c Atilano, Joseph. "Spotlight on Jane de Leon". Inquirer. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ a b Ichimura, Anri. "Who is Jane De Leon, the New Darna?". Esquire.com. Esquire Magazine. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "Why Jane De Leon? ABS-CBN execs explain decision in choosing new 'Darna'". TheSummitExpress.com. The Summit Express. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ Cruz, Oggs (October 8, 2017). "'The Debutantes' review: Designed to death". RAPPLER. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
- ^ "WATCH: Former Girltrend Jane De Leon, muling nagbalik It's Showtime stage!". ent.abs-cbn.com. ABS-CBN. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ "Now United: Dreams Come True - The Documentary" – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "Actress Jane De Leon's Plastic Surgery: Before and After Pics!". Landscapeinsight.com. Landscape Insight. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ "Walwal". Starcinema.com. Star Cinema. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ Maglaqui, Rhovin. "LOOK: Jane de Leon reunites with 'Halik' co-star Jericho Rosales!". abs-can.com. ABS-CBN. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ "The Heiress (2019)". IMDB.com. IMDb. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
- ^ Policarpio, Allan. "Network mum on new 'Darna'". Philippinedailyinquirer. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ Dumaual, Miguel (June 27, 2014). "Angel Locsin to fly as Darna in 'PH's biggest movie'". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
- ^ "It's official! Liza Soberano is the new Darna". ABS-CBN News. May 30, 2017. from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
- ^ "Darna, liliparin ang bulkan? Stunning VFX reel surfaces online". ABS-CBN News. January 18, 2018. from the original on April 5, 2018. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
- ^ "The New Pinoy 'Darna' Movie: Director Erik Matti Teases Details". International Business Times. January 25, 2016. from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
- ^ a b "Liza Soberano backs out of 'Darna' due to finger injury". Rappler.com. Rappler. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ "IN PHOTOS: Meet the new Darna, Jane De Leon". ABS-CBN News. July 17, 2019.
- ^ a b c Ranara, John Patrick. "Take a look back at how Jane de Leon first found out she's the next Darna". philstar.com. Philippine Star. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ "In Photos: The Cast Members of ABS-CBN's "Darna" Series". Metro Style. Metro. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ a b Biong, Ian (August 21, 2020). "'Darna' production postponed indefinitely over COVID-19 concerns, ABS-CBN clarifies". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
- ^ "'Darna' film starring Jane de Leon scrapped—report". INQUIRER.net. August 20, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Jane de Leon tatanggalin na sa Ang Probinsyano; lilipad na bilang bagong Darna". Pep.ph. PEP. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ a b Buan-Deveza, Reyma (February 5, 2021). "For Jane de Leon, being part of 'Ang Probinsyano' is a dream come true". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Roque, Nika (October 6, 2021). "Newest 'Darna' for TV set to roll in Nov". The Manila Times. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
- ^ "Cast, director reveal and more: Everything you need to know to keep you all the more excited for 'Darna'". Manila Bulletin. October 20, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
- ^ Cruz, Marinel (August 12, 2022). "Why latest 'Darna' the 'woke version,' according to Jane de Leon and series nemesis Janella Salvador". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ Cardona, Yssa (August 16, 2022). "Jane De Leon Reveals The *Intense* Vocalization Process It Took Her To Perfectly Shout 'Darna!'". COSMO.PH. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ Taculao, Patricia (August 14, 2022). "The right time and role for Jane de Leon". Manila Standard. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ a b Paraiso, Janelle. "Flying High: The Rise Of Jane De Leon As The Iconic Darna". Metro Style. Metro Style. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ a b c Hsia, Heidi. "Jane de Leon donates proceeds of award to charity". yahoo.com. Yahoo Singapore. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ "LOOK: Jane De Leon, a golden goddess at the Red Charity Gala". push.abs-cbn.com. ABS-CBN. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ "Jane De Leon Was A Stunner At The Red Charity Gala 2019". Preview.com. Preview. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ a b "13 times Jane De Leon wore the color of DARNA on her Instagram | ABS-CBN Entertainment". ent.abs-cbn.com. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
- ^ "Jane de Leon fights for her dignity in "Ipaglaban Mo"". ABS-CBN. ABS-CBN Entertainment. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
- ^ Maglaqui, Rhovin. "LOOK: Jane de Leon reunites with 'Halik' co-star Jericho Rosales! | Star Cinema". starcinema.abs-cbn.com. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
- ^ Mahal Mo Pa Rin Ako [Ace]
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "'Darna' star Jane de Leon donates ABS-CBN Ball 2019 prize money to Bantay Bata 163". RAPPLER. September 17, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
- ^ "34th Star Awards for Television nominees bared". PEP.ph. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
- ^ Hernaez, Jeffrey (August 30, 2022). "ABS-CBN, kinilalang TV Station of the Year sa Inding-Indie Excellence Awards 2022; 'TV Patrol' at Jane De Leon, wagi rin". ABS-CBN News.
- ^ "ABS-CBN named Best TV Station of the Year at Inding-Indie Excellence Awards 2022". ABS-CBN Corporate.
- ^ Dumaual, Mario (August 24, 2022). "WATCH: Alexa Miro on her status with Sandro Marcos". ABS-CBN News.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "6th Outstanding Men and Women of the Philippines 2022 – Manila Bulletin". mb.com.ph. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
- ^ "The Manila Times bags Brand of the Year award". The Manila Times. August 29, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
External links
- Jane de Leon at IMDb
- Profile on Star Magic