Lance Joseph Martinez

Janella Salvador Opens Up About Balancing Her Passions for Singing and Acting

Article (news)

<p>In showbiz, one of the clear signs of a celebrity’s versatility is when they not only headline a series or a movie but also lend their voice to its official soundtrack—a feat that perfectly defines <strong>Janella Salvador</strong>’s<strong></strong> rise to stardom.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758703023262starmagicphils_1758530840_3727149287084154515_218607907 (1).jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @starmagicphils</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Apart from her supporting stint in the hit Kapamilya morning series <em><strong>Be Careful with My Heart</strong></em>, Janella cemented her name in the industry as <strong></strong>Sophie Z. Cepeda<strong></strong> in the youth-oriented drama <em><strong>Oh My G!</strong></em>, her first-ever lead role on television.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="925" height="525" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JFb1ne3M4Q8?si=3fxcWS1JlSnq3YlS" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>Born to acclaimed <em>West End</em> <strong></strong>musical actress <strong>Jenine Desiderio</strong> a<strong></strong>nd <strong></strong>Awit Award-winning<strong> </strong>songwriter<strong></strong> <strong>Juan Miguel Salvador</strong>, Janella naturally showcased her multi-talented artistry in the series, performing its official theme song—her rendition of “<strong>I Can</strong>.”</p><p>Her career further soared when she top-billed <strong><em>Born For You</em></strong>, where she once again flexed her vocal prowess by singing the series’ official soundtrack alongside leading man <strong>Elmo Magalona</strong>.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="925" height="525" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TtGL1zwYncc?si=JngSfoO6cEnWOxPq" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><p>These back-to-back milestones proved Janella’s prowess not only in acting but also in music, leading to another major achievement—becoming a <strong>Disney</strong> singer when she recorded the Philippine-exclusive version of <strong><em>Moana</em></strong><em></em><em>’s</em><em></em><strong><em></em></strong> anthem, “<strong>How Far I’ll Go</strong>.”</p><p>Her versatility soon translated into accolades, winning <strong>Best New Female Recording Artist of the Year </strong>at the <strong>PMPC Star Awards for Music </strong>and <strong>New Movie Actress of the Year</strong> at the <strong>P</strong><strong>MPC Star Awards for Movies</strong>—both in 2016.</p><p>Years later, Janella continues to embody that same versatility. When asked to choose between singing and acting, she admitted that it was difficult to pick.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758703143542starmagicphils_1758530840_3727149287142873188_218607907.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @starmagicphils</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>“I really enjoy both, <em>talaga</em>. Singing, I always say that singing is my first love. Acting, I learned to fall in love with it, <em>talaga</em>. <em>Pero recently</em>, I’ve been doing—I want to say I’ve been doing more—No, I’ve been doing both,” she said during <strong>Star Magic’s Spotlight Presscon </strong>on Monday.</p><p>The actress-singer shared that she’s currently deep into her craft, working on two acting projects—including her highly anticipated queer film <strong><em>Open Endings</em></strong>, an official entry to the <strong>2025 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival</strong><em></em>.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DOI6_X0AeV0/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A1816700%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="926" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>“Like I said, you guys see—like you guys can see, I’m working on two projects, done <em>n</em><em>aman na ako sa</em><em></em><strong><em><strong></strong></em></strong> <em>Open Endings, </em><em>pero</em> I’m working on two acting projects. So, very, very busy lately,” she added.</p><p>As for music, Janella revealed she’s busy crafting a new album she hopes to release soon.</p><p>“I’m working on an album. It’s been a long process. <em>Hindi siya—medyo tumatagal lang, pero binubuo ko siya, ‘yung </em>album,” she revealed.</p><p>Determined to balance both crafts, she admitted that while she initially planned to focus on them separately, she now finds herself juggling both at the same time.</p><p>“And hopefully, <em>m</em><em>agawa ko pa rin pareho ng maayos. Sabi ko kasi ayokong pagsabayin talaga pero nangyayari na rin siya. So, ayun, sabay ko siya ginagawa</em>,” she stressed.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758703288184starmagicphils_1758530840_3727149287084155759_218607907.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @starmagicphils</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Before wrapping up the interview, Janella also shared the kind of project she wants to take on next.</p><p>“<em>Gusto ko rin siguro,</em> I’ve already said this, <em>pero</em> I wanna star in a period film. <em>Parang gusto ko ng </em>period <em>na</em> role. I think it would be interesting,” she revealed.</p><p>She likewise mentioned the stars she hopes to work with again, naming <strong>Jodi Sta. Maria</strong> and <strong>Julia Barretto</strong>.</p><p>“<em>Gusto ko ulit makatrabaho</em> either Miss Jodi Sta. Maria in a more mature project, <em>siguro</em>, it would be interesting, or one of the ‘It Girls,’ <em>si</em> Julia, <em>siguro, kasi nagka-work na kami ni </em>Julia<em> </em>before<em> sa</em> <em>MMK</em>, <em>pero </em>never<em> kami nagkaroon ng</em> project together. So yeah, it would be interesting,” she concluded.</p><div><br/></div><p>Lead photo from <strong>@starmagicphils</strong></p>

<p>In showbiz, one of the clear signs of a celebrity’s versatility is when they not only headline a series but also lend their voice to its official soundtrack—a feat that perfectly defines Janella Salvador’s rise to stardom.</p>

In showbiz, one of the clear signs of a celebrity’s versatility is when they not only headline a series but also lend their voice to its official soundtrack—a feat that perfectly defines Janella Salvador’s rise to stardom.