Liza Soberano is no longer allowing other people to define how far her career can go. In a revealing November 2026 cover story, the Filipino actress reflects on overcoming self-doubt, leaving behind the comfort of Philippine showbiz and building an international career on her own terms.
Speaking with Tatler Asia, Soberano described a personal transformation shaped by more than a decade in the entertainment industry. Once known primarily for her beauty and romantic television roles, she now wants to be recognised for her creative abilities, ambition and willingness to explore opportunities beyond acting.
“I’ve stopped believing that I need anyone else’s permission to pursue the life I want,” she declared, capturing the central message of her latest interview.
The statement reflects a significant shift for an actress who grew up in front of Filipino audiences and became one of the country’s most recognisable television and film stars. Today, she is pursuing projects in Hollywood, music and animation while remaining connected to the Philippines and the culture that shaped her.
From Philippine Showbiz Star to an International Career
Soberano began working in entertainment when she was just 13. Her rise accelerated through popular television productions such as Forevermore, Dolce Amore and Bagani, followed by successful films including My Ex and Whys and Alone/Together.
But behind the popularity was a young performer who struggled with confidence.
In her Tatler interview, Soberano recalled feeling like an outsider in an industry surrounded by people with years of experience and formal training. She said being repeatedly described as “just a pretty face” made it difficult to feel that she deserved her achievements.
She also recalled facing criticism over her Filipino accent, an experience that contributed to her uncertainty about her place in the industry.
Those experiences eventually influenced how she viewed success. Instead of constantly trying to satisfy other people’s expectations, she began to question whether the career path being presented to her was genuinely the one she wanted.
Her decision to pursue opportunities in the United States was therefore about more than reaching Hollywood. It was an attempt to discover what she could accomplish outside the roles and public image that had defined her early career.
Why Liza Soberano Left Her Comfort Zone
Leaving the Philippines meant giving up a level of recognition and professional security that many actors spend years trying to achieve.
Soberano understood that an international career would involve uncertainty, unfamiliar working environments and the possibility of starting again.
She has since explained that the move helped her develop greater independence and confidence in making decisions about her professional future.
Her Hollywood debut came in 2024 through Lisa Frankenstein, directed by Zelda Williams, in which she played Taffy. The film introduced her to a wider international audience and marked an important step in her effort to establish herself outside the Philippine entertainment industry.
Her experience also reflects a wider movement among Filipino performers seeking opportunities in international productions.
WWC ONE MEDIA previously covered Lea Salonga’s historic recognition on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, another major milestone demonstrating the growing international visibility of Filipino entertainment talent.
Liza Soberano Expands Beyond Acting With Music and Film Projects
Soberano’s ambitions are no longer limited to traditional acting roles.
Her latest single, Killshot, offers an early look at Killer Queens, a film concept developed by her team at Funny Face Films. The project centres on beauty queens who are secretly trained assassins, bringing together her interests in music, fashion, film and storytelling.
The concept illustrates her growing interest in participating in the creative process rather than simply accepting roles written for her.
She has described dreaming big as something that requires maturity, discipline and the willingness to continue even when opportunities are uncertain.
That approach is particularly significant for an actress who has spent much of her life being recognised for her appearance. Soberano appears increasingly interested in showing audiences the different creative directions she can pursue.
Her experience also connects with the growing international recognition of Filipino actors and filmmakers. WWC ONE MEDIA previously reported on Ruby Ruiz’s First Light, which was selected as Australia’s official submission for the 2027 Academy Awards in the International Feature Film category.
The selection was not an Oscar nomination, but it demonstrated how Filipino performers can become part of international film projects and awards campaigns.
Forgotten Island Brings Filipino Folklore to a Global Audience
One of Soberano’s most significant projects in 2026 is Forgotten Island, a DreamWorks Animation film rooted in Filipino folklore, mythology and cultural references.
She voices Raissa, one of the story’s central characters, alongside Grammy- and Oscar-winning singer H.E.R., who voices Jo.
The film follows the two best friends after they become stranded on the mythical island of Nakali. Their search for a way home carries an emotional risk: the longer they remain there, the greater the possibility that they will lose their memories of one another.
The cast also includes Filipino and Filipino-American talents such as Lea Salonga, Jo Koy, Manny Jacinto and Dolly de Leon.
In separate interviews with Philstar and ABS-CBN, Soberano discussed the significance of Filipino representation and the personal doubts she experienced while pursuing an international career.
She has said that being part of a production celebrating Filipino culture helped her reconsider what it means to represent her country abroad.
Rather than feeling that she must speak for every Filipino, she has come to see representation as being visible in spaces where people from her community have not always been seen.
That perspective is particularly meaningful for a film introducing Filipino folklore and cultural identity to international audiences.
WWC ONE MEDIA has also followed the growing international presence of Filipino performers, including Dennis Trillo’s film Amir, which secured a distribution agreement with Columbia Pictures.
She Still Feels Deeply Connected to the Philippines
Although Soberano is building her career in the United States, she has made it clear that pursuing international opportunities does not mean abandoning her Filipino identity.
In the Tatler interview, she described how living abroad has helped her appreciate home differently.
The Philippines remains a place where she can reconnect with familiar people, routines and experiences without constantly having to explain herself.
She also spoke about the comfort of returning to Manila for personal care and relaxation after demanding production schedules, long flights and changes in climate.
Soberano mentioned that Belo has been part of her life since she was 14. She appreciates returning to medical professionals familiar with her skin and who can recommend treatments without encouraging unnecessary procedures.
Among the treatments she mentioned were the Belo Genesis Lift, NeuroGlow Facial and AdvaClear for scars. She also expressed her fondness for getting massages in the Philippines.
These personal details offer a glimpse of the balance she is trying to create: pursuing a demanding international career while preserving the familiar experiences that make her feel grounded.
Liza Soberano Is Rethinking Success as She Approaches 30
Perhaps the most revealing part of Soberano’s latest interview is her changing definition of success.
For years, her career was measured through television ratings, box-office results, public recognition and the expectations attached to being a leading actress.
Now, she is placing greater importance on independence, personal fulfilment and the freedom to explore interests that may not fit neatly into one career category.
As she approaches 30, she is also thinking more deliberately about her future beyond professional achievements. She has acknowledged that her ambitions may include building a family and nurturing relationships away from the public spotlight.
She remains ambitious, but she is learning that enjoying life should be just as important as building a successful career.
That outlook represents a departure from the pressure to constantly prove herself. Rather than treating every new opportunity as a test of her worth, she appears more willing to explore, experiment and accept that she does not need to have every part of her future figured out.
A New Chapter Built on Independence, Not Expectations
Soberano’s November 2026 cover story presents an actress who is still evolving, but increasingly confident about the direction she wants to take.
Her journey from Philippine television stardom to international film projects has not been a guaranteed success story. It has involved uncertainty, criticism, difficult decisions and the challenge of rebuilding a professional identity in a different industry.
Yet her latest projects show that she is continuing to expand her creative interests.
From Lisa Frankenstein to Forgotten Island, and from her music to the development of Killer Queens, Soberano is exploring opportunities that allow her to shape more of her own career.
Her message is also relevant to young Filipino artists who hope to work internationally: ambition does not have to mean abandoning where they came from, and success does not need to follow someone else’s definition.
For Soberano, the biggest change may not be the move to Hollywood or the international projects. It is the confidence to make decisions without waiting for approval.
She may not have everything figured out, but she is finally building a life that feels like her own.
