Karylle
Ana Karylle Padilla Tatlonghari-Yuzon, known mononymously as Karylle, is a Filipino singer and actress. Having achieved mainstream success across stage, screen, and music, her accolades include four Awit Awards, an Asian Television Award, two MTV Pilipinas Music Award, a New York Festivals International TV and Film Award, and a Star Award for Television, including nominations from Monte Carlo Festival, Aliw Awards and Golden Screen Awards.
Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, Karylle first ventured into theater musical in 2000 and played several supporting roles in film and television. She rose to stardom after playing Sanggre Alena in the drama fantasy series Encantadia. She reprised her role in the succeeding sequels and crossover such as Etheria, Mulawin: The Movie and Encantadia: Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas. It was followed by the theatrical release of the blockbuster film Moments of Love, which she starred with Iza Calzado and Dingdong Dantes. She returned to stage and appeared in two major productions: Cat in the Hat and West Side Story, garnering praises from the critics. Following her transfer to ABS-CBN, she made several appearances in television shows such as Nasaan Ka Maruja? and Dahil May Isang Ikaw, which earned a nomination at the International Emmy Awards.
In 2010, she played a supporting role in the horror film Dalaw and became one of the mainstay host of the long-running noontime show It's Showtime the following year. She was cast as one of the lead in the Singaporean TV series The Kitchen Musical, earning her a bronze medal for "Best Performance" at the New York Festivals and a "Best Actress" nomination at the Monte Carlo Festival. On screen, she appeared in several international productions such as Point of Entry and P.I., as well as in the fantasy film Mystified, which earned a nomination at the Asian Academy Creative Awards. On theaters, she appeared in more stage productions in the following years including Rodgers and Rama Hari, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, Carousel and The Sound of Music among others.
As a recording artist, Karylle has released six studio albums since 2001. According to PARI, her most successful releases include the platinum-sellers Time for Letting Go, Roadtrip, and the gold-certified albums Time to Shine and K. The song she co-wrote with Jerome Hughes, Pabigyan Ng Puso, won "Best Original Song" at the 30th Metro Manila Film Festival for the movie Mano Po III: My Love. Her musical work have earned her nominations from Asian Television Awards, Awit Awards and Star Awards for Music. Philanthropically, she has been active in supporting the Philippine Animal Welfare Society and charity organizations like White Cross Orphanage and ChildHaus.
Early life and education
Ana Karylle Padilla Tatlonghari was born on March 22, 1981, in Manila to Zsa Zsa Padilla, a singer-actress and Dr. Modesto Tatlonghari. She is the granddaughter of boxing referee Carlos Padilla Jr. Her parents separated when she was six years old. Karylle has two half-sisters Nicole and Zia Quizon from her mother's relationship to actor and comedian Dolphy.Karylle completed her elementary and secondary education, notably in O.B. Montessori Center – Greenhills during grade school, and Saint Pedro Poveda College where she finished high school with a Service Medal for extra-curricular and volunteer works. She began taking formal ballet lessons at the age of three and continued until she was fifteen. In college, Karylle took up BS Management Major in Communications Technology Management at the Ateneo de Manila University, where she made the Dean's list. She graduated in 2002.
Acting career
2000–2004: Early works
In 2000, Karylle made her acting debut in the stage musical Little Mermaid, in which she played Princess Sapphire. Her performance in the Trumpets production is known to have been her breakthrough in show business.In 2001, Karylle began appearing on television. She became a co-host and performer in GMA Network's variety show SOP.
From 2002 to 2004, Karylle took on a series of supporting roles in both films and television series. Her film debut was in Ang Agimat: Anting-anting ni Lolo, an official entry for the 28th Metro Manila Film Festival. In television, she made her first appearance in the drama series Twin Hearts, portraying the character Iris. Initially scheduled for only a week, the show's producers were impressed with the chemistry between Karylle and actor Dingdong Dantes, leading them to ask her to take on another character, Jade. The success of Twin Hearts paved the way for further on-screen collaborations between Karylle and Dantes in the subsequent years, starting with the fourth season of the romantic anthology series Love to Love. In this series, she portrayed Cathy Ruiz, an Ilonggo from Guimaras, earning her a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress at the 2nd Golden Screen TV Awards. Karylle also had roles in two Mano Po films: Mano Po 2: My Home in 2003 and Mano Po III: My Love in 2004.
2005–2009: ''Encantandia'' and move to ABS-CBN
In 2005, she appeared in the horror film Bahay ni Lola 2; her first leading role in a film. She then starred in the fantasy drama series Enacantadia as Sang'gre Alena, alongside Iza Calzado, Dingdong Dantes, Sunshine Dizon, Jennylyn Mercado, and Diana Zubiri. Encantandia was a groundbreaking success, spawning a multimedia franchise. Karylle reprised her role in the sequel series Etheria and the crossover film Mulawin: The Movie, both released later in the year.In 2006, Karylle had two major projects: Encantadia: Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas, which was the third installment to the Encantadia franchise; and the romance film Moments of Love, which became a box office hit.
In 2007, Karylle starred in two independent films: Ligaw Liham and Pi7ong Tagpo. She also served as producer for the former, which was an official entry for the 3rd Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival. During the year, Karylle also returned to the stage and starred as Cat in the Hat in the Atlantis Production of Seussical.
In 2008, Karylle appeared as host in the reality show Pinoy Idol Extra, alongside Rhian Ramos. She then played the female lead role of Maria on the Stages production of the popular musical West Side Story, alternating with Joanna Ampil. This also marked her first of many on-stage and on-screen collaborations with Christian Bautista, who stars as Tony. Her performance on West Side Story was acclaimed by critics, garnering her a nomination for Best Stage Actress at the 22nd Aliw Awards. During the last quarter of the year, Karylle made big career changes. She changed her management from Genesis to Stages, her recording company from Universal Records to PolyEast Records, and transferred from GMA to its rival station ABS-CBN. She signed her ABS-CBN contract shortly after an appearance in the Oscar De La Hoya vs. Manny Pacquiao boxing match in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she sang the Philippine national anthem. Her first appearance as a Kapamilya was in the variety show ASAP.
In 2009, after guest appearances in the musical drama anthology Your Song, and the comedy drama I Love Betty La Fea, Karylle starred in Mars Ravelo's Nasaan Ka Maruja? alongside Kristine Hermosa and Derek Ramsay. She would then be a part of the main cast of the International Emmy-nominated drama series, Dahil May Isang Ikaw. Karylle also played the lead role in the independent drama film Litsonero, opposite Paolo Contis.
2010–present: International breakthrough & ''It's Showtime''
In 2010, Karylle joined Bangs Garcia, Rayver Cruz, and Sid Lucero in Gilda Olvidado's Magkano ang Iyong Dangal?. Later that year, she started appearing as a judge on the noontime variety show Showtime. In December, Karylle had a supporting role in the horror film Dalaw, starring Kris Aquino. The film was a box office success and became one of the highest-grossing entries at the 36th Metro Manila Film Festival.In 2011, Karylle officially became a regular host for Showtime, joining Kim Atienza, Teddy Corpuz, Anne Curtis, Vice Ganda, Jugs Jugueta, Vhong Navarro, and fellow newcomer Billy Crawford. The group of hosts was nominated for Best Talent Search Program Host at the 25th PMPC Star Awards for Television. During the year, Karylle also achieved international recognition for her starring role in the acclaimed Singaporean musical drama The Kitchen Musical, which aired across twelve countries via AXN. The series was highly successful, with the cast winning the bronze medal for Best Performance at the New York Festivals TV & Film Awards. Karylle's role as Maddie Avilon earned her a nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival's Golden Nymph Awards held in Monaco. Furthermore, she and co-star Christian Bautista received an International Achievement Award at the 24th Awit Awards for their work in the series.
In 2012, Karylle was featured as a guest star in the third season of the Singaporean action drama Point of Entry, her second international project. Later that year, Karylle also starred with her frequent collaborator Christian Bautista in a critically acclaimed staging of Rama, Hari at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. At the 26th PMPC Star Awards for Television, Karylle and her It's Showtime co-hosts won the award for Best Reality and Game Show Host.
In 2013, Karylle top billed a new version of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila. At the end of the year, Karylle received nominations for her hosting on It's Showtime: Outstanding Female Host in a Musical or Variety Program at the 4th Golden Screen TV Awards, and Best Female TV Host at the 27th PMPC Star Awards for Television.
From 2014 to 2016, Karylle's continued work as host on It's Showtime earned her a second and third nomination for Outstanding Female Host in a Musical or Variety Program at the 5th and 6th Golden Screen TV Awards, respectively. She also received her second nomination for Best Female TV Host at the 30th PMPC Star Awards for Television.
In 2017, Karylle starred in the Singaporean crime thriller P.I..
In 2018, Karylle made a surprise cameo appearance in the finale of the highly rated and acclaimed drama Wildflower. The episode trended on social media, with many viewers finding Karylle's casting inspired. Karylle also appeared as guest presenter on the television news broadcasting show TV Patrol.
In 2019, Karylle produced and starred in the fantasy film Mystified, distributed by Iflix. It was the first project released under Sanggre Productions, Inc., a production company founded by Karylle and her former Encantandia co-stars and off-screen friends Iza Calzado, Sunshine Dizon, Diana Zubiri, along with director Mark A. Reyes. The film was a success, earning four nominations at the 24th Asian Television Awards, winning one for Best Single Drama or Telemovie. The film was also nominated for Best Visual or Special FX in TV Series or Feature Film at the 2nd Asian Academy Creative Awards, after being announced as the national winner.
In 2021, Karylle appeared in the romantic comedy television miniseries B&B: The Story of the Battle of Brody & Brandy, starring Iza Calzado and Ian Veneracion. She also served as producer for the show.
In 2022, Karylle top billed the Repertory Philippines production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical Carousel, opposite Gian Magdangal. For her performance as Julie Jordan, Karylle received several acting nominations: Female Lead Performance in a Musical at the 13th Gawad Buhay Awards, Best Lead Actress in a Musical at the 36th Aliw Awards, and Best Performer in a Musical at the 2023 BroadwayWorld Philippines Awards.
In 2023, Karylle primarily focused on theater and appeared in four stage productions. She played the role of Baroness Elsa von Schraeder in the Manila run of the international tour of the Broadway International Group and Broadway Asia co-production of The Sound of Music. She then participated in the musical concert Contra Mundum: Ang All-star Concert ng Ang Larawan held at the Manila Metropolitan Theater; starred in the musical play Isang Gabi ng Sarsuwela; and reprised her role as Sita in a restaging of the rock opera ballet Rama, Hari. At the end of the year, Karylle also appeared in two comedy films: Ma'am Chief: Shakedown in Seoul and Becky and Badette.
In 2024, Karylle headlined the Manila staging of the Broadway musical Little Shop of Horrors, opposite Nyoy Volante and alternating with Sue Ramirez. For her performance as Audrey, she won Best Lead Actress in a Musical at the 37th Aliw Awards.
In 2025, Karylle appeared as former First Lady of the Philippines, Aurora Quezon in the biopic Quezon, starring Jericho Rosales.
Karylle will next star in an eight-part unscripted reality series Manila Matriarchs.