5 celebs you didn’t know were Filipino, from Bruno Mars to Olivia Rodrigo

Sep 9 , 2024

Olivia Rodrigo, Vanessa Hudgens and Bruno Mars are among the celebrities you may not have known are of Filipino descent. Photos: AFP; @vanessahudgens, @brunomars/Instagram

Rodrigo is at home with Filipino traditions and food, while Vanessa Hudgens travelled to the Philippines for the first time last year

A growing awareness in the West of the importance of cultural representation is finally resulting in greater diversity in the entertainment industry. In May, New York-based Average Socialite hosted its second Annual Filipino Forces Feast & Fiesta in LA, in honour of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. In attendance were E! News host Erin Lim, YouTuber Nava Rose and Dancing with the Stars winner Cheryl Burke.

For a long time, aspiring actors might have chosen to downplay their racial background in an attempt to blend in and land more mainstream roles, rather than risk being typecast.

With the rise of social media and shift in the culture, individuals from all backgrounds have been given a platform – something that rings true beyond the entertainment industry. Among these, a growing number of talents with Filipino backgrounds are making their mark in their respective creative industries. Here, we look at artists, actors and creatives representing their Filipino heritage in mainstream pop culture.

1. Bruno Mars

The limited edition Bruno Mars Stratocaster, with the artist who inspired it, in November 2023. Photo: @brunomars/Instagram

A staple in the music industry for a decade and a half now, Emmy-winning singer and songwriter Bruno Mars has made a name for himself with his catchy pop melodies, infused with soulful R&B and 70s-inspired funk.

Mars was born in Hawaii in 1985 to a Filipina mother and Puerto Rican-Jewish father. Having begun his career in the 2000s writing songs for other artists, Mars hit the charts in his own right in 2010 with tracks including “The Lazy Song”, “Grenade” and “Marry You”. He also produced ballads such as 2011’s “It Will Rain”, part of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 film soundtrack.

Bruno Mars performing at the 2012 Victoria’s Secret fashion show in New York. Photo: Invision/AP

Mars also tapped Zendaya to star in the music video for the song “Versace on the Floor”. The sultry 2016 hit remains one of his biggest successes. That same year, he performed at the Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show alongside Beyoncé, Coldplay and Mark Ronson.

2. Vanessa Hudgens

High School Musical’s Vanessa Hudgens was raised by her single mother, Gina Guangco, who hails from the Philippine island of Mindanao. Photo: @vanessahudgens/Instagram

In March last year, Vanessa Hudgens made her first trip to the Philippines, where her mother is from, to explore her heritage in a travel documentary; her father is of mostly English descent. The actress shot to fame as Gabriella Montez, one of the leads in the hit 2000s High School Musical film series.

Vanessa Hudgens with her husband, professional baseball player Cole Tucker. Photo: @vanessahudgens/Instagram