Growing up as a shy kid, Janella Salvador didn’t see herself living a life on stage and in front of the cameras although she was born passionate about music, a quality she certainly got from her mom Jenine Desiderio, and dad Juan Miguel Salvador. 

But the universe came knocking.  Janella, who used to tag along with her mom to TV and movie sets, shot to fame after she was discovered by Johnny Manahan and cast in the iconic daytime series “Be Careful With My Heart” where she played the kikay daughter Nikki, “Nu’ng nakuha ko ‘yung role na ‘yun, I really didn’t know what I was doing. It was so unexpected.” 

The showbiz royalty gracefully blossomed into a versatile and empowered artist, conquering the entertainment world with her vocals and wide range of acting skills. Falling even more in love with her craft, she promises to stay as long as she can. Asked the most rewarding thing about being an actress, she muses, “I think it’s being able to do what I love most and at the same time affecting people’s lives. Sometimes, ang artists hindi nabibigyan ng credit kasi feeling nila it’s just glamour and all that stuff. Pero, honestly, I see how it affects people. It makes some people happy.”

She doesn’t have a specific dream role in mind. But her top requirement in accepting a project is that the role must be remarkable and challenging such as Valentina in “Mars Ravelo’s Darna.” Owning up to the pressure, she fully committed herself to building Valentina’s character to make it her own, and make the “Darna” fans happy.  When it comes to on-screen partners, Janella says that she’s open to working with anyone. 

Recently, she’s pegged with villain roles, but did you know that, in real life, she also has unlikely fears such as butterflies? “Hindi ko siya kaya ‘pag dumapo siya sa akin, feeling ko mahihimatay ako,” she reveals. She’s also scared of rats and the notorious ‘ipis’ or cockroaches. She’s not afraid of snakes, though. She used to have two pet snakes but unfortunately lost the other. 

Janella also offers updates about her motherhood journey, gushing about her son, Jude, who inspires her to work hard. 

To cap it off, she reflects about her relationship with Star Magic, “I’ve been with them for ten years and I can say na ramdam mo ‘yung pagmamahal, ‘yung pag-alaga nila sa’yo. They really want the best for you.” The authentic and uplifting kind of love – it’s the best thing about being part of her Star Magic family. 

Check out this “Tatak Star Magic Celebrity Conversations” episode with Kiara Takahashi.