Whether we’re aware or not, Pinoy invasion is everywhere, even in the Hollywood shows we love watching! With millions of Filipinos scattered all over the globe, it’s no surprising then that our talented heritage has reached the shiny tinseltown that is Hollywood. While we know and recognize some of our very own such as Apl de Ap, Rob Schneider, Charice, and Jessica Sanchez, there are those lovely faces we see onscreen that we had no idea were Pinoy! Here are 15 Hollywood celebrities you probably didn’t know had Pinoy blood.
15 Hollywood Celebrities You Didn’t Know Had Pinoy Blood
15. Lalaine
Who would have known that Lizzie McGuire’s sassy Latina best friend Miranda, was actually full Filipino in real life? Lalaine Vergara Paras, or Lalaine has roots in Batangas and Pampanga, thanks to her parents. After the hugely successful Lizzie McGuire ended on Disney Channel in 2004, Lalaine worked on a solo album, appeared on GMA 7’s SOP in the Philippines, and had her own show on Lifestyle Asia called Flipside, documenting her adventures in the Philippines. You may also recall her on Easy A with a cameo role announcing that Brandon was gay in the end. Go Lalaine!
14. Roshon Fegan
Did you know that Anna Maria Perez de Tagle was not the only Pinoy on Camp Rock? The talented dancer Roshon Fegan’s mom is Filipino! After Camp Rock, he also starred in the Disney Channel show Shake It Up! as Ty Blue. These days, he’s styled himself as a singer RO SHON, under his own label 3inaRo Entertainment.
13. Shay Mitchell
Emily Fields on Pretty Little Liars is half Canadian, half Filipino! Shay Mitchell’s mom, Precious Garcia, is a Filipina hailing from Pampanga who left for Canada at 19. We love how her Pinay-ness shows through her features! It’s no wonder that she was voted by Esquire Philippines as their sexiest woman alive in 2014… she’s so statuesque!
12. Cassie Ventura
Anyone remember the single Me & U? Cassie, or Cassie Ventura has a Filipino dad, apart from being of African American, West Indian, and Mexican descent from her mother. She’s also signed with Wilhelmina Models, and is known for dating P. Diddy.
11. Reggie Lee
Reggie Lee, real name Reggie Valdez, was born in Quezon City before moving to the United States when he was five years old. He had to change his last name professionally because apparently, he was being called for Hispanic roles, when he was the furthest thing from being Latino! You may recognize him as William Kim from Prison Break, and Sergeant Wu on Grimm.
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