Jane de Leon is a Filipino actress, model, dancer, and singer who rose to fame after being chosen as the new Darna, the iconic Pinay superheroine. But before she landed this coveted role, Jane had gone through a lot of challenges and changes in her life and career. Here is a look at Jane de Leon before and after she became the next-generation Darna.
Early Life and Family
Jane Florence Benitez De Leon was born on November 22, 1998, in San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines, to Maricor Benitez-De-Leon, a housewife, and Ruel Florencio de Leon, a businessman. She is the youngest in the family with an older brother named Francis. She also has four half-siblings from her father’s previous relationships: Carol, Kirox, Karen, and Ned.
Jane grew up with strict parents, especially her father, who did not approve of her passion for acting. She revealed in a YouTube vlog that she would often sneak out at night with her mother to go to Metro Manila for various auditions. She also joined beauty pageants and modeling competitions to pursue her dreams.
Jane’s father passed away in 2016 due to lung cancer, which motivated her to work harder in show business. She paid tribute to her dad on Father’s Day 2021, saying that she misses him a lot and wishes he could be with her in her journey.
Career Beginnings and Breakthrough
Jane started her career as an actress signed under GMA Artists Agency from 2013 to 2015, but she did not get any projects. In 2015, she was discovered by Tyronne Escalante, the founder of Tyronne Escalante Artist Management (TEAM), who brought her to Star Magic, the talent-management arm of ABS-CBN.
She landed supporting roles in various TV shows and movies, such as La Luna Sangre, Wansapanataym, Ipaglaban Mo, Ex with Benefits, and Walwal. She also became a member of the girl group Girltrends, who performed as dancers on the noontime show It’s Showtime.
Jane’s breakthrough role was in the hit TV series Halik, where she played Maggie Bartolome, the best friend of Yen Santos’s character. Her performance earned her positive reviews and recognition from the viewers and critics.
Becoming the New Darna
In 2019, Jane made headlines when she was announced as the new Darna, replacing Liza Soberano, who backed out of the project due to a finger injury. Jane was chosen among hundreds of auditionees, and she impressed the producers with her acting skills and physical attributes.
Jane underwent rigorous training and preparation for the role, which required her to do stunts and fight scenes. She also had to change her diet and lifestyle to achieve the physique and stamina of a superhero.
However, the production of the Darna movie was delayed and eventually canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the shutdown of ABS-CBN. Jane expressed her disappointment and sadness over the cancellation, but she also thanked the fans and the staff for their support and hard work.
In 2021, it was announced that Darna will be revived as a TV series, titled Mars Ravelo’s Darna: The TV Series, and Jane will still play the lead role. The series is set to premiere in 2022 on TV5, A2Z, and Kapamilya Channel.
Beauty and Fashion Evolution
Aside from her acting career, Jane also gained attention for her beauty and fashion evolution. She transformed from a simple and sweet girl to a stunning and stylish woman.
Jane has experimented with different hairstyles and colors, from long and wavy to short and sleek, from black to brown to blonde. She has also enhanced her facial features with makeup and skincare, highlighting her expressive eyes and full lips.
Jane has also developed her fashion sense, wearing chic and trendy outfits that suit her personality and body type. She has rocked casual, formal, and glamorous looks, showing her versatility and confidence.
Jane de Leon before and after becoming the new Darna is truly an inspiring story of a young woman who pursued her dreams and overcame the challenges along the way. She is not only a talented and beautiful actress, but also a role model and a hero to many Filipinos.