Sarah Asher Tua Geronimo (/hɛˈrɒnɪmoʊ/ herr-ON-ih-moh; born July 25, 1988) is a Filipino singer and actress. Known for her musical versatility and performances, she is a recipient of numerous accolades, including a Billboard Women in Music Award, an Mnet Asian Music Award, an MTV Europe Music Award, a Classic Rock Roll of Honour Award, and a World Music Award.
Sarah Geronimo | |
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Born | Sarah Asher Tua Geronimo July 25, 1988 |
Occupations |
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Years active | 1992–present |
Works | |
Spouse | |
Awards | Full list |
Musical career | |
Genres | |
Instrument(s) | Vocals |
Labels | Viva |
Website | www |
Signature | |
Geronimo first gained recognition after winning the television talent show Star for a Night. She signed a recording contract with Viva Records and released her debut album Popstar: A Dream Come True in 2003; her next releases include Sweet Sixteen (2004) and Becoming (2006). She recorded covers on Music and Me (2009) and One Heart (2011). Geronimo produced her tenth studio album Expressions, which contained the lead single "Ikot-Ikot". Her twelfth studio album, The Great Unknown, was supported by the lead single "Tala", which sparked a trend between 2019 and 2020.
Geronimo played leading roles in the film A Very Special Love (2008) and its sequels You Changed My Life (2009) and It Takes a Man and a Woman (2013), and received the Box Office Entertainment Awards for Box Office Queen for the films. Her performance as an elderly woman who regained her youth in the film Miss Granny (2018) garnered her a Star Award for Best Actress. She also starred in the television series Sarah the Teen Princess (2004), Bituing Walang Ningning (2006), and Pangarap na Bituin (2007). Geronimo expanded her career into reality television talent shows as a presenter of the talent competition show Little Big Star (2005–2007) and as a coach on The Voice of the Philippines (2013–2015) and its spin-offs The Voice Kids (2014–2015, 2019) and The Voice Teens (2017, 2020).
Sarah Asher Tua Geronimo[1] was born on July 25, 1988,[2] the third of four children of Divina (née Tua)[3] and Delfin Geronimo.[4] She began singing at age two;[5] during her childhood, she performed in various singing competitions.[6] At age four, she began auditioning for television programs.[5] She then became part of the youth-oriented series Penpen de Sarapen, Ang TV, and NEXT.[5][7] In 1995, she appeared in the film Sarah... Ang Munting Prinsesa as a background actor, playing a friend of Camille Prats's character.[6] That same year, she performed for Pope John Paul II during the World Youth Day in the Philippines.[5]
In 2002, Geronimo competed in the reality television singing contest Star for a Night, based on the British talent show of the same name.[7][8] She won the competition on March 1, 2003, performing a cover of Celine Dion's "To Love You More".[9][10] After her win, she was signed to a record deal with Viva Records.[5]
Geronimo released her debut studio album Popstar: A Dream Come True in 2003, which included the tracks "Sa Iyo", written by Jun Murillo, [11] "Forever's Not Enough",[12] written by Vehnee Saturno, and "Narito" and "If Only", both written by Ogie Alcasid, as well as a cover of Dion's "To Love You More".[12][13] The album has sold over 300,000 units in the Philippines,[14] and was certified 5x platinum.[15] That same year, she made her film debut in the film Filipinas, where she also recorded the song "Paano Kita Mapasasalamatan?" for the film's soundtrack.[16] She also starred in the film Captain Barbell, based on the superhero of the same name, in a supporting role.[17][18]
In 2004, Geronimo released her second album Sweet Sixteen, which was certified 2x platinum. The album included a cover of Foreigner's "I Want to Know What Love Is"[15] and the lead single, "How Could You Say You Love Me".[19] That July, she, Erik Santos, and Rachelle Ann Go co-headlined the concert titled Night of the Champions at the Araneta Coliseum,[20] which won the Best Major Concert Collaboration at the 2005 Aliw Awards.[21] Her next film appearance was in the film Annie B.[22][23] That same year, she signed a network deal with ABS-CBN,[24] where she starred in her first television role on Sarah the Teen Princess,[25] and began presenting the musical variety show ASAP.[26] Geronimo's final film appearance that year was in the film Lastikman: Unang Banat, based on Mars Ravelo's comics superhero Lastikman, co-starring alongside Mark Bautista.[19] She also performed the Philippine National Anthem during the second inauguration of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on June 30, 2004.[27]
In 2005, Geronimo joined the cast of the teen-oriented television program SCQ Reload: Kilig Ako and presented the singing competition shows Search for the Star in a Million and Little Big Star.[28][25] Later that year, she staged her first major solo concert at Araneta Coliseum entitled The Other Side.[6][15]
In July 2006, Geronimo released her third studio album, Becoming, produced by Carlo Nasi and Christian De Walden.[29] Nestor Torre of the Philippine Daily Inquirer described the album as "her transition from teen icon to young adult".[30] It included the single "I Still Believe in Loving You", which was written by Jimmy Borja.[31] At the Manny Pacquiao vs. Erik Morales boxing match on November 18, 2006, Geronimo sang the Philippine National Anthem.[32] Geronimo starred in the prime time soap opera Bituing Walang Ningning, a remake of the 1985 film of the same name.[10] She also starred in an episode of weekly drama anthology series Maalaala Mo Kaya, which marked the first of her collaborations with actor John Lloyd Cruz.[25] Geronimo was supposed to star in a remake of Dear Heart,[33] but the project was shelved.[34]
In 2007, Geronimo staged her second major solo concert entitled "In Motion" at the Araneta Coliseum.[35] She also staged concerts in the United States.[36] That same year, she released her fourth studio album Taking Flight, which contained the tracks "I'll Be Alright", "I'll Be Here", and "Ikaw", which was named the Song of the Year at the Myx Music Awards 2008.[37][38][39] She also starred alongside Maja Salvador and Rica Peralejo in ABS-CBN's weekly drama series Pangarap na Bituin, playing a singer who was orphaned during her childhood after her parents died following to the eruption of Mayon Volcano.[40]
In 2008, Geronimo starred in a lead role in Cathy Garcia-Molina's A Very Special Love, opposite John Lloyd Cruz.[41] She portrayed the role of Laida Magtalas, a young woman who applies for a job in a publishing company owned by businessman Miggy Montenegro (Cruz).[42] When asked about her role, Geronimo said she was shy at first when working with Cruz but was okay afterwards.[41] Entertainment critic Karen Caliwara described Geronimo's character as a funny and charming lady who fell in love with a man without overreacting and trying hard.[43] The film was a commercial success, grossing ₱179 million (US$3.2 million) at the box office.[44] For her performance, Geronimo won the Box Office Entertainment Award for Box Office Queen.[45] Geronimo also worked again with De Walden for her fifth studio album, Just Me, which contains 16 tracks, including a duet titled "I'll Be There" with Howie Dorough of the Backstreet Boys.[46] That November, she embarked on The Next One concert at the Araneta Coliseum.[47]
In February 2009, Geronimo worked again with Cruz and Garcia-Molina in You Changed My Life, reprising the role of Laida Magtalas.[48][49] It portrayed them as a couple facing trials and hardships in their relationship as they pursue career opportunities.[44] The film raked in ₱209 million (US$3.7 million) at the box office,[44] and Geronimo was consequently crowned Box Office Queen at the Box Office Entertainment Awards for the second time.[50] That same year, she embarked on the U.S. leg of The Next One.[51] Additionally, she restaged her The Next One concert in the Philippines and headlined another concert titled The Record Breaker.[52][53] Geronimo won the Star Award for Female Pop Artist in 2009 for her compilation album OPM.[54] In 2009, she released two albums: her Christmas album Your Christmas Girl,[53] and her sixth studio album Music and Me. The latter featured covers of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) and international singles,[55] The album included some songs from film soundtracks, as well as a cover of Jose Mari Chan and Regine Velasquez's "Please Be Careful with My Heart," a duet with Christian Bautista, who released it on his cover album Romance Revisited: The Love Songs of Jose Mari Chan.[56] For the album, Geronimo won the Star Award for Best Female Recording Artist.[57]
In 2010, although Geronimo did not release any music material, she starred in the musical drama series 1DOL, collaborating with Sam Milby and Coco Martin.[58] That same year, she starred alongside Judy Ann Santos in the film Hating Kapatid.[59] Geronimo portrayed the role of a younger sister to Santos's character, who could barely communicate when their parents were working in Libya.[60] She also recorded a cover of "Love Will Keep Us Together", written by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield, for the film's soundtrack.[61]
In 2011, she collaborated with Martin Nievera in a Valentine's Day concert titled "What Love Is" at the Araneta Coliseum.[62] That same year, she starred alongside Gerald Anderson in the film Catch Me, I'm in Love, portraying a social worker in a non-profit organization.[63] Critic Nica Tomines remarked: "Sarah effortlessly conveys the emotions of a girl who falls in love for the first time, and she falls real hard."[63] Her subsequent film appearance that year was in Won't Last A Day Without You, where she also co-starred with Anderson, portraying a radio DJ.[64][65] She also debuted her eighth studio album, One Heart, in May of that year. The album features a mix of original compositions and covers of OPM songs, such as "Sino Nga Ba Siya" and "Kung Siya ang Mahal".[66][67]
In 2012, she starred in the musical television show Sarah G. Live.[10][25] That July, she headlined a concert titled 24/SG at the Araneta Coliseum,[68] which won the for the Best Major Concert by a Female Artist at the 25th Aliw Awards.[69]Additionally, she was awarded the Star Award for Female Concert Performer of the Year and the Best Asian Artist at the Mnet Asian Music Awards.[70][71]
In 2013, Geronimo reunited with Cruz and Garcia-Molina in the film It Takes a Man and a Woman,[72] which featured Laida and Miggy, who after they ended their relationship, working together again to save a publishing company.[44] The film grossed ₱405 million (US$7.2 million) in the box office, making it her biggest commercial success to date.[44] Geronimo was also named Box Office Queen for the third time in her career,[73] and won the Golden Screen Award for Best Actress.[74] That same year, she also served as a coach on The Voice franchise series The Voice of the Philippines.[75] That same year, she released her album titled Expressions, which was supported by the lead single "Ikot-Ikot". Geronimo also produced the album, and wrote the track "Make Me Yours".[76] She also headlined a concert titled Perfect 10. Originally scheduled as a one-night concert at the Araneta Coliseum, another show was added at the Mall of Asia Arena.[77][78]
In 2014, Geronimo released her eleventh studio album titled Perfectly Imperfect, supported by the lead single "Kilometro".[79][80] That same year, she starred in the film Maybe This Time, which reunited her with Coco Martin. Geronimo and Martin portrayed the roles of polar opposites who fell in love with each other.[81] She also returned to television as a coach on The Voice Kids.[82]
In 2015, Geronimo co-starred alongside Piolo Pascual in the film The Breakup Playlist,[83] and contributed to the soundtrack of the film Felix Manalo.[84] She also returned as a coach for the second season of The Voice Kids.[85] Later that year, she released her studio album The Great Unknown, which included the tracks "Tala" and "Kaibigan Mo", the latter of which she collaborated with Yeng Constantino, who wrote the song.[86] In support of the album, Geronimo staged a concert on November 29, 2016 at the Kia Theatre (later New Frontier Theater).[87] That December, Geronimo staged a concert titled From the Top at the Araneta Coliseum.[88]
In 2017, Geronimo returned to television as a coach on The Voice Teens.[89] That same year, she starred in Theodore Boborol's Finally Found Someone, which reunited her with John Lloyd Cruz. Geronimo portrayed the role of a preschool teacher who teams up with a practitioner (Cruz).[90] A commercial success, the film grossed ₱316.5 million (US$5.7 million) at the box office.[44]
In 2018, Geronimo announced that she had begun production of a new studio album titled This 15 Me.[91][92] That same year, she also headlined its accompanying concert at the Araneta Coliseum.[93] Geronimo's next film was Miss Granny, which is based on the 2014 South Korean film of the same name, where she played an elderly woman who was transformed into a young lady after a visit to a mysterious photo studio.[94][95] She also released the songs "Kiss Me, Kiss Me" and "Isa Pang Araw" for the film's soundtrack,[96] which won the Best Performance by a Female Recording Artist and Best Song Written for Movie, TV, or Stage Play at the 2019 Awit Awards.[97] Geronimo was subsequently awarded the Star Award for Best Movie Actress.[98] Baby Gil of The Philippine Star compared the film's soundtrack to the music of the Philippines from the 1960s.[96]
In 2019, Geronimo played a lead role in Perci Intalan and Jun Robles Lana's Unforgettable.[99] The film featured her as an intellectually-disabled woman who finds and stray dog and brings it on the way to Baguio, where her grandmother is confined in a hospital.[100][101] That same year, she returned as a coach for the fourth season of The Voice Kids.[102] From late 2019 to early 2020, the song "Tala" became a trend following the release of a dance challenge;[103] this resulted in the song's music surpassing 100 million views on YouTube in June 2020.[104] In February 2020, Geronimo and Regine Velasquez co-headlined a concert titled Unified.[105] She also returned to television as a coach on the second season of The Voice Teens.[106] On March 27, 2021, Geronimo staged her livestream concert titled Tala: The Film Concert; it was filmed at the Araneta Coliseum and was broadcast via two live streaming platforms.[107]
In October 2022, after a two-year hiatus from professional engagements, Geronimo released two singles: "Dati-Dati", written by Jin Chan and produced by Su Ganade and Dylan Graham,[108][109] and "Cuore", which was co-written by her husband, Matteo Guidicelli.[110] On March 1, 2023, Geronimo released her single "Habang Buhay".[111] That May, Geronimo staged a concert at the Araneta Coliseum to mark her 20-year career.[112] That same year, she co-headlined a concert with Bamboo Mañalac at the Araneta Coliseum.[113] She also released her collaboration single with John Roa titled "Alam".[114]
On February 16, 2024, Geronimo and Billy Crawford released the music video for their single "My Mind", which was released in May 2023.[115] Geronimo will co-star alongside John Lloyd Cruz in an untitled upcoming film,[116] and will co-star alongside Matteo Guidicelli in the film Wonderful Nightmare (2024), based on the South Korean film of the same name.[117]
Geronimo grew up listening and dancing to the music of Michael Jackson.[118] She has named Regine Velasquez as her role model, stating that Velasquez made her realize the value of hard work in pursuing a career in music.[119] She also cited Michael Jackson as her main influence, mentioning that she grew up singing and dancing to his music.[120] Geronimo also cited the influences from Sharon Cuneta.[6]
Geronimo's music is generally pop, but has also incorporated R&B and EDM into her material.[121][67][79] Geronimo has drawn comparisons to Beyoncé for her stage presence and live performances, frequently performing her songs.[122] Recognized for her musical versatility and performances,[123] several media outlets have described her as the country's "Popstar Royalty",[a] and was also classified as a triple threat entertainer.[127][128]
Early in her early music career, she primarily recorded sentimental ballads,[29] and is renowned for her vocal range and belting technique;[29][129][130] Bayani San Diego of the Philippine Daily Inquirer described her as a "power belter".[131] Christian De Walden remarked, "The personality of her voice is phenomenally distinct. ... People who really know music can tell Sarah’s voice is her own."[29] Her albums Becoming and Taking Flight showcased her musical maturity.[39] Rito Asilo of the Philippine Daily Inquirer wrote, "Initially, no amount of vocal bravado could give the young singer the lived-in sensibility and vocal pizzazz that her first recording efforts—despite their chart-topping popularity and brisk sales—sorely lacked. In the past year, however, the affable pop princess has subtly shown that there is more to her than her Pied Piper-like ability to turn sappy lyrics and hum-worthy melodies into bestselling hits."[39]
Geronimo is a born-again Christian.[132] She was educated at the University of Santo Tomas High School.[133][134] After her family relocated from Santa Cruz, Manila to Quezon City,[6] she was homeschooled,[133] until she finished high school at the Angelicum College in 2007.[135] She also holds a degree of Associate in Arts from the University of the Philippines Open University.[133]
Geronimo met actor Matteo Guidicelli in 2009 and they worked together in the film Catch Me, I'm in Love (2011).[136] Geronimo confirmed in 2014 during an interview on the talk show Aquino & Abunda Tonight that they had been in a relationship since 2013.[3][137] On November 7, 2019, they announced their engagement,[138] and they were married in a private ceremony held in Taguig on February 20, 2020.[139] They currently reside in Makati.[140]
Throughout her career, Geronimo has received many accolades and honors, including 16 Awit Awards,[141] 6 Aliw Awards,[142] and 28 Myx Music Awards.[143] She was also honored as the Best Asian Artist at the Mnet Asian Music Awards in 2012,[144] the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Southeast Asian Act in 2014,[145] Best-Selling Filipino Artist at the World Music Awards,[146] and Best Asian Performer at the 2016 Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards.[147] Geronimo was also nominated for the Best Asian Performer at the 2013 Kids' Choice Awards,[148] and was nominated for the Best Female Artist, Best Live Act, and Entertainer of the Year at the World Music Awards in 2013,[149] as well as for the Best Southeast Asian Act at the 2013 MTV Europe Music Awards.[150] Geronimo was also a recipient of the FAMAS Award's Golden Artist in 2009.[151] In 2024, she was honored with the Global Force Award during the Billboard Women in Music event in YouTube Theater in Los Angeles, California, the first for a Filipino artist.[152]
In December 2009, Geronimo received a star on the Philippines' Walk of Fame.[153] In 2014, she was named Yes! magazine's Most Beautiful Star.[154] Forbes Asia listed her among the 100 Digital Stars in 2020.[155] In 2013, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) recognized her as an ambassador for music.[156] In 2021, Tatler named her as one of the most influential people in Asia,[157] and was also recognized as one of Asia's Leaders of Tomorrow in the publication's annual Gen T list.[158]
She turned 21 on July 25.
Fans of singer-actress Sarah Geronimo took to the microblogging site Twitter to greet and express their love and support for their idol, who turns 25 today, July 25.
Popstar Royalty Sarah Geronimo officially turned 32 years old on Saturday, July 25.
Sarah Geronimo turned 33 on Sunday [July 25] ...
After more than 10 years of belting songs, ...
Sarah's first appearance in an ABS-CBN Christmas ID was belting the first chorus of the 2004 theme "Sabay Tayo, Kapamilya".
Although local amateur singing contests like "Ang Bagong Kampeon" and "Star for a Night" have yielded power belters like Regine Velasquez and Sarah Geronimo, ...