Liza Soberano Gets Candid On Being Called "Laos" And Why She Chose To Move To The U.S.

Many people have described Liza Soberano as being more low-key these days, especially considering how visible she was at the height of her career in the Philippines. Since moving to the United States to pursue opportunities abroad, her updates have mostly come in waves—whether it's a new acting project, a major career milestone, or periods where she steps away from the spotlight altogether.

But behind those updates is a reality that many people don't see. During her guest appearance on the Painfully Human Podcast, Liza opened up about the challenges of starting over in a new industry and how some of the comments she received online affected her.

"When I first moved to L.A., it really hurt me when people would be like, 'Oh, laos na siya, we don't see her anywhere. Oh, laos na siya. She's like, only doing these small influencer gigs...'" But while some people saw fewer appearances and assumed her career had slowed down, Liza shared that she was simply navigating an entirely different reality.

"Guys, that's how I stay alive. Like, I'm not making as much money as I did before. And on top of that, [the] majority of my money still comes from, like, Asia, but I'm living in the U.S. So the conversation... the conversation is crazy."

The conversation came up after host Edward Barber, the Filipino-British actor and former housemate from Pinoy Big Brother: Lucky 7, asked her about the cost of starting over and building an acting career in a new place—from scratch.

For Liza, the answer came down to something many people don't often associate with celebrities: financial insecurity. She explained that stepping away from Philippine showbiz made her realize how much of her identity had been tied to success and stability. It was also during this period that she confronted a fear she had carried for years.

"For the longest time—this is something that I've realized about myself, like stepping away from showbiz too, and kind of from the Philippines in general. And I don't mean disrespect by this, but like, I was so afraid of looking poor."

Liza also revealed that many people had misconceptions about her upbringing. Because she is half-American and mestiza, some assumed she came from a wealthy background. This was far from the truth, she emphasized.

Despite the sacrifices, Liza believes the decision was necessary for her growth.

"Obviously, money is the biggest thing that I've sacrificed because I could be here in the Philippines doing the same thing I've been doing since I was 12, making lots of money... but now I don't."

The actress shared that part of what pushed her to make the leap was feeling disconnected from her work. After years of nonstop projects and demanding schedules, she found herself struggling to fully feel her emotions as an actress and eventually operating on what she described as "auto-pilot."

Since stepping away from her love team era with Enrique Gil, Liza has gradually carved out a path beyond the projects that first made her a household name. She later worked under James Reid's management and began exploring opportunities that allowed her to grow as an artist in different ways.

Aside from starring in teleseryes and films, Liza took on her first major voice-acting role as the lead in the Filipino animated series Trese on Netflix. In 2024, she officially made her Hollywood debut in the horror-comedy film Lisa Frankenstein, where she played the cheerleader Taffy.

Most recently, Liza announced that she is part of DreamWorks Animation's upcoming feature film, Forgotten Island, where she joins an ensemble cast of Filipino and international talents. The film is scheduled to arrive in Philippine cinemas this September.

During the podcast, Liza shared that she continues to invest heavily in herself through acting lessons, workshops, and coaching. She regularly attends auditions in Los Angeles and, despite the inevitable rejections that come with the process, said she feels genuinely fulfilled.

It may not be the easiest path, but for Liza, it's one that finally feels like her own. We're rooting for you! 💗