Success in the Philippines isn't just about talent. It’s about timing. And maybe a little bit of magic.
Most people know Jane de Leon as the girl who swallowed the white stone. You’ve seen her in the iconic red suit, flying across television screens as the 2022 incarnation of Darna. But before she was a household name, she was just another face in the crowd of hopefuls trying to make a dent in the brutal world of Philippine showbiz.
Jane de Leon before and now is a story of extreme contrasts. It’s the difference between being an uncredited extra and becoming a primetime titan. Honestly, the shift is pretty wild when you look at the raw timeline.
The Struggle Before the Stone
Jane didn’t just wake up famous. Far from it. Born in 1998 in San Pedro, Laguna, her early life was actually quite comfortable until her father lost his job. That’s when things got real. She’s been open about the fact that she and her mother used to sneak out at night just to travel to Metro Manila for auditions. Why at night? Because her father wasn't exactly sold on the idea of her becoming an actress at first.
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She started in the pageant circuit. If you dig through old archives, you’ll find her as a semi-finalist in Teen Supermodel Philippines back in 2013. She was also part of the dance group GirlTrends on It’s Showtime in 2016. Kinda funny, right? Back then, she was often criticized for her dancing—or lack thereof. The internet can be mean, and she definitely felt the sting of those early memes.
Before the "Big Break," she was a veteran of the "supporting role" grind. You might remember her as the feisty Maggie Bartolome in the 2018 hit Halik. She played Jericho Rosales' sister. It was a solid role, but she was still very much in the background. She was the reliable supporting actress, the one who did the work but didn't get the billboard.
The Darna Transformation and the Weight of Expectation
Everything changed in July 2019. When Liza Soberano had to back out of the Darna film due to a finger injury, the search was on. Over 300 women auditioned. Jane won.
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The "before" was a girl trying to pay the bills; the "now" was a woman carrying the weight of a multi-million peso franchise. But it wasn't an instant flight. Because of the pandemic and various production hurdles, she had to wait three years to actually suit up. During that waiting period, she did a stint in FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano as Lia Mante to keep her acting muscles warm.
When Mars Ravelo’s Darna finally premiered in 2022, the physical transformation was obvious. She went from "petite girl next door" to "toned superhero." She’s talked about the grueling workouts with coach Culver Padilla and the bruises she got from harness work. She literally entered the project with clear skin and left it covered in battle scars.
Jane de Leon Now: Life After the Suit
Now that the Darna era has wrapped up, Jane is in a weirdly prestigious spot. She’s no longer just a "Star Magic" girl; she’s a brand. As of early 2026, her career trajectory has shifted away from the "damsel" or "sidekick" roles of her past.
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- Genre Hopping: She starred in the 2024 MMFF entry Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital alongside Enrique Gil. It was a "meta found footage" horror film. Total 180 from the superhero vibes.
- The JaneNella Factor: You can't talk about Jane now without mentioning Janella Salvador. Their chemistry in Darna (as Narda and Valentina) sparked a massive "sapphic" ship online. While their 2025/2026 film How to Be a Good Wife isn't a GL (Girls' Love) story, the fan demand for them to work together is a huge part of Jane's current marketability.
- Endorsement Power: Before, she was doing local commercials for snacks like Quake Overload. Now? She’s a face for major telcos like Smart (joining Anne Curtis) and beauty brands like Freshies by Juju Glow.
Basically, she’s moved from seeking opportunities to selecting them.
Why the "Before and Now" Comparison Matters
Looking at Jane de Leon before and now shows a lot about how the industry works. People love to say she was a "nobody" who got lucky. But that ignores the ten years of bit parts and rejections. She auditioned for Now United (and lost). She auditioned for Eat Bulaga (and lost).
The "now" version of Jane is more guarded, more professional, and clearly more physically confident. She’s survived the "naysayer" phase where people doubted she could carry a show. Whether you loved her Darna or not, you can't deny she’s one of the few actresses of her generation who has actually lead a massive, sustained TV production.
If you’re looking to follow her journey or perhaps want to see where she’s heading next, keep an eye on her upcoming project Incognito and her rumored collaborations with international brands. She isn't just a girl with a stone anymore; she’s a legitimate lead actress who has paid her dues in the trenches of Philippine entertainment.
Next Steps for Fans and Observers:
Check out her performance in Strange Frequencies to see her range outside of action. If you're interested in the business side of her career, look at her transition into more high-fashion and luxury endorsements, which suggests a pivot toward a more "prestige" celebrity image in the coming years.