KaladKaren
Filipino actress and television personality (born 1992)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jervi Wrightson[3] (born Jervi Ryan Lisaba;[4] August 9, 1992), also known as Jervi Li[5][6] and better known by her stage name KaladKaren, is a Filipino award-winning actress, TV host, writer, endorser, impersonator, LGBTQ rights advocate, television personality and radio host most known for her queer representation in the mainstream media of the Philippines. She is a trailblazer in the Philippine LGBTQIA+ community; becoming the first transgender woman news anchor in the country and the first transgender woman to win 'Best Supporting Actress' at the Summer Metro Manila Film Festival.[7]
August 9, 1992[1]
- Jervi Li
- KaladKaren Davila
- Jervi Wrightson
- Actor
- News Anchor
- TV Host
KaladKaren | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jervi Ryan Lisaba August 9, 1992[1] |
| Other names |
|
| Education | University of the Philippines Diliman (BA) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Agent | Star Magic (2023–present)[2] |
| Known for | First transgender news presenter in the Philippines |
| Spouse |
Luke Wrightson (m. 2024) |
| Website | KaladKaren on Instagram |
Education
Jervi graduated from the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City with magna cum laude honors and obtained a bachelor's degree in broadcast communication.[8]
Career
In 2012, Wrightson (credited as Jervi Li) and Saida Diola formed Team Amigas on the series The Amazing Race Philippines 1 on TV5. The team placed 5th after being eliminated in Boracay.[citation needed]
TV host and personality career
In 2016, Wrightson impersonated Karen Davila in the Philippine presidential election, as part of a political satire event led by UP Diliman.[9] She would be known as KaladKaren due to her portrayal, a humorous pun combining "Karen" and Tagalog kaladkarin (meaning "someone who gets persuaded easily into joining activities", literally "[something] dragged along").[10]
She co-hosted the morning talk show of ABS-CBN's Umagang Kay Ganda and presented Pilipinas Got Talent Exclusives, The Voice Kids Digi TV, The Voice Teens Digi TV and Trabahanap. She was also a mainstay of the program I Can See Your Voice and served as a resident judge on Drag Race Philippines.[11]
In June 2023, she joined Frontline Pilipinas on TV5 as a presenter for the Showbiz and Trivia segment, using the screen name "KaladKaren".[3]
Acting career
In 2011, Wrightson (credited as Jervi Li) appeared in the GMA's comedy horror anthology Spooky Nights: Bampirella along with stars Marian Rivera, Mikael Daez, and Gelli de Belen.[citation needed]
In 2023, Wrightson would act in Here Comes the Groom which premiered at the 2023 Summer Metro Manila Film Festival.[12] In the film, she portrayed Wilhelmina who was also a trans woman like herself. Her character switched bodies with Junior, the protagonist which was portrayed by Enchong Dee hence she had to act like a man for parts of the film to fulfill the role.[13] She won the best supporting actress award in the festival, becoming the first trans woman to win the said award and second to win in an actress category award in the Philippine film industry after Iyah Mina in 2018.[14]
After her marriage in September 2024, Wrightson changed her screen name from Kaladkaren to her real name, Jervi Wrightson, during an announcement on Frontline Pilipinas.[15][3]
She appeared in the iWantTFC miniseries such as Drag You & Me and Fit Check and is played by herself to make a supporting character was denoted by a cameo appearance in the drama-suspense thriller miniseries, Fractured, along with co-stars by Francine Diaz, Seth Fedelin, Jeremiah Lisbo, Kaori Oinuma, Raven Rigor, Sean Tristan, and Daniela Stranner.[citation needed]
Personal life
Wrightson is an advocate of LGBTQ rights.[16][17] She got engaged to boyfriend Luke Wrightson in 2020.[18] On September 8, 2024, the two got married in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom.[19]
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Spooky Nights: Bampriella | Megan Pak |
| 2012 | The Amazing Race Philippines 1 | Herself |
| 2017 | Pasada Sais Trenta | Herself / Guest |
| 2017–2019 | Gandang Gabi, Vice! | Guest |
| 2018–2020 | Umagang Kay Ganda | Co-host |
| 2019 | Banana Sundae | Herself |
| 2019–2021 | I Can See Your Voice | Herself / SINGvestigator |
| 2022 | It's Showtime | Jury |
| 2022–present | Drag Race Philippines | Herself / Judge |
| BalitaOneNan | KaladKaren Dadilat | |
| 2023 | Headstart with Karen Davila | Herself / Guest |
| TV Patrol | Herself / Guest Segment Anchor "Star Patrol" | |
| Family Feud | Herself/Guest | |
| Drag You & Me | Gerardo Pallan / Miranda Kalaw-Forbes | |
| Fit Check | Barbie | |
| Fractured | Herself | |
| E.A.T. | Herself / Segment Co-Host | |
| 2023–present | Frontline Pilipinas | Herself / Segment Anchor "Showbiz Eto Na Nga" and "K-alaman" (as Jervi Wrightson) |
| 2024 | It's Showtime | Herself / Guest Performer |
| 2025 | Rainbow Rumble | Herself / Contestant |
| 2026 | Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale † | Judge |
Radio
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Pasada Sais Trenta | Herself / Guest |
| 2023 | Ang Tinig N'yo | Guest Co-host |
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Gandarrapiddo: The Revenger Squad | KaladKaren Davila (reporter) |
| 2018 | Kusina Kings | KaladKaren Davila (Reporter), host of Kusina King Challenge/herself |
| The Girl in the Orange Dress | Ogie | |
| 2019 | The Mall, the Merrier! | KaladKaren Davila (reporter) |
| 2020 | Mang Kepweng: Ang Lihim ng Bandanang Itim | |
| 2023 | Here Comes the Groom | Wilhelmina Wilwayco |
| 2025 | Flower Girl | Trans Fairy |
| Warla | Joice | |
| Unmarry |
Other credits
- Eat Bulaga (GMA, 2009–2012) - Writer[a][20]
- The Amazing Race Philippines 2 (TV5, 2014) - Writer[a]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Work | Award | Category | Result | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Here Comes the Groom | 1st Summer Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Supporting Actress | Won | [14] |
Notes
- Credited as Jervi Lisaba.