KaladKaren

{{Short description|Filipino actress and television personality (born 1992)}} {{Use Philippine English|date=June 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2023}} {{distinguish|Karen Davila}} {{Infobox person | name = KaladKaren | image = | caption = Kaladkaren in 2025 | birth_name = Jervi Ryan Lisaba | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|08|09}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sabio |first1=Nikka |title=Here’s what Jervi 'KaladKaren' Wrightson prayed for on her birthday |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/8/13/here-s-what-jervi-kaladkaren-wrightson-prayed-for-on-her-birthday-1547 |access-date=11 January 2026 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=13 August 2025}}</ref> | birth_place = | other_names = {{hlist|Jervi Li|KaladKaren Davila|Jervi Wrightson}} | occupation = {{hlist|Actor|News Anchor|TV Host}} | education = University of the Philippines Diliman (BA) | years_active = 2011–present | known_for = First transgender news presenter in the Philippines | agent = Star Magic {{small|(2023–present)}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=KaladKaren inks contract with ABS-CBN's Star Magic |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/06/26/23/kaladkaren-inks-contract-with-abs-cbns-star-magic |date=26 June 2023 |access-date=27 June 2023 |website=ABS-CBN News |language=en |archive-date=June 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627045154/https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/06/26/23/kaladkaren-inks-contract-with-abs-cbns-star-magic |url-status=live }}</ref> | spouse = {{marriage|Luke Wrightson|September 8, 2024}} | website = {{Instagram|kaladkaren}} }}

'''Jervi Wrightson'''<ref name="Adina" /> (born '''Jervi Ryan Lisaba''';<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Vice Ganda (host), KaledKaren; Cipriano, Kean; Kiray, Wacky; Bayani Agbayani (guests)|date=|title=SING-vestigators reveal their real names|trans-title=|type=TV broadcast|language=fil|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljI_SPXw228%3Ft%3D125|access-date=19 July 2023|format=|time=2:05–2:10|location=|publisher=ABS-CBN|work=Gandang Gabi, Vice!|id=|isbn=|oclc=|quote=Vice: Anong real name mo? / KaladKaren: Jervi Ryan / Vice: Taray! Last name mo Ryan? / KaladKaren: Hindi... Lisaba [Vice: What is your real name? KaladKaren: Jervi Ryan / Vice: Sassy! So your Last name is Ryan? / KaladKaren: No... Lisaba]|via=YouTube|archive-date=July 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719061559/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljI_SPXw228%3Ft%3D125|url-status=live}}</ref> August 9, 1992), also known as '''Jervi Li'''<ref>{{cite news |title='My new family': KaladKaren is now part of Star Magic |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/05/24/23/my-new-family-kaladkaren-is-now-part-of-star-magic |access-date=15 October 2023 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=24 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=KaladKaren signs with Star Magic, to go beyond impersonation |url=https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-entertainment/2023/06/29/2277359/kaladkaren-signs-star-magic-go-beyond-impersonation |access-date=15 October 2023 |work=Philstar.com |date=29 June 2023 |archive-date=October 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022122623/https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-entertainment/2023/06/29/2277359/kaladkaren-signs-star-magic-go-beyond-impersonation |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=KaladKaren first trans woman to win MMFF best supporting actress |url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/entertainment/2023/4/11/KaladKaren-win-MMFF.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411184135/http://www.cnnphilippines.com/entertainment/2023/4/11/KaladKaren-win-MMFF.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 11, 2023 |date=11 April 2023 |first=Syrah Vivien |last=Inocencio |access-date=27 June 2023 |website=CNN Philippines |language=en}}</ref>

==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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/life/05/14/22/kaladkaren-turns-emotional-while-showing-karen-davila-her-new-home |title=Kaladkaren turns emotional while showing Karen Davila her new home |orig-date=May 14, 2022 |date=May 15, 2022 |website=ABS-CBN |access-date=August 16, 2022 |archive-date=October 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013081854/https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/05/14/22/kaladkaren-turns-emotional-while-showing-karen-davila-her-new-home |url-status=live }}</ref>

==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.{{Cn|date=April 2025}}

===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.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/celebritylife/fitness/73174/kaladkaren-shares-before-and-after-weight-loss-photos/story | title=KaladKaren shares before and after weight loss photos | access-date=August 16, 2022 | archive-date=June 19, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619141826/https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/celebritylife/fitness/73174/kaladkaren-shares-before-and-after-weight-loss-photos/story | url-status=live }}</ref> She would be known as KaladKaren due to her portrayal, a humorous pun combining "Karen" and Tagalog {{lang|tl|kaladkarin}} (meaning "someone who gets persuaded easily into joining activities", literally "[something] dragged along").<ref name="Manipon">{{cite news |last1=Manipon |first1=Roel Hoang |title=KaladKaren is 'Drag Race Philippines' Judge |url=https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/daily-tribune-philippines/20220725/282029035968979?srsltid=AfmBOopFtGsKj4AzdqKTgDf4tWTvNgdXXYpZ05K6gjIWTioAF0uv1hJ0 |access-date=29 April 2025 |work=Daily Tribune |date=25 July 2022}}</ref>

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''.<ref name="Preen">{{cite web | url=https://preen.ph/131311/kaladkaren-judge-drag-race-philippines-trinity | title=Judge KaladKaren completes the 'Drag Race Philippines' trinity | date=July 20, 2022 | publisher=Preen.ph | access-date=November 14, 2022 | archive-date=November 14, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114014428/https://preen.ph/131311/kaladkaren-judge-drag-race-philippines-trinity | url-status=live }}</ref>

In June 2023, she joined ''Frontline Pilipinas'' on TV5 as a presenter for the Showbiz and Trivia segment, using the screen name "KaladKaren".<ref name="Adina"/>

===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.{{Cn|date=April 2025}}

In 2023, Wrightson would act in ''Here Comes the Groom'' which premiered at the 2023 Summer Metro Manila Film Festival.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pasajol |first1=Anne |title=KaladKaren makes history as first transwoman to win MMFF best supporting actress award |url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/494579/kaladkaren-makes-history-as-first-transwoman-to-win-mmff-best-supporting-actress-award |access-date=April 12, 2023 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=April 12, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=April 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412041416/https://entertainment.inquirer.net/494579/kaladkaren-makes-history-as-first-transwoman-to-win-mmff-best-supporting-actress-award |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Enchong Dee on gender-swapping role in 'Here Comes The Groom': "Ang hirap maging babae!" |trans-title=Enchong Dee on gender-swapping role in 'Here Comes The Groom': "It's hard to be a woman!" |url=https://www.pep.ph/pepalerts/pep-troika/172438/enchong-dee-gender-swapping-role-a4118-20230330 |access-date=April 12, 2023 |work=PEP.ph |publisher=Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. |date=March 30, 2023 |language=fil |archive-date=April 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412164229/https://www.pep.ph/pepalerts/pep-troika/172438/enchong-dee-gender-swapping-role-a4118-20230330 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name=ikalawang>{{cite news |title=Kaladkaren, ikalawang trans woman na nanalo ng acting award sa Pilipinas |trans-title=Kaladkaren, second trans woman to win acting award in the Pilipinas |url=https://www.pep.ph/pepalerts/pep-troika/172680/kaladkaren-acting-award-a4118-20230412 |access-date=April 12, 2023 |work=PEP.ph |publisher=Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. |date=April 12, 2023 |language=fil |archive-date=April 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412164606/https://www.pep.ph/pepalerts/pep-troika/172680/kaladkaren-acting-award-a4118-20230412 |url-status=live }}</ref>

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''.<ref name="Sarmiento">{{cite news |last1=Sarmiento |first1=Kate |title=KaladKaren Proudly Introduces Jervi Wrightson To The World |url=https://www.cosmo.ph/entertainment/kaladkaren-jervi-wrightson-official-screen-name-a5322-20241004 |access-date=29 April 2025 |work=Cosmopolitan Philippines |date=4 October 2024}}</ref><ref name="Adina">{{cite news |last1=Adina |first1=Armin P. |title=Kaladkaren no more? Anchor debuts married name in post-wedding news duty |url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/579408/kaladkaren-no-more-anchor-debuts-married-name-in-post-wedding-news-duty |access-date=29 April 2025 |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=1 October 2024 |archive-date=October 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002015535/https://entertainment.inquirer.net/579408/kaladkaren-no-more-anchor-debuts-married-name-in-post-wedding-news-duty |url-status=live }}</ref>

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.{{Cn|date=April 2025}}

==Personal life== Wrightson is an advocate of LGBTQ rights.<ref name="fiance-10th">{{cite news |last1=Cruz |first1=Dana |title=KaladKaren to fiance on their 10th anniversary: 'You're indeed the love of my life' |url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/462053/kaladkaren-to-fiance-on-their-10th-anniversary-youre-indeed-the-love-of-my-life |access-date=April 12, 2023 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=August 27, 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Cruz |first1=Dana |title=KaladKaren on 'heterosexual rights' bill: 'It's not a pie, they aren't oppressed' |url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/471643/kaladkaren-on-heterosexual-rights-bill-its-not-a-pie-they-arent-oppressed |access-date=April 12, 2023 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=November 9, 2022 |language=en |archive-date=April 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412165322/https://entertainment.inquirer.net/471643/kaladkaren-on-heterosexual-rights-bill-its-not-a-pie-they-arent-oppressed |url-status=live }}</ref> She got engaged to boyfriend Luke Wrightson in 2020.<ref name="lovewins">{{cite news |last1=Bernardino |first1=Stephanie |title=#LoveWins: Kaladkaren announces engagement to British boyfriend |url=https://mb.com.ph/2020/09/10/lovewins-kaladkaren-announces-engagement-with-british-boyfriend/ |access-date=April 12, 2023 |work=Manila Bulletin |date=September 10, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=April 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412162827/https://mb.com.ph/2020/09/10/lovewins-kaladkaren-announces-engagement-with-british-boyfriend/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On September 8, 2024, the two got married in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 9, 2024 |title=In Photos: Kaladkaren's wedding with fiancé Luke Wrightson |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2024/9/9/in-photos-kaladkaren-s-wedding-with-fiance-luke-wrightson-009|access-date=September 23, 2024 |publisher=ABS-CBN News}}</ref>

==Filmography== === Television === {| class = "wikitable" style = "font-size: 100%;" |- ! 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 |- | rowspan="2" |2022–present |''Drag Race Philippines'' |Herself / Judge |- |''BalitaOneNan'' |KaladKaren Dadilat |- | rowspan="7" | 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 |{{pending|''Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale''}} {{dagger}} |Judge |}

===Radio=== {| class="wikitable" ! Year !! Title !! Role |- | 2017 || ''Pasada Sais Trenta'' || Herself / Guest |- | 2023 || ''Ang Tinig N'yo'' || Guest Co-host |}

===Film=== {|class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! Title !! Role |- | 2017 || ''Gandarrapiddo: The Revenger Squad'' || KaladKaren Davila (reporter) |- |rowspan="2"| 2018 | ''Kusina Kings'' || KaladKaren Davila (Reporter), host of Kusina King Challenge/herself |- |''The Girl in the Orange Dress'' || Ogie |- | 2019 || ''The Mall, the Merrier!'' |rowspan="2" | KaladKaren Davila (reporter) |- |2020 || ''Mang Kepweng: Ang Lihim ng Bandanang Itim'' |- | 2023 || ''Here Comes the Groom'' || Wilhelmina Wilwayco |- |rowspan="3"|2025 |''Flower Girl'' |Trans Fairy |- |''Warla'' |Joice |- |''Unmarry'' | |}

===Other credits=== * ''Eat Bulaga'' (GMA, 2009–2012) - Writer{{efn|name=KaladKaren|Credited as Jervi Lisaba.}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anarcon |first=James Patrick |date=October 28, 2017 |title=Will KaladKaren sign an exclusive contract with ABS-CBN? |url=https://pep.ph/guide/tv/26953/will-kaladkaren-sign-an-exclusive-contract-with-abs-cbn |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=PEP.ph |language=en |archive-date=July 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705083232/https://www.pep.ph/guide/tv/26953/will-kaladkaren-sign-an-exclusive-contract-with-abs-cbn |url-status=live }}</ref> * ''The Amazing Race Philippines 2'' (TV5, 2014) - Writer{{efn|name=KaladKaren|Credited as Jervi Lisaba.}}

==Awards and nominations== {|class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Work ! Award ! Category ! Result ! Source  |- | 2023 | ''Here Comes the Groom'' | 1st Summer Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Supporting Actress | {{won}} | <ref name=ikalawang/> |}

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:KaladKaren}} Category:1992 births Category:21st-century Filipino actresses Category:Filipino LGBTQ artists Category:Filipino LGBTQ comedians Category:Filipino LGBTQ entertainers Category:Filipino radio personalities Category:Filipino television personalities Category:Filipino transgender actresses Category:Filipino women comedians Category:21st-century Filipino comedians Category:Living people Category:The Amazing Race contestants Category:Transgender comedians Category:University of the Philippines Diliman alumni Category:Filipino impressionists (entertainers) Category:GMA Network (company) people Category:ABS-CBN people Category:TV5 Network people Category:News5 people Category:Star Magic personalities