Sarah Geronimo
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).
Early life and career background
Sarah Asher Tua Geronimo was born on July 25, 1988 in Santa Cruz, Manila the third of four children of Divina (née Tua) and Delfin Geronimo. Her father has worked for a telecommunications company, while her mother is an entrepreneur who had run a business in Santa Cruz, Manila. During her early years, her family was in debt. She began singing at age two and has performed in various singing competitions as a child. At age four, she began auditioning for television programs, and appeared in the youth-oriented series Penpen de Sarapen, Ang TV, and NEXT. In 1995, she appeared in the film Sarah... Ang Munting Prinsesa as a background actor, playing a friend of Camille Prats's character. That same year, she performed for Pope John Paul II during the World Youth Day, which was held in Manila.
Geronimo was attending the University of Santo Tomas Junior High School when she joined the reality television singing contest Star for a Night, based on the British talent show of the same name. She won the competition on March 1, 2003, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City, performing a cover of Celine Dion's "To Love You More". After her win, she was signed to a record deal with Viva Records. Geronimo said that her family was her inspiration despite the challenges her family has been through.
Music career
2003–2005: Popstar: A Dream Come True, Sweet Sixteen
Geronimo released her debut studio album Popstar: A Dream Come True in 2003, which included the tracks "Sa Iyo", written by Jun Murillo, "Forever's Not Enough", 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". The album has sold over 300,000 units in the Philippines, and was certified 5x platinum. Its accompanying concert was staged that October at the Music Museum in Greenhills, San Juan.
Geronimo began 2004 by signing with ABS-CBN's weekly musical variety show ASAP as a main performer. That July, she, Erik Santos, and Rachelle Ann Go co-headlined the concert titled Night of the Champions at the Araneta Coliseum, which won the Best Major Concert Collaboration at the 2005 Aliw Awards. She also released her second album Sweet Sixteen, which was certified 2x platinum; the album contained the lead single, "How Could You Say You Love Me". Geronimo also performed the Philippine National Anthem during the ceremonies for the second inauguration of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on June 30, 2004, in Manila.
In 2005, Geronimo presented the singing competition shows Search for the Star in a Million and Little Big Star. Later that year, she staged her first major solo concert at Araneta Coliseum entitled The Other Side.
2006–2007: Becoming and Taking Flight
In July 2006, Geronimo released her third studio album, Becoming, produced by Carlo Nasi and Christian De Walden. Nestor Torre of the Philippine Daily Inquirer described the album as "her transition from teen icon to young adult". It included the single "I Still Believe in Loving You", which was written by Jimmy Borja. At the Manny Pacquiao vs. Erik Morales boxing match on November 18, 2006, Geronimo sang the Philippine National Anthem.
In 2007, Geronimo staged her second major solo concert entitled "In Motion" at the Araneta Coliseum. She also staged concerts in the United States. 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". Rito Asilo of the Philippine Daily Inquirer praised Geronimo's vocal maturity, and called it an "artistic reinvention", while Baby Gil of The Philippine Star called Geronimo's transition as "risky but admirable". "Ikaw" was named the Song of the Year at the Myx Music Awards 2008.
2008–2010: Just Me and Music and Me
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In 2008, Geronimo 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. That November, she embarked on The Next One concert at the Araneta Coliseum. The following year, she embarked on the U.S. leg of The Next One. Additionally, she restaged her The Next One concert in the Philippines and headlined another concert titled The Record Breaker. Geronimo won the Star Award for Female Pop Artist in 2009 for her compilation album OPM. In 2009, she released two albums: her Christmas album Your Christmas Girl, and her sixth studio album Music and Me. The latter featured covers of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) and international singles, 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. For the album, Geronimo won the Star Award for Best Female Recording Artist.
2011–2013: One Heart, Expressions, and television projects
In February 2011, she collaborated with Martin Nievera in a Valentine's Day concert titled "What Love Is" at the Araneta Coliseum. That May, she released her eighth studio album, One Heart. The album features a mix of original compositions and covers of OPM songs, such as "Sino Nga Ba Siya" and "Kung Siya ang Mahal".
In 2012, she starred in the musical television show Sarah G. Live. That July, she headlined a concert titled 24/SG at the Araneta Coliseum, which won the for the Best Major Concert by a Female Artist at the 25th Aliw Awards. 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.
In 2013, Geronimo expanded her career into reality television as a coach on The Voice franchise series The Voice of the Philippines. 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". 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.
2014–2016: Perfectly Imperfect and The Great Unknown
In 2014, Geronimo released her eleventh studio album titled Perfectly Imperfect, supported by the lead single "Kilometro". That same year, she returned to television as a coach on The Voice Kids.
In 2015, Geronimo returned as a coach for the second season of The Voice Kids. She also contributed to the soundtrack of the film Felix Manalo, a biopic on the Iglesia ni Cristo minister of the same name. 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. In support of the album, Geronimo staged a concert on November 29, 2016, at the Kia Theatre (later New Frontier Theater). Geronimo ended 2015 by staging a concert titled From the Top at the Araneta Coliseum.
2017–present: This 15 Me and resurgence
In 2017, Geronimo returned to television as a coach on The Voice Teens. The following year, she announced that she had begun production of a new studio album titled This 15 Me. That same year, she also headlined its accompanying concert at the Araneta Coliseum.
In 2019, Geronimo returned as a coach for the fourth season of The Voice Kids. From late 2019 to early 2020, the song "Tala" became a trend following the release of a dance challenge; this resulted in the song's music surpassing 100 million views on YouTube in June 2020. In February 2020, Geronimo and Regine Velasquez co-headlined a concert titled Unified. She also returned to television as a coach on the second season of The Voice Teens. 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.
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, and "Cuore", which was co-written by her husband, Matteo Guidicelli.
Geronimo began 2023 by releasing her single "Habang Buhay". That same year, she staged two concerts in the Araneta Coliseum: a concert in May in celebration of her 20-year career milestone, and a co-headlining concert with Bamboo Mañalac at the Araneta Coliseum. She also released her collaboration single with John Roa titled "Alam". She also collaborated with Billy Crawford in the single "My Mind", whose music video was released the following year. The track was co-written and co-produced by Crawford.
Acting career
Geronimo made her film debut in the 2003 drama film Filipinas, where she played the role of a daughter to Richard Gomez's character who was left behind when her father migrated to the United States. playing the Its soundtrack includes Geronimo's cover of "Paano Kita Mapasasalamatan?". She also starred in the film Captain Barbell, based on the superhero of the same name, in a supporting role as a younger sister of the eponymous superhero (played by Bong Revilla). In 2004, she starred in a leading role on the television series Sarah the Teen Princess. That same year, she starred in the film Annie B. Her last film appearance that year was co-starring with Mark Bautista in Lastikman: Unang Banat, based on Mars Ravelo's comics superhero Lastikman, playing the title superhero's love interest. In 2005, she joined the cast of the teen-oriented television program SCQ Reload: Kilig Ako.
In 2006, Geronimo starred in the prime time soap opera Bituing Walang Ningning, a remake of the 1985 film of the same name. 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. She was supposed to star in a remake of Dear Heart, but the project was shelved. The following year, she starred in a leading role in the weekly drama series Pangarap na Bituin, playing a singer who was orphaned during her childhood after her parents died after the eruption of Mayon Volcano.
Geronimo's acting breakthrough came in 2008 when starred opposite Cruz in Cathy Garcia-Molina's A Very Special Love. 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). When asked about her role, Geronimo said she was shy at first when working with Cruz but was okay afterwards. 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. The film was a commercial success, grossing ₱179 million (US$3.2 million) at the box office. For her performance, Geronimo won the Box Office Entertainment Award for Box Office Queen.
In 2009, Geronimo worked again with Cruz and Garcia-Molina in You Changed My Life, reprising the role of Laida Magtalas. It portrayed them as a couple facing trials and hardships in their relationship as they pursue career opportunities. The film raked in ₱209 million (US$3.7 million) at the box office, and Geronimo was consequently crowned Box Office Queen at the Box Office Entertainment Awards for the second time. The following year next starred in the musical drama series 1DOL, collaborating with Sam Milby and Coco Martin. Her only film appearance in 2010 was Hating Kapatid, where she portrayed the role of a younger sister to Judy Ann Santos's character, who could barely communicate when their parents were working in Libya. The film's soundtrack included a cover of "Love Will Keep Us Together".
Geronimo spent 2011 playing lead roles in films opposite Gerald Anderson. The first film was Catch Me, I'm in Love, where she portrayed the role of a social worker in a non-profit organization. Writing for the Philippine Entertainment Portal, Nica Tomines remarked: "Sarah effortlessly conveys the emotions of a girl who falls in love for the first time, and she falls real hard." The film's soundtrack included a cover of Teri DeSario's "Fallin'", which she also released in her album One Heart. She subsequently appeared in Won't Last A Day Without You, portraying a radio DJ.
In 2013, Geronimo reunited with Cruz and Garcia-Molina in the film It Takes a Man and a Woman, which featured Laida and Miggy, who after they ended their relationship, working together again to save a publishing company. The film grossed ₱405 million (US$7.2 million) in the box office, making it her biggest commercial success to date. Geronimo was also named Box Office Queen for the third time in her career, and won the Golden Screen Award for Best Actress.
In 2014, Geronimo 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. The following year, she co-starred alongside Piolo Pascual in the film The Breakup Playlist.
Geronimo's next film appearance was 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). A commercial success, the film grossed ₱316.5 million (US$5.7 million) at the box office. The following year, she starred in another leading role in Miss Granny, which is based on the 2014 South Korean film of the same name; the film featured her as an elderly woman who was transformed into a young lady after a visit to a mysterious photo studio. She also released the songs "Kiss Me, Kiss Me" and "Isa Pang Araw" for the film's soundtrack, 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. Geronimo was subsequently awarded the Star Award for Best Movie Actress. Baby Gil of The Philippine Star compared the film's soundtrack to the music of the Philippines from the 1960s.
In 2019, Geronimo played a lead role in Perci Intalan and Jun Robles Lana's Unforgettable. The film featured her as an intellectually disabled woman who finds a stray dog and brings it on the way to Baguio, where her grandmother is confined in a hospital. For her role, she trained with other people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She earned a nomination for Movie Actress of the Year at the 36th Star Awards for Movies.
Geronimo's next project include an untitled upcoming film which she will co-star alongside John Lloyd Cruz, and an adaptation of the South Korean film Wonderful Nightmare.
Artistry
Influences
Geronimo grew up listening and dancing to the music of Michael Jackson. 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. She also cited Michael Jackson as her main influence, mentioning that she grew up singing and dancing to his music. Geronimo also admires Sharon Cuneta, and Lea Salonga, and likes to perform the songs of Celine Dion.
Musical style
Geronimo's music is generally pop, but has also incorporated R&B and EDM into her material. Geronimo has drawn comparisons to Beyoncé for her stage presence and live performances, frequently performing her songs. Recognized for her musical versatility and performances, several media outlets have described her as the country's "Popstar Royalty", and was also classified as a triple threat entertainer.
Early in her early music career, she primarily recorded sentimental ballads, and is renowned for her vocal range and belting technique; Bayani San Diego of the Philippine Daily Inquirer described her as a "power belter". 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." Her albums Becoming and Taking Flight showcased her musical maturity. 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."
Personal life
Geronimo is a born-again Christian. She was educated at the University of Santo Tomas High School. After her family relocated from Santa Cruz, Manila to Quezon City, she was homeschooled, until she finished high school at the Angelicum College in 2007. She also holds a degree of Associate in Arts from the University of the Philippines Open University.
Geronimo met actor Matteo Guidicelli in 2009 and they worked together in the film Catch Me, I'm in Love (2011). Geronimo confirmed in 2014 during an interview on the talk show Aquino & Abunda Tonight that they had been in a relationship since 2013. On November 7, 2019, they announced their engagement, and were married in a private ceremony held in Taguig the following year. They currently reside in Makati.
Accolades and public image
Throughout her career, Geronimo has received many accolades and honors, including 16 Awit Awards, 6 Aliw Awards, 14 Star Awards, and 28 Myx Music Awards. She was also honored as the Best Asian Artist at the Mnet Asian Music Awards in 2012, the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Southeast Asian Act in 2014, Best-Selling Filipino Artist at the World Music Awards, and Best Asian Performer at the 2016 Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards. Geronimo was also nominated for the Best Asian Performer at the 2013 Kids' Choice Awards, and was nominated for the Best Female Artist, Best Live Act, and Entertainer of the Year at the World Music Awards in 2013, as well as for the Best Southeast Asian Act at the 2013 MTV Europe Music Awards. Geronimo was also a recipient of the FAMAS Award's Golden Artist in 2009. 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.
In December 2009, Geronimo received a star on the Philippines' Walk of Fame. In 2014, she was named Yes! magazine's Most Beautiful Star. Forbes Asia listed her among the 100 Digital Stars in 2020. In 2013, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) recognized her as an ambassador for music. In 2021, Tatler named her as one of the most influential people in Asia, and was also recognized as one of Asia's Leaders of Tomorrow in the publication's annual Gen T list.
Discography
- Popstar: A Dream Come True (2003)
- Sweet Sixteen (2004)
- Becoming (2006)
- Taking Flight (2007)
- Just Me (2008)
- Music and Me (2009)
- One Heart (2011)
- Expressions (2013)
- Perfectly Imperfect (2014)
- The Great Unknown (2015)
- This 15 Me (2018)
Filmography
- A Very Special Love (2008)
- You Changed My Life (2009)
- Catch Me, I'm in Love (2011)
- Won't Last a Day Without You (2011)
- It Takes a Man and a Woman (2013)
- Maybe This Time (2014)
- The Breakup Playlist (2015)
- Finally Found Someone (2017)
- Miss Granny (2018)
- Unforgettable (2019)