H.E.R. & Liza Soberano on Friendship, Filipino Culture, and Forgotten Island

H.E.R. and Liza Soberano are no strangers to the spotlight. With acclaimed albums, world tours, 5 Grammys and an Academy Award, H.E.R. is just getting started. Meanwhile, Liza is a celebrated actress in the Philippines, known for her roles in hits like Alone/Together, My Ex and Whys, and Forevermore. But their new project, DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island, marks an exciting new chapter in both of their careers. A wholly original concept from the directors of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, H.E.R. and Liza voice Jo and Raissa, two lifelong best friends about to embark on separate paths when they’re transported to Nakali, a mythical island inhabited by creatures inspired by Filipino folklore. Rendered in breathtaking animation, Forgotten Island is a celebration of Filipino culture that explores universal ideas about change, memory, and the power of friendship. In this episode, H.E.R. and Liza join Jacqueline Coley to discuss bringing Jo and Raissa to life, finding unexpected pieces of themselves in the characters, and recording with real life best friends, directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado. H.E.R. tells the story behind the original song she wrote for the film, Liza reveals the moment that brought her to tears when they recorded the song together, and they both reflect on and what it means to them to be spotlighting their culture for a global audience—with the help of their “Filipino Avengers” castmates Lea Salonga, Dolly de Leon, and Manny Jacinto. Forgotten Island is in theaters September 25. Buy tickets now on Fandango. https://fandan.co/46FoTZs To watch the movies discussed in this episode and more, head to https://stream.fandango.com 00:00 – Intro 00:30 – H.E.R. & Liza’s Paths to Forgotten Island 04:00 – Playing Best Friends: Jo & Raissa 06:35 – QUOTE 1: “My name ain’t Squeak. It’s Mary Agnes.” 07:35 – H.E.R. on Transitioning From Music to Acting 10:15 – QUOTE 2: “You’re a psych nurse, mom. Should you be saying ‘loony bin’?” 12:10 – What Liza Learned From Her Forgotten Island Character 14:05 – QUOTE 3: “I have just one question for you: Who let the dogs out?” 17:00 – Bringing Jo & Raissa’s Friendship to Life 20:35 – TRUE OR FALSE 1: Indigenous Filipino Instruments in Forgotten Island’s Score 21:45 – Filipino Folklore in Forgotten Island 23:30 – TRUE OR FALSE 2: Lea Salonga’s First Animated Speaking Role 24:45 – Lea Salonga, Dolly de Leon, & the “Filipino Avengers” 27:55 – What Forgotten Island Would Have Meant to H.E.R. & Liza as Kids 31:10 – TRUE OR FALSE 3: Animating Forgotten Island’s Plant Life 32:00 – Working With Directors Joel Crawford & Januel Mercado 33:20 – What Audiences Should Take Away From Forgotten Island 34:25 – RAPID FIRE: H.E.R. & Liza Soberano at the Movies A Universal Entertainment and Fandango Podcast Hosted By: Jacqueline Coley Created by: Dwight Caines Executive Producers: Dwight Caines, Fabian Castro Producer: Camille Holmes-Bonilla A Straw Hut Media Production Original Theme Music by Shirley Song