Liza Soberano Says ‘Forgotten Island’ Proves Her Hollywood Gamble Was Worth It

Liza Soberano is reflecting on one of the biggest decisions of her career as she prepares for the Philippine release of DreamWorks Animation’s “Forgotten Island.”

The actress, who stepped away from an established career in Philippine entertainment to pursue opportunities in the United States, said being cast in the animated film helped validate the risk she took. More importantly, Soberano hopes her experience encourages other Filipinos to believe that ambitious goals can be worth pursuing even when success is far from guaranteed.

Speaking in a recent vlog interview with veteran journalist Karen Davila, Soberano discussed the uncertainty surrounding her move toward Hollywood and what landing “Forgotten Island” now means to her.

Liza Soberano Reflects on Leaving Her Philippine Career

Soberano was already one of the Philippines’ best-known young stars when she decided to pursue a career in the United States.

That decision inevitably brought questions about why she would leave an established position in Philippine show business for a far less predictable path abroad.

Soberano acknowledged that she understood the risk.

For her, however, professional growth and the opportunity to keep learning outweighed the security of staying on a familiar career path.

She told Davila that getting the call confirming she had been cast in “Forgotten Island” felt especially meaningful because it gave her an opportunity to demonstrate why investing in a dream can be worthwhile.

“I knew the risk that I was taking at the time,” Soberano said, explaining that she values learning and growing both personally and professionally.

Her goal, she suggested, was never simply to preserve the success she already had. She wanted to find out how much further she could develop by pursuing opportunities outside her comfort zone.

‘Forgotten Island’ Marks a Major DreamWorks Role

That journey has now brought Soberano to DreamWorks Animation.

In “Forgotten Island,” Soberano voices Raissa opposite Grammy and Academy Award-winning artist H.E.R., who voices Jo.

The two characters are lifelong best friends approaching a major turning point in their lives when they are transported through a mysterious portal to the fantastical island of Nakali.

Their adventure draws heavily from Filipino culture, mythology and folklore.

The voice cast also includes Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, Ronny Chieng and Lea Salonga.

For Soberano, the project carries significance beyond simply adding a major Hollywood studio credit to her résumé. It also places Filipino characters, stories and cultural influences at the center of a large-scale animated production.

Soberano Wants Filipinos to ‘Keep Dreaming Big’

Soberano said living and working in the United States has also changed how she thinks about ambition.

One aspect of American culture she said she appreciates is what she described as a strong “dreamer mentality.”

According to Soberano, she has observed an environment where people are often encouraged to pursue their goals even when those ambitions initially appear unrealistic.

She contrasted that experience with what she believes some Filipinos encounter when discussing ambitious plans.

“I want to encourage people to keep dreaming big,” Soberano told Davila.

She suggested that a person’s current circumstances should not necessarily determine the limits of what they believe they can accomplish.

Her comments were framed around her own experience: leaving an established career, entering a different entertainment industry and accepting the uncertainty that came with starting a new chapter.

The Actress Says Growth Was Worth the Uncertainty

Soberano’s comments also offer more context around a career move that attracted significant public attention.

She moved to the United States in 2022 as she began pursuing opportunities in Hollywood.

Rather than describing that transition solely in terms of fame or career status, Soberano emphasized learning and personal development.

Her comments suggest that she measures the decision partly by whether it has allowed her to grow as an actor and as a person.

“Forgotten Island” now represents one of the clearest milestones from that transition.

Soberano has also previously discussed how closely she connected with Raissa. In other interviews promoting the movie, she has said there were parallels between the character’s experiences and events taking place in her own life.

That personal connection helped make the role particularly meaningful.

‘Forgotten Island’ Puts Filipino Culture at the Center

The upcoming animated adventure is notable for its strong Filipino influence.

DreamWorks describes “Forgotten Island” as the story of best friends Jo and Raissa, whose lives are about to move in different directions after high school.

After discovering a mysterious portal, they are transported to Nakali, a fantastical island populated by magical and mythological creatures inspired by stories from their Filipino families.

Their journey eventually forces them to confront a difficult price for returning home: the possibility of losing the memories of their friendship.

The movie is written and directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, with Mark Swift producing.

Alongside Soberano and H.E.R., the presence of performers including Lea Salonga, Dolly de Leon, Manny Jacinto and Jo Koy gives the film a notable roster of Filipino and Filipino-diaspora talent.

A Full-Circle Moment for Liza Soberano

Soberano’s return to the Philippines to promote “Forgotten Island” gives her Hollywood journey a full-circle quality.

Years after choosing a less certain path overseas, she is returning with a major DreamWorks project built substantially around Filipino characters, culture and folklore.

Her message to fans is not that taking a major career risk guarantees success.

Instead, her own experience has led her to emphasize the value of pursuing growth despite uncertainty.

For Soberano, landing “Forgotten Island” appears to represent something larger than another acting credit: it is evidence that leaving a comfortable position in pursuit of new possibilities can open doors that might otherwise remain unexplored.

“Forgotten Island” is scheduled to open in Philippine theaters on September 23, 2026. DreamWorks lists its U.S. theatrical release for September 25.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Liza Soberano pursue a career in Hollywood?

Soberano said she values learning and growing personally and professionally. Although she understood that pursuing opportunities in the United States involved uncertainty, she believed the potential for growth made the risk worthwhile.

Who does Liza Soberano play in “Forgotten Island”?

Soberano voices Raissa, one of the two central characters. H.E.R. voices Raissa’s lifelong best friend, Jo.

What is “Forgotten Island” about?

The DreamWorks animated adventure follows best friends Jo and Raissa as they are transported to the fantastical island of Nakali. Their journey incorporates Filipino folklore and mythology while exploring friendship, memories and major life changes.