Paolo Montalban
Paolo Montalban, the one of the most guapo celebrities in entertainment today! There is not one girl who can't resist his beautiful eye, soft voice, perfect Filipino skin, boyish smile and such a built body! He started his acting career when he became a part of the Broadway production of The King and I. He played a minor role until he became the understudy for the lead role played by Lou Diamond Phillips, another Filipino American actor. He later then auditioned for the tele-movie of Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. After Disney auditioned over 700 actors for the role of the prince, they finally decided that Paolo was perfect for the job. He played the role of the handsome prince in search for a soulmate, Cinderella played by the young African American singer, Brandy. Also starring in the movie were celebrities such as Whitney Houston, Bernadette Petters, Jason Alexander, Victor Garber and Whoopie Goldberg.
Paolo as the prince in Cinderella
Born in the Philippines, Paolo is one of two children. The Montalban family moved to America when Paolo was just one year old. He lived in an apartment in Manhattan, and then in New Jersey, where he grew up in a neighborhood surrounded by mostly Filipinos. He grew up in a musical family: His father played the Piano, two aunts studied the violin and piano at Julliard and his mother was involved in the theater while a student at St. Paul's College in Manila. Like many other Filipino American kids, he learned how to play the piano, as well as the violin and saxophone. And like many Filipino American kids, he doesn't play anymore. When Paolo was attending grade school, auditioned for his school's production of Oliver and got the lead role.
Paolo graduated with a pre-med. course at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. After graduation, he had his eyes set on Broadway. His parents only wish was for him to get a college degree, which he did. However, after he got his diploma, he went straight for Broadway. His parents did support him in his decision primarily because he had a New York agent during his last year in college, which shortly after signing with him, he got his first professional job on a national tour with Man of La Mancha.
Paolo in New York
Paolo's success has convinced many Filipinos that he is the next best thing to happen to them since Lea Salunga. In a interview, he laughs saying "I wouldn't put myself in the same scale. She's a star, I'm just a guy." Though he may think he is just a guy, he too is considered a star to many people.
Paolo understands the unadvantages being a Asian actor in Hollywood. There isn't much in Hollywood as a Stereotypical Asian who knows Kung-fu, who's a gangster or delinquent, or a wise munk of some sort. Still, nothing is stopping him. In the mean time, he's busy auditioning for other roles and relaxing playing video games and watching the cartoon channel.
