About Me

When Daniella was three, her mom, Elisa Dela Peña, took the chance of bringing her outgoing daughter to a casting for a children's agency. There were many children eager to get their chance in front of the camera and become the next face of a big commercial. To her mom's surprise, Daniella was not one of them. In fact, (according to Elisa) she cried the entire time trying her best to get out of the situation. One may even say it was the first spark to her acting career. 

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Fast forward many years later, Daniella Dela Peña is now a Toronto based Filipina-Canadian actress, singer, and creator best known for her role as Alice in Hallmark’s Christmas CEO opposite to Marisol Nichols (Riverdale) and has starred in numerous commercials for brands such as Hyundai, Best Buy, and Jollibee. Daniella also plays the role of Gwen Garcia in the upcoming Amazon Prime and Apple TV (US) vampire comedy web series, Ezra, premiering October 2022.

 

As an artist with no limits, Daniella’s involvements within the entertainment industry have quickly been accelerating through works in theatre, film, and television. One of them being Amazon Prime’s upcoming series, Ezra, which she landed only within months of graduating from University of Toronto and Sheridan College's bridged Theatre & Drama Studies program in 2021. This is Daniella’s first time as a series lead portraying Gwen Garcia: Ezra Grey’s Filipina goth-girl-gone-trendy best friend who has no issues taking matters into her own hands. As a first generation immigrant, she is passionate about merging her artistry with her Filipino culture that has heavily influenced her identity today (making her role as Gwen all the more rewarding).

 

Since the age of five, Daniella’s love for performing has naturally bloomed through various mediums. Thanks to a push of tough love from her parents, she has been fortunate to have training in ballet, piano, and conservatory singing. From then on, she has grown a craving for more opportunities in the spotlight, to try new things, and continuously be an absorbent sponge in any creative space. 

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With an eager drive to take on new successes, Daniella is looking forward to growing as an artist as she continues to make discoveries about herself and this industry of endless possibilities. 

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Artistic career aside, Daniella enjoys reading rom-com novels that fill her with butterflies, contemporary dance, and taking her dog, Nala, on adventures to new places. She also credits her parents, especially her dad, for influencing her all-time favourite films and figures to this day. These include The Sound of Music, Beauty and the Beast, The Beatles, and the legendary Vince Carter. Daniella's additional inspirations include Zendaya, Sandra Oh, Michelle Yeoh, Mia Coroza, Vince Magcalas, and Christina Orjalo.

 

Daniella is the older sister of Diana Kate Dela Peña who is a retired gymnast and two-time Eastern Canadian Champion. Her parents are Zosimo (Bay) and Elisa Dela Peña who immigrated to Toronto from the Philippines in the late 1990s. Fun fact: they are a year a part, but have the same birthday! Daniella would like to thank her loved ones for supporting her passions and for inspiring her everyday. She is eternally grateful for each and every one of them.

 

Make sure to tune-in to Ezra this October 2022 on OUTtv starring Daniella as Gwen Garcia!

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