Jervi Ryan Lisaba (born August 9, 1992), also known as Jervi Li and better known by her stage name KaladKaren, is a Filipino actress, TV host, writer, endorser, impersonator, LGBT rights advocate, television personality and radio host most known for her impression of ABS-CBN News personality Karen Davila. She became the first transgender woman to win 'Best Supporting Actress' at the Summer Metro Manila Film Festival.
Education
Jervi graduated from the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City with magna cum laude honors and obtained a bachelor's degree in broadcast communication.
Career
In 2012, KaladKaren (credited by Jervi Li) was part of contestants as Team Amigas (with Saida Diola) and was the first transgender contestant to compete on the series The Amazing Race Philippines 1 on TV5. Still, she was 7th eliminated in Boracay, Aklan.
TV host and personality career
In 2016, Jervi impersonated Karen Davila in the Philippine presidential election, as part of a political satire event led by the University of the Philippines. She would be known as KaladKaren due to her portrayal.
She co-hosted the morning talk show of ABS-CBN Umagang Kay Ganda, and pioneered digital shows as presenter for Pilipinas Got Talent Exclusives, The Voice Kids Digi TV, The Voice Teens Digi TV and Trabahanap. She was also a mainstay of the program I Can See Your Voice and served as a resident judge on Drag Race Philippines.
Acting career
In 2011, KaladKaren (credited by Jervi Li) appeared in the GMA's comedy horror anthology Spooky Nights: Bampirella along with stars Marian Rivera, Mikael Daez, and Gelli de Belen.
In both 2023, KaladKaren would act in Here Comes the Groom which premiered at the 2023 Summer Metro Manila Film Festival. In the film, she portrayed Wilhelmina who was also a transwoman like herself. Her character switched bodies with Junior, the protagonist which was portrayed by Enchong Dee hence she had to act like a man for parts of the film to fulfill the role. She won the best supporting actress award for her role as Wilhelmina, becoming the second transwoman to win a best actress award in the Philippine film industry after Iyah Mina in 2018. She appeared in the iWantTFC miniseries such as Drag You & Me and Fit Check and is played by herself to make a supporting character was denoted by a cameo appearance in the drama-suspense thriller miniseries, Fractured, along with co-stars by Francine Diaz, Seth Fedelin, Jeremiah Lisbo, Kaori Oinuma, Raven Rigor, Sean Tristan, and Daniela Stranner.
Personal life
KaladKaren identifies as a transgender woman and advocate of LGBT rights. She has been engaged to boyfriend Luke Wrightson since 2020.