The 90s brought us a plethora of iconic movies, but few can claim the cult status of “Mortal Kombat.” Among its memorable cast was the ethereal Talisa Soto, who portrayed the captivating Princess Kitana.
With her mesmerizing beauty and fierce on-screen presence, Soto became an instant fan favorite. Yet, as the years passed and the Mortal Kombat franchise evolved, the name Talisa Soto began to fade from the Hollywood limelight.
Fans of the franchise and the actress alike have often wondered: Where did she go? What has she been up to since her days in Outworld?
In this article, we’ll journey beyond the realms of Mortal Kombat to uncover the real-world adventures of Talisa Soto, exploring her life post-Kitana and discovering what’s become of this beloved actress. Join us for a trip down memory lane and into the present day.
Background Information
Miriam Talisa Soto was born in Brooklyn, New York on March 27, 1967. Her parents, Hector and Clari Soto, were originally from Puerto Rico. They did not keep her and her three siblings in the Big Apple for very long. The family moved to Northampton, Massachusetts, which is where Soto would end up spending her formative years.
Modeling Career
As a teenager, Soto was supremely interested in the world of modeling. Her family kept her focus and priority on academics, so any shoots or opportunities that came about would have to be scheduled around school. She kicked off her modeling career at the age of 15, and signed with a modeling management agency called Click Models.
It did not take long for Soto’s work to take off in conjunction with some of the most impactful brands and publications in the world. She appeared in “Vogue” magazine not long after signing with the agency. Soto would appear in campaigns for Calvin Klein, Versace and Cartier, among many other companies. Her work was also featured in Mademoiselle, Self and Sports Illustrated, in addition to several other media outlets.
Acting Career
License To Kill
While her ascension in the modeling world was impressive, Soto was complimenting that with a similar meteoric rise in acting.
Not long after she began acting in 1988, she was cast as Lupe Lamora in the 1989 “License To Kill” film, which was the 16th movie in the James Bond series.
For a relative unknown in the cinematic space, Soto’s selection as a “Bond girl” in her early twenties was a huge deal.
Mortal Kombat
In the 1995 film “Mortal Kombat,” directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, Soto’s portrayal of Princess Kitana was both ethereal and fierce.
As the 10,000-year-old princess of Outworld, Kitana was initially portrayed as an adversary, loyal to the evil sorcerer Shang Tsung.
However, as the story unfolds, her true allegiance and destiny come to light. Soto masterfully balanced the character’s duality, showcasing Kitana’s inner turmoil between her loyalty to Outworld and her destiny to aid the Earthrealm warriors.
Following the success of the first film, Soto reprised her role in the 1997 sequel, “Mortal Kombat: Annihilation.”
While the sequel delved deeper into the lore of the Mortal Kombat universe, it also further explored Kitana’s backstory, especially her relationship with her mother, Sindel, and her struggle against the forces of the Outworld emperor, Shao Kahn.
The Brooklyn native also starred in Vampirella in 1996, based on a comic book about a heroine who is tasked with getting revenge for her stepfather’s death, and stopping evil forces from taking over the world. This project was sandwiched in between her roles in the Mortal Kombat films.
After her iconic portrayal of Princess Kitana in the “Mortal Kombat” series, Talisa Soto continued to act in a variety of small roles.
In 1999, she appeared in “Flypaper” and followed it up with roles in films like “Flight of Fancy” and “Island of the Dead” in 2000.
The same year, she also played Marisabel in “That Summer in LA” and took on the role of Sugar in “Piñero” in 2001. One of Soto’s last acting credit came in “Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever” in 2002, where she played VinnRayne.
What is Talisa Soto Doing Now?
In March 2022, Benjamin Bratt revealed on the TODAY show that his wife, Talisa Soto had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Based on reported updates from a couple months ago, Soto’s treatments were going well, and was even deemed cancer free in March.
With the support of her family, she is determined to ensure that she stays that way so she can get back to living her normal life.
During this ordeal, she stressed the importance of women getting tested annually for cancer and other maladies to ensure that any serious health issues are identified and dealt with immediately.
Family Life
Talisa Soto has been married twice in her life. She first tied the knot with Australian-Greek actor Costas Mandylor in the late 1990’s. Their nuptials only lasted for three years, as the couple would end up getting divorced in 2000.
Shortly thereafter, Soto would end up in a relationship that continues on to this very day. She would fall in love with another actor, this time American born Benjamin Bratt, and the two would end up getting married in 2002. He’s been in a plethora of well known movies and television shows, such as “Miss Congeniality”, “Traffic” and “Law and Order”.
They initially met in 1993, while they were auditioning for the movie “Blood In Blood Out.” Soto and Bratt’s paths crossed again in 2001, when they met prior to the filming of “Pinero”.
In a recent appearance on the “Today with Hoda & Jenna” show, Benjamin Bratt, the star of “Poker Face,” opened up about the enduring love and bond he shares with his wife, actress Talisa Soto.
The couple, who have been married for over 20 years, continue to cherish each other deeply, with Bratt confessing that he remains as enamored with Soto as he was when they first met.
Bratt shared the secret to their lasting relationship, stating, “The secret is, we just dig each other.” He emphasized the mutual respect they hold for one another and highlighted their children as the focal point of their lives.
He affectionately described Soto as someone who constantly makes him laugh, is caring, and never fails to remind him of his good fortune in having her by his side. This heartfelt revelation led to an emotional moment on the show, with host Hoda Kotb becoming visibly moved by Bratt’s words.
Adding a touch of humor to the conversation, Bratt playfully remarked on Soto’s stunning beauty, asking, “And by the way, have you seen my wife? She’s a beauty!”
Soto and Bratt have two children together, a daughter and a son. Mateo Bravery came into the world in 2005 as a healthy baby.
However, his older sister, Sophia Rosalinda, had some challenging health problems, which initiated a dark time for the family.
When she was born in 2002, the little girl suffered an unfortunate brain injury which caused subsequent physical disabilities.
Despite these tough circumstances, Sophia Rosalinda Bratt has found success as an actress in her adolescent years.
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