Talisa Soto been in front of a camera for the better part of the last 40 years. From her scintillating modeling work featured in print, to her memorable performances on the big screen, Soto blossomed into one of the most talented individuals in the world.
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
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.
Soto also kicked butt(literally) in the 1990’s Mortal Kombat movies, where she played the fierce Princess Kitana. The films not only did well at the box office, but the franchise was immensely popular in video game format as well. There was discussion of Soto making an appearance in a 2021 reboot of the movie, but that did not materialize.
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.
Personal Obstacles
Earlier this year, it was revealed that the former movie star was 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”.
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.
Current Projects
It’s unclear what Soto might currently be working on, but she is undoubtedly prioritizing her health first.
On her Instagram account, she posted a congratulatory message in September 2021 to her husband and brother in law for directing and hosting “Corazon De America”.
This program aired on ABC and was a celebration of Latin culture. It is not certain whether Soto herself was involved in the project.
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