Iza Calzado

Maria Izadora Ussher Calzado (born August 12, 1982) is a Filipina actress, TV host and model, who previously worked as one of GMA-7's homegrown contract artists. After ten years, Iza signed an exclusive contract with ABS-CBN. Iza also signed a non-exclusive contract with Star Cinema. Early life Born Maria Izadora Ussher Calzado, she was named after the dancer, Isadora Duncan. Her father is the late Lito Calzado, a choreographer and a TV director and her mother was Irish-Spanish-Filipina, Mary Ann Ussher. Calzado 's Eldest brother, Dash Calzado, is a member of Legit Misfitz, a 90's Pinoy rap group. She finished elementary at School of the Holy Spirit and she finished high school in Miriam College and then went on to take her undergraduate degree in Fine Arts at the University of Santo Tomas. Carrer ​Before entering show business, she worked as a dubber for a Mexicanovela. Calzado started out as a guest teen star in the show, Click, which led to further roles. She participated in the drama Kung Mawawala Ka as the soap's villain, Phoebe Valiente and starred in her first soap opera,Te Amo, Maging Sino Ka Man and was paired with Argentinean actor, Segundo Cernadas. In 2005, she played the role of Amihan, the Queen of goddesses in Encantadia. In 2006, she starred in Moments of Love, wherein she played the role of Divina Buenacer and starred alongside Dingdong Dantes and Karylle. In 2007, she starred in "Batanes: Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan" of Ignite Media Films, here, she worked with Taiwanese actor Ken Zhu and director, Adolf Alix. She also starred in Impostora. On January 18, 2008, Iza Calzado won the Model Star Award from the Korea Asia Model Award Festival. Calzado reprised her role in The Echo, the English-language remake of Filipino director Yam Laranas’ horror film Sigaw. Calzado starred in One True Love which was released on November 19, 2008. In 2009, she starred in All About Eve. That same year, she hosted the Binibining Pilipinas 2009 Pageant. On February 28, 2010, she began appearing in Healthy Cravings on QTV-11 with Chef Jeremy Favia. She also appeared in Party Pilipinas. Also, in 2010, Calzado made her first appearance in a two-piece bikini for her TV series, Beauty Queen, with TJ Trinidad as her leading man. She also made appearances on Pilyang Kerubin, also with TJ Trinidad. In August 2010, she also began appearing as co-host with Lucy Torres on The Sweet Life on Q. In 2011, she also began hosting Showbiz Exclusives on GMA News TV. Her last appearance as a GMA contract artist was in the sitcom, Andres de Saya. On January 24, 2012, Iza signed a three-year exclusive contract with ABS-CBN making her a certified Kapamilya. She is set to host the second season of The Biggest Loser: Pinoy Edition replacing Sharon Cuneta. She will also make an appearances in Maalaala Mo Kaya to celebrate her 10th year in showbiz. Today, she can also be seen on the Sunday variety show, ASAP. As an ABS-CBN contract artist, she starred in her first drama series Kahit Puso'y Masugatan, wherein she starred alongside Andi Eigenmann, Jake Cuenca and Gabby Concepcion. In 2014, she stars in the family drama Hawak Kamay with Piolo Pascual, Zaijian Jaranilla, Xyriel Manabat and Andrea Brillantes.