Phillipa Soo

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Phillipa Soo – Life, Career, and Impact

Phillipa Soo (b. May 31, 1990) is an American actress and singer best known as the original Eliza Hamilton in Hamilton. Discover her journey, major roles, and influence.

Introduction

Phillipa Soo is a dynamic performer whose blend of vocal strength, emotional depth, and stage presence has made her a standout in contemporary musical theatre. She first gained widespread recognition for originating the role of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton in the Broadway phenomenon Hamilton, and has since taken on a broad mix of theatrical and screen roles. Her career weaves together artistry, representation, and a commitment to storytelling that resonates across audiences.

Early Life and Background

Phillipa Anne Soo was born on May 31, 1990 in Libertyville, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.

She is of mixed heritage: her father is Chinese American (his parents emigrated from China), and her mother has roots in southern Illinois and is involved in the arts.

Her mother often took her to theatrical productions when Phillip was young, which cultivated her early interest in performance.

Phillipa attended Libertyville High School from 2004 to 2008. She then trained in the performing arts and was accepted into the Juilliard School—she graduated in 2012 from Juilliard’s acting program.

Career & Major Roles

Early Stage & Breakthrough

Right after Juilliard, she landed a role as Natasha Rostova in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, an Off-Broadway production. That role helped her build her reputation in the theater community.

Her big breakthrough came when she joined Hamilton. She was asked to read the role of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton in an early workshop and eventually originated the role off-Broadway and then on Broadway. For her performance, she was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 2016. She also won a Grammy Award as part of the Hamilton cast album for Best Musical Theater Album. In 2020, the Hamilton stage film (on Disney+) gave her an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie.

Other Theatrical & Stage Work

Beyond Hamilton, Soo’s theatre credits include:

• Title role in Amélie (on Broadway)

• Rebecca in The Parisian Woman (2017–18)

• Cinderella in Into the Woods (Broadway revival, 2022)

• Guenevere in Camelot (2023 revival)

• Role of Inez Milholland in Suffs (2022)

These choices reflect her range: from musical leads to plays, from classical to contemporary.

Screen Appearances & Television

Soo’s on-screen work spans animation, film, and television:

• She had a recurring role in NBC’s Smash in 2013.

• She was cast in the CBS drama The Code (2019).

• TV roles in Dopesick (Hulu) and Shining Girls (Apple TV+)

• In 2024, she stars in Doctor Odyssey (ABC) in a principal role.

• Her film roles include The Broken Hearts Gallery (2020), One True Loves (2023, where she was also executive producer), and voice work in Over the Moon (animation)

Philanthropy & Advocacy

Inspired by her role as Eliza, Soo launched The Eliza Project, in collaboration with Graham Windham (the first private orphanage in New York City). The project provides acting, dance, and rap workshops to students at the Graham School. She frames its mission as using the arts to uplift creativity, personal experience, and expression.

Personal Life

Phillipa Soo became engaged to actor Steven Pasquale in February 2016. They married on September 24, 2017.

She and Pasquale have worked together professionally—for example, in The Code.

She also practices Transcendental Meditation and adopted a dog, “Billie,” for her 30th birthday.

Style, Themes & Impact

Phillipa Soo is admired for:

• Emotional authenticity: her performances are noted for combining vocal precision with emotional truth.

• Representation: as an actress of mixed heritage, she contributes to broader diversity on Broadway and beyond.

• Versatility: she moves comfortably between musical theatre, plays, film, TV, and voice work.

• Commitment to art as empowerment: her Eliza Project shows how art can be a tool for personal and communal transformation.

Memorable Remarks

Here are a few notable quotes and reflections attributed to Phillipa Soo (or reported in interviews):

• Soo once said she chooses roles not by gender but by “this character, this role … is interesting to me, and I relate to it in some way.”

• In interviews about Hamilton, she has emphasized her desire for audiences to feel Eliza’s humanity, struggles, and strength.

Lessons from Phillipa Soo’s Journey

1. Training matters—but opportunities make the difference
   Her Juilliard foundation gave her craft; roles like Great Comet and Hamilton offered the platform.

2. Authenticity resonates
   Her emotional connection to characters helps audiences believe and care.

3. Artistic voice can build bridges
   Through The Eliza Project, she gives others access to creative expression.

4. Versatility expands longevity
   She does not limit herself to one medium or type of role, which helps her stay dynamic and relevant.

5. Representation is powerful
   Her presence as a person of mixed heritage leading major musicals helps diversify storytelling in theatre.

Conclusion

Phillipa Soo is a shining example of how talent, dedication, and heart can combine to make a significant impact in contemporary performance. From Hamilton to Into the Woods, from TV to philanthropy, her path continues to be built with intention, empathy, and courage.