BIOGRAPHY
Reena Tolentino is a multidisciplinary Filipino-American artist, storyteller, and cultural visionary whose work bridges fine art, film, fashion, and social activism.
Raised in Hollywood by a resilient single mother, Reena's journey is deeply rooted in the immigrant experience, perseverance, and a fierce devotion to creative expression. Trained at the renowned Playhouse West under the philosophies of Lee Strasberg, Stella Adler, and Sanford Meisner, her career began on screen, with standout appearances in Married With Children, iCarly, and a debut performance alongside the late Aaliyah in Journey to the Past. She later became a recognizable face in global campaigns for Adidas, Nike and Coca-Cola.
Reena's transition from actress to multimedia artist was marked by the launch of her acclaimed Reena Clone Blog series, through which she explored storytelling through writing, editing, and production. Holding a BA degree in Communication Studies, she has been honored with numerous awards, including the Astronaut of the Year Award, Young Ambassadors Award, Women of Worth Award, and is celebrated for her work at the intersection of science, art, and emotional connection.
Her art installations—spanning Los Angeles, Berlin, Miami and Hong Kong—reflect a dynamic blend of pop culture and emotional abstraction, with works including public tributes to Kobe Bryant. Reena's creations are a staple of international street art and gallery scenes.
A milestone moment in her career came when she made history as the first Pacific Islander contemporary painter to speak at Cambridge University’s Conference on Human Analog Space Missions, where she presented her catalog Quantum Entanglement—a collection inspired by the physics principle describing how two particles, once connected, remain linked across space and time. In Reena’s interpretation, this concept mirrors the unseen but enduring connection between human beings, art, and romance.
Today, Reena continues to evolve her practice, expanding into sculpture and fashion design while curating immersive art experiences. Her work is as much about human connection as it is about aesthetics.
She is also the founder of the ARTE Youth Program, a transformative initiative bridging art and S.T.E.A.M. education for underserved youth in the U.S. and the Philippines—empowering the next generation through creativity, healing, and opportunity.
Ad Astra!
Did you know Reena is related to the first Filipina Silver Screen Actress Felly Franquelli?
Reena's Great Grand Aunt, Fely Franquelli, was " HOLLYWOOD'S ONLY FILIPINO ACTRESS". She played the important role of Luisite in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production of "Cry Havoc". the all-feminine cast is headed by Margaret Sullivan, Ann Southern, Marsha Hunt, Joan Blondell and Fey Beinter. It was directed by Richard Thorpe, produced by Edwin Knopf.
