Julia Montes

Early life and background Mara Hautea Schnittka was born on March 19, 1995, in Pandacan, Manila, Philippines, to a Filipino mother, Gemma Hautea, and German father, Martin Schnittka. Schnittka left them when Montes was still a baby, and only her deaf mother raised her with the help of her grandmother, Flory Hautea. She has two younger brothers, Patrick and Paolo. She describes education as one of the tools to have a good life and she hopes to continuously work not just for herself but for her family as well. According to Kantar Media, the pilot episode of the series received over 27% TV ratings, becoming the most watched weekend show. After four episodes, the series was discontinued following the global shutdown due to COVID-19 pandemic. In September 2020, she enrolled in an online class at the Southville International School and Colleges. The following year, she joined the casts of the long-running series Ang Probinsyano as Mara. In September 2022, Cornerstone Entertainment announced that Montes will be starring with Arjo Atayde and Sid Lucero in the action-thriller movie Topakk. The film was first screened at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in France and premiered on the 76th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland.

In October 2023, Montes starred with Alden Richards in the romantic drama film Five Breakups and a Romance. Her portrayal was met with praises from the critics, with Villanueva of Manila Standard noting that both leads gave "compelling performances" which helped elevate the film. The film has earned ₱30 million at the local box-office during its first week.

Personal life In June 2015, Montes completed a culinary course at the Center for Culinary Arts, Manila along with her fellow actress Yam Concepcion.

In December 2017, Montes was reunited with her birth father, Martin Schnittka, at Bellini's, Cubao, Quezon City. At the time, Montes would have been sixteen years old while Martin was thirty.

Reception and acting style Montes has been described in the media as one of the most talented actresses of her generation,

Montes says that she finds it fitting for people to give her mature roles since she "acts and looks a lot more mature" than her age and most girls of her age.