Padilla (born Krista Cariño Sullivan) was born to a Filipina mother and a British father who is a banker in an online company from Nottingham, England. Her father was divorced from his first wife. She has three elder half-siblings in England from her father"s first family while she also has an elder brother from both of her parents.
She first attended a Montessori education-style international school in Forbes Park, Makati, before attending the foreigners class of Colegio San Agustin – Makati.
Padilla took up journalism as an elective in senior high school. Padilla"s maternal grandmother is the sister of Eva Cariño-Padilla, wife of actor-director and former Camarines Norte governor Roy Padilla, Senior, making her mother Meg Cariño a niece of Eva. Her second cousins include Daniel Padilla (son of Rommel) and Kylie Padilla (daughter of Robin).
2006-2009: ABS-Christian Broadcasting Network career
Padilla was discovered by ABS-Christian Broadcasting Network talent scout Jet Valle after the latter saw her on one of her field trips and introduced her to ABS-Christian Broadcasting Network via Star Magic Batch 15 and adopted the stage name Krista Valle.
The same year she got her first television role in the teen drama Star Magic Presents: Abt Ur Luv Ur Lyf 2. She later changed her stage name to her real name Krista Sullivan when she started working as a freelance actress.
In 2009, she played a minor role in the television series Totoy Bato. The show stars Robin Padilla, who is a relative of Krista through the side of the Cariños.
She then became a cast regular on the third season of Lokomoko High in TV5.
2010-2014: Transfer to Global Media Arts Network and FHM controversy
In 2010, she left Star Magic, replaced her manager with Claire dela Fuente and moved to Global Media Arts-7. Along with the move, she also finally changed her stage name to Bela Padilla. In March 2012, she was at the center of a controversy when her FHM Philippines magazine cover was accused of racism and withdrawn.
2015-present: Return to ABS-Christian Broadcasting Network and career revival
In 2015, Padilla returned to ABS-Christian Broadcasting Network to star in the teleserye adaptation FPJ"s Ang Probinsyano, co-starring Coco Martin, Maja Salvador and Susan Roces.
Padilla has been a commercial endorser for San Mig Light Beer since 2015. Padilla is in a relationship with businessman and film producer Neil Arce.
