Who Is Annika Co? Meet the Breakout Child Actress in "Sunshine"
The child star first went viral as a contestant on “It’s Showtime.”
Published on Dec 4, 2025
Annika Co is one of the youngest faces to make a splash on Netflix’s screens this year, thanks to her breakout turn in Sunshine. The child actress plays the mysterious girl who keeps appearing around Maris Racal’s character, an important thread in the film’s portrayal of a gymnast facing an unexpected pregnancy during national team tryouts.
Her performance has already sparked buzz online, leaving many viewers curious about the young talent. If you’re meeting her for the first time, here are five things to know about Annika Co.
Annika Co: Breakout Child Actress in "Sunshine"
1. Annika was born on September 23, 2016.
At just nine years old, Annika is already making waves in entertainment. Despite her young age, she’s on the way to building a growing résumé across television, film, and online content, proving early on that she’s more than ready to take on diverse roles.
2. She first won hearts on “It’s Showtime.”
Before joining film sets, Annika became a name to watch out for on It’s Showtime’s "Mini Ms. U," where she emerged as a daily winner in 2023. Host Anne Curtis was moved to tears after Annika delivered a spontaneous acting skit with Vice Ganda—complete with lines so sincere that Anne called them “so pure.” The moment quickly went viral, cementing Annika’s reputation as a naturally empathetic performer.
3. She’s officially part of Viva Artists Agency.
In August 2023, Annika signed with Viva Artists Agency, a move that marked her first step toward a full-fledged acting career. Viva welcomed her as one of its youngest new talents, highlighting her viral "Mini Ms. U" moment and early interest in performing. Her parents shared in an ANCX interview that they initially enrolled her in workshops to help her overcome shyness, a plan that turned into something bigger.
4. She’s already balancing TV, film, and online content.
Annika has appeared in the 2023 fantasy movie Penduko and the 2024 TV series Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa. Outside mainstream projects, she also creates family-supervised content on YouTube and has been featured on journalist Bernadette Sembrano’s channel.
5. She’s a singer as well as an actress.
Annika’s talents go beyond acting. On her Instagram, she shares covers of show-stopping numbers like "No Good Deed" from Wicked and "Over the Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz, showing a musical side that complements her on-screen work.
Kat is Preview's Lifestyle Editor, explorer, and occasional rhymer. When not globe-trotting, she's over her computer, writing her next big novel.