Talisa Soto (born Miriam Talisa Soto; March 27, 1967) is an American actress and former model. Soto is perhaps best known for portraying Princess Kitana in the 1995 fantasy action film Mortal Kombat and its 1997 sequel Mortal Kombat: Annihilation. Soto also starred as Lupe Lamora in the 1989 James Bond film Licence to Kill. Prior to her acting career, Soto began her career as a model; appearing in magazine issues such as Mademoiselle, Glamour and Elle.
Born Miriam Talisa Soto in Brooklyn, New York, Soto was the youngest of four children of parents who moved from Puerto Rico. During her early childhood, her parents moved to Northampton, Massachusetts, where Soto and her siblings were raised and educated.
At age 15, Soto signed with Click Model Management and began modeling during summer vacations. Weeks after being signed, she traveled to Paris where she appeared in a layout for Vogue shot by Bruce Weber. Soto returned to Northampton after the summer to resume her schooling and would continue to model on occasion until she graduated from high school. She later appeared on the covers of American and British Vogue, British Elle, Mademoiselle, Glamour and Self magazines. Soto has been featured in advertising campaigns for Calvin Klein, Cartier, Clarins, Revlon, Salvatore Ferragamo, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Versace. Soto also appeared in her first music video with former boyfriend Nick Kamen, Madonna's song "Each Time You Break My Heart", directed by Tony Viramontes. Soto and Kamen were often used as models by Ray Petri: the late fashion stylist and creator of the 1980s London "Buffalo Boy" look.