Julia Barretto responded to accusations of being ungrateful to the Kapamilya network after leaving Star Magic for Viva Artists Agency.
During the zoom conference arranged by her new management to the members of the media, Julia slammed her critics saying she will always be grateful to ABS-CBN and Star Magic which has been her home ever since she started her showbiz career.
“Close ba sila sa akin? How should they know what I feel? Hindi matatanggal sa akin ang gratefulness and my gratitude sa Star Magic. Malaki ang utang na loob ko sa kanila. Hindi dahil sa nag-change ako ng management ibig sabihin hindi na ako grateful. That’s a misconception. People should also change, ‘di ba.”
“Mula nine years old sila na ang naging pamilya ko. But you know what I love about by being with Star Magic and being handled by Mr. M (Johnny Manahan) and Ms. Mariole (Alberto) because there was never once that they ever stop you from making a decision that you think may be good for yourself,” Julia said.
In addition, Julia also acknowledged the help of Star Magic especially Mr. M and Ms. Mariole Alberto whom she said has always been there to support her and her decisions.
‘”They will be my family up until hanggang sa huli. At forever akong grateful kina Mr. M and Ms. Mariole because hanggang ngayong araw, hanggang kaninang umaga, nakausap ko sila, si Ms. Mariole and they’re very supportive and they always backed me up kahit anong desisyon ‘yan.”
‘’They will always be where they think na ikabubuti mo, ikabubuti ng karera mo. And naiintindihan nila ang naging desisyon ko kasi magiging iba na rin ang magiging pakiramdam sa akin lalo na at wala na sila sa Star Magic.”
“So siyempre for me, Star Magic is what it is today because of the two of them. We’re supportive and very understanding of me trying to make a decision for myself especially na they are both moving forward na also.”
On Wednesday, September 30, Julia officially announced that she’s with Viva Artists Agency already.
According to Julia, the biggest deciding factor of leaving Star Magic and transferring to Viva was Johnny Manahan and Mariole Alberto.
“When I made the decision to make the move to Viva, of course ang mga una ko talagang kinausap ay si Miss Mariole and Mr. M. Bakit? Dahil sila po ang head ng Star Magic. Bilang sila po ang head ng Star Magic, sa kanila po ako nagpaalam,” she said.
“Actually, si Tita Mariole kasi nag-announce siya ng retirement niya sa December (2020), a few months back na rin, kami-kami palang ang nakakaalam sa Star Magic, so, iyon talaga ang mga oras na you know, I really took some time to really think and pray.”
“Nag-pray talaga ako nang matindi para tulungan akong malaman kung ano pa ‘yung posibleng tahakin ko sa karera ko.”
“But like I’ve said, they were always guiding me, hindi naman months, siguro a few weeks lang na usapan pagpa-plano at saka few weeks din na makapag-isip ako.”
Julia started her career at ABS-CBN in 2006 via Gulong ng Palad. Some of her most notable projects with the Kapamilya network were Kokey, Palos, Mirabella, A Love To Last and her last teleserye Ngayon at Kailanman.
She also starred in the iWant series I Am U.