Julie Anne revels in her own rhythm

“I like to challenge myself with different beats and different genres.”

This is how Julie Anne San Jose approaches her personal life and the way she does her music: Always giving her best shot. 

The Asia’s Pop Sweetheart turned 25 last May 17. As she celebrates her breakthroughs, she accounts her growth not just by her age but through every experience she had and every lesson she learned.

In her latest composition and chart-topping single, Regrets, the GMA Artist Center star bared her soul and proved that even though life may have its ups and downs, she is where she needs to be.

To say that she is multitalented is an understatement. She has been performing almost all of her life. She plays several instruments, writes her own songs and shows off dynamic grooves and powerhouse vocals.

The Kapuso singer, TV host and actress has her star power shining in her field. 

She relived her humble beginnings in show business, “Well, si lola kasi sobrang mahilig siya sa artista. She persuaded me to become a singer someday. Sumali ako ng Little Miss Philippines at three years old, sinasabi niya na I have a potential. So I took voice lessons for six months. I started singing at two and a half and I think I was born to create music. God given talaga, thank you, Lord.”

She continued, “It’s still surreal. Sobrang unexpected ng mga pangyayari. Nag-mo-mall lang kami ni Mama, nag-audition ako and then hindi ko i-ne-expect na matatanggap ako hanggang nagtuloy tuloy na. I am very grateful.”

Currently, she brings show-stopping numbers to GMA Network’s musical variety show, Studio 7, every Sunday. She is also one of the mainstays of Sunday PinaSaya, the country’s No. 1 comedy-musical variety program and award-winning weekend comedy sitcom, Pepito Manaloto.

She is also set to headline the second leg of the Kapuso concerts called The Sweetheart and the Balladeer: Fun Night Only with Christian Bautista on July 6 at The Atrium, Limketkai Center

Julie has also showcased her talent in a series of successful local and international concerts.

Last May 11, she brought world-class entertainment to Kapuso abroad via Kapusong Pinoy Studio 7 Musikalye sa Brooklyn, together with fellow Kapuso artists.

She is set to headline the second leg of the Kapuso concerts called The Sweetheart and the Balladeer: Fun Night Only with Asia’s Romantic Balladeer Christian Bautista on July 6 at The Atrium, Limketkai Center, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro.

And on July 20, she will be gracing The Theatre at Solaire for her concert Julie Sings the Divas.

“Kinakabahan ako. There’s gonna be an orchestra, which I’m really excited about. I’ve never done this before sa past concerts ko so this is going to be a first time. I’ve always wanted to do something like that ever since. I’m nervous about it. I’m not really a biritera but I’ll try and I’ll do my best! I’m taking voice lessons and dance lessons, too. It helps kasi sa breathing din and sa stance,” she talked about her upcoming concert. 

With a number of TV shows, platinum-selling albums, successful concerts and a Communication Arts degree under her belt, Julie is undeniably an inspiration to many. She is an epitome of grit and grace.

When asked if there’s anything she advises young singers in achieving their dreams, she shares, “Just keep on singing. When it’s your time, dumarating naman yan. As much as possible, try to innovate, explore your capabilities or whatever your capacities are. Just try learning new things.”

All eyes are on Julie’s next move as she makes a mark in the music scene but is there anything else she wants to pursue?

“There are still so many things I want to accomplish. I want to study again, take up my master’s degree and probably teach. I also want to try Broadway. I want to try theater.  Here muna siguro in the Philippines and then hopefully, do something abroad. Who knows, right?”