James Reid emerged as the big winner of “Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Clash 2010” when he was only 17 years old. He rose to prominence playing the lead in the film “Diary ng Panget,” and then became a phenomenon when Vic del Rosario paired him with Nadine Lustre.
Soon after, the “JaDine” love team was delighting countless fans not only in movies, but in teleseryes and concerts. In 2016, they officially announced that they were a couple. In January 2020, just before the global pandemic lockdown, they announced their split. JaDine fans were crushed by the breakup and were in disbelief when Reid decided to take a break from showbusiness.
And now, four years later, some good news for his fans: James Reid is back. Read this exclusive interview to learn what the showbiz hiatus was like for the handsome entertainer, what his career plans are for 2025 and beyond, and where his heart is right now.
Why did you take a four-year break from showbusiness?
“It was in 2020, there was a lot of pressure and lots of expectations. I was very young then and I wasn’t sure what I wanted and how to handle things. I didn’t know myself so much. Maybe because I was part of a loveteam, I was always one half of a whole. I wanted to find out who I really am outside of a loveteam. I wanted to work on my music, and music is very personal to me. It’s my story, unlike acting, which is a collaborative effort from the script writing, to the acting, etc.”
Did you experience depression while you were taking a break from showbiz? How were you then?
“It was actually the reverse. It was when I was in showbiz that I was depressed. I couldn’t handle the fame, the fortune and the attention. I never thought that I was going to be in showbusiness. I was always a shy kid from Sydney, Australia. I just got thrown in…I was in ‘Pinoy Big Brother’ and things just snowballed… it was too much too soon. I think it was ‘quarter life crisis’ and not many can relate to what I was going through. Being part of a loveteam was very demanding, most specially the invasion of privacy. I just wanted to be anonymous for a while. I wanted to focus on my music.”
Were you happy when you took a break?
“Yes. I found time to create my music, to find myself. I was able to go to Los Angeles and meet with people from the music industry, to observe how they work. I had time to travel, spend time with my family and friends and fall in love.” (James is in a relationship with Issa Pressman.)
How are you and Issa helping each other with your respective careers? Do you have plans to settle down soon?
“To be honest, it’s not easy for JaDine fans to see me with someone else but eventually they need to accept it. It’s reality. I hope people will see what a sweet girl Issa is but at the same time, we don’t need to prove anything to anyone. It’s not a showbiz relationship which is tough to go through, which Nadine and I experienced. But I am happy for Nadine…she has found a long-term relationship as well. Eventually, the noise will die down.”
What can we expect from James Reid 2.0?
“I had a great career. We were able to reach unprecedented heights that I never imagined. It was just me and my perspective, who I was at that time, that I couldn’t handle it. The fans were more interested in our personal life, there were no boundaries… it was too much. But now I feel like I have defined myself in a way where it does not affect me any longer. There is a part of me that cannot be touched.
“My fans can expect more. I just released this new EP (extended play) album jgh (No. 1 in iTunes now) which features six songs I created from the heart. I am already working on my full-length album to be released next year. I will also be shooting a teleserye with Dreamscape to be aired on ABS-CBN soon. There’s also a Netflix series that’s in the pipeline, which might air in 2026.
“I don’t think I can do another loveteam anymore. I want to work with other actresses and actors. As for my music, I’m more into the pop R&B, and I always sing about love.”
Are you still focused on penetrating the international music scene like Billy Crawford?
“Right now, I just want to concentrate on where my heart is right now, which is music. I want to work with different Filipino artists. I love writing music. I’m not thinking too much on what the outcome should be. What’s important is that I am very involved in the project and enjoying the process. Before, I was so focused on going international that it gave me undue pressure. Now, I will just go with the flow.”
When did you decide that you wanted to go back to show business?
“Let’s just say I was getting advice from the wrong people that led me to the wrong path. Finally, when they were gone, I was able to work exclusively with people that I love and trust. I am in a good place right now, and I’d like to go back to acting.”