James Reid, 30, clarifies that there’s no truth to speculations that he and Issa Pressman, 28, have broken up.
The breakup rumor started after eagle-eyed netizens noticed that they unfollowed each other on Instagram early this week.
However, on November 12, 2023, the two followed back each other again on IG.
Read: James Reid and Issa Pressman follow each other again on Instagram
Talking about the breakup rumor, he said, “That’s not true.”
James was interviewed via Zoom by a select group of entertainment reporters including PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal).
James went on to say that he and Issa were just checking how to block someone on Instagram when they happen to unfollow each other.
“Do you ever have that thing where suddenly you’re unfollowing someone?
“Then, she told me that if someone blocks you and unblocks you, you won’t know. Automatically, you’re unfollowing.
“I tried it. But then, afterwards, we forgot to follow back, so we stayed unfollowed.”
This led fans of James and Issa into thinking that their relationship is on the rocks.
As for how he reacted to fans worrying about him and Issa, James said, “Then, my team was calling me, ‘What happened? What happened?’ I said, ‘Why?’ ‘It’s all over the news.’
“I’m like, ‘What is?’ and I wondered, how did they know that I went down one follower? I’m impressed at how the fans are really, you know, they stay updated with everything.”
James then assured reporters, including PEP.ph, that there’s nothing to worry about.
Speaking about the status of his relationship with Issa, he said, “Yes, of course, everything’s been going on really well.”
He also described Issa as “the majority of that happiness” that he has right now.
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JAMES REID AND WHAT’S NEXT FOR CARELESS
Another thing that gives him ultimate joy is being able to do what he loves in terms of his showbiz career.
In 2019, he established Careless, a record label, which later also delved into talent management.
This year, James happily announced that Careless is transitioning into a full-scale entertainment company.
“So, it’s not just music, it’s also a film, series, and events, and that kind of things,” he enthused.
“I never imagined it would grow this big. As I’m going along, my dreams just keep getting bigger and bigger and bigger.
“I get surprised every year of what we’re able to accomplish.”
As president and founder of Careless, James pointed out that his position comes with big responsibilities.
Recalling the challenges that the company faced when it produced Wavy Baby concert festival early this year, James acknowledged that the experience taught him to power through business challenges.
“This year, definitely, has been a huge challenge,” he said.
“We started off the year with a huge music festival, which I think was the most stressful thing I’ve done in my life. But it made the team very strong.
“Yeah, a lot of things happened this year.
“But we’ve been preparing some business talks with other production companies, music labels, partners to really build TV concepts, albums, and everything for next year.”
Asked how he is able to manage his company and pursue his singing career at the same time, James explained that it’s all possible because “I have a very talented team, so I can’t take all the credit for that.”
His experience as a singer-actor in the past 13 years, he said, trained him for the opportunities he’s fielding as a business owner.
“I think I’ve learned to handle pressure very well and work well under pressure. I think that’s something that show business has taught me,” he said, smiling.
James continued, “You know, all eyes on you on live TV, when doing movies, and shows in Araneta, the pressure from fans and bashers.
“I think, it has taught me to handle pressure very well that I can just switch it off. It might not be healthy but it’s something that show business has taught me.”
Reflecting on the risks he took to reach his independence now as an artist-business owner, James said that he’s happy with the choices he made despite some people doubting his career move.
“I’m very happy. There’s nothing I would change with everything that has happened,” said James.
“Every challenge that has come up so far has also opened up new opportunities.
“And as difficult as this year was, you know, if it wasn’t for everything that happened…”
Without going into detail, he let the press in on what’s in store for him as well as other artists under Careless talent management.
“Next year, all the plans that we have for the series, the movies, the albums, the collaborations with other labels and production houses, I don’t think it would have been possible.
“I’m very happy with how everything is unfolding.”
Read: James Reid reacts to Matteo Guidicelli replacing him in “Penduko”
JAMES REID’S COLLAB WITH B.I. AND DJ FLICT
Meanwhile, James also spoke about his latest single “Jacuzzi,” a collab with South Korean rapper/singer/composer B.I. and Grammy-award-winning producer DJ Flict.
Talking about how the collab came about, James related, “I met him [B.I.] at the backstage in a concert in Seoul.
“We’re at backstage then and he’s doing a Philippine concert tour, so he asked me to open for him in the Philippines.”
Apparently, B.I. wasn’t aware that James is a popular star in the country so the Korean rapper was surprised with the overwhelming cheers from fans when James did the opening act for B.I.’s Philippine concert.
“I think, usually, with the opening act didn’t get that kind of reaction. The audience was singing along.
“He said, he would want us to work in a song together.”
Their song “Jacuzzi” was launched in October, and the music video came out on YouTube on November 6.
James elaborated, “We did ‘Jacuzzi’ and we got a lot of support from my fans also and from his fans.
“I was very lucky he came to the Philippines to shoot the music video in the middle of his European tour.
“He took two days off, flew to the Philippines, shoot the music video. He’s very cool. He’s very soft-spoken, very mysterious.
“He has a lot of fans in the Philippines, so he wants to work with me on another track and we could promote here.”
Other Filipino stars who were also featured on the music video included Maris Racal, AC Bonifacio, and Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee.
Talking about his golf scene with Maris, James related, “And it was funny because Maris said, ‘I don’t know, I haven’t played golf, or I don’t even know how to swing a club.’
“I said, ‘You’re an actress, just act, you know.’ And she did really well.”
James added that he chose Michelle to be part of the music video because she’s “fashion forward,” while he decribed AC as “an amazing singer.”
