Julia Barretto on being compared to Claudine Barretto: “I won't let this affect me'

With new endorsements popping up left and right, it's no wonder Julia Barretto is one of the actresses to watch out for in the Kapamilya network. The 16-year-old Star Magic talent is currently working on her upcoming soap Mirabella which will pair her with Enrique Gil.

“It’s still surreal up to this day but I’m happy. Tapings so far have been really fun. I am excited. I am nervous. I am feeling everything all at once. Pero siguro mostly excited ako kasi matagal ko na nga itong hinintay. Madami na kaming nakunan. It’s showing next month na so sana abangan nilang lahat,” she said.

Julia said she is still getting used to balancing a demanding work schedule and school. “I still go to school. I still wear a uniform. I still do what the regular students do. I go to school twice a week now since last quarter na pero school first pa rin, always. Since baguhan lang ako siyempre everything is so new to me and every taping day is a learning experience. Ayoko rin to pressure myself to be as in good na. Parang ilang years na ako sa industry. I’m allowing myself to improve, I’m giving myself time. This is my first launching teleserye,” she explained.

Julia said she is not going to feel pressured by people comparing her to her tita Claudine Barretto. She said she has a lot to learn before she can be compared to the former Kapamilya artist. “Normal naman siya siguro di ba? Pero kasi from my side naman I won’t let this affect me because my tita has been in the industry for so many years. You can’t compare somebody who’s been in the industry for so many years to somebody who has just entered so hindi eh, hindi talaga. Walang comparison,” she said.

Julia said she is happy that her mom Marjorie Barretto and tita Gretchen Barretto have also been very supportive of her. “Parang just to have that support na parang they have my back makes me so happy. My tita (Gretchen) naman I think the best advice that she gave me was to be close to God, to always pray and siguro be nice to everybody you work with,” she said.

Julia also shared how she dealt with online bashers who were not happy about Enrique Gil being paired with her. “I think as a fan it’s normal to feel that way pero there’s also no need to say harsh words, di ba? Kasi tao rin naman ako. But also hindi ko siya binibigyan ng pansin because may ibang tao na gustong gusto yung casting. Hindi ko rin naman kasalanan kung bakit siya na-cast. It was management’s choice, but I’m so happy to be working with Enrique because he’s such a nice guy and he’s such a good actor. I’m learning a lot from him,” she said.

The pretty mestiza said she chooses not to let herself be affected by online opinions. “How do I deal with it? I don’t (laughs). I don’t deal with it. Hindi ko siya pinapansin kasi bakit ko papansinin if their only motive is to put me down? Mas gugustuhin kong huwag pansinin kasi siyempre the more I am motivated to do good, be a better person and be better pa nga,” she said.

The aspiring actress said Mirabella will be a good challenge for her because she is playing two characters. “Kailangan mabigyan ko sila ng difference. So I think that in itself is very challenging,” she admitted.

Even though she has been getting showbiz offers since five years ago, Julia said she feels now is the right time to start working in showbiz and so far she has no regrets. “I get guidance from my mom. That itself keeps me grounded na. I think I got my strength from my mom. It’s different kasi I was nine at that time and hindi ko pa alam kung anong gusto ko talaga gawin. So siguro it was all fun for me. It was like testing the waters if I’m going to like this or not. And then when I quit for a few years, hindi naman quit pero siguro I focused lang on my studies, hinahanap hanap ko na siya. Then I realized na this is what I really want to do and now that I’m doing it grabe ang sarap ng pakiramdam kahit na walang tulog, I want to work, I like working everyday. I like being tired,” she said.