Flonique Guimary

Pepe Herrera addresses viewers' disappointment after confirmed exit from ‘Your Face Sounds Familiar’

Article (news)

Alyana De Guzman

Push Team

<div><em>Content Warning: The following article contains discussions on mental health. </em></div><div><br/></div><p>Following his confirmed exit from <em>Your Face Sounds Familiar</em>, Pepe Herrera took to social media to clarify and address comments raised by netizens.  </p><div><br/></div><p>In his departure announcement video posted on November 15, Pepe opened about the state of his mental health, revealing that he had been struggling long before joining the show: “I haven’t been well for decades.” </p><div><br/></div><p>After a session with his psychotherapist, he realized he had been struggling with depression and anxiety attacks alternately since he was 13 years old. He explained that he had coped for years by avoiding his trauma and masking his struggles behind humor. But the years of pretending had taken a toll, leading to worsening panic attacks, insomnia, tremors, and chest pains.  With that, he decided to permanently leave the competition prematurely to prioritize his mental health and healing.  </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/11/16/pepe-herrera-exits-your-face-sounds-familiar-to-prioritize-mental-health-and-healing-0921" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Pepe Herrera exits ‘Your Face Sounds Familiar’ to prioritize mental health and healing</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Following the public release of his statement, Pepe said he saw comments from viewers who felt disappointed with his decision to exit the show.</p><div><br/></div><p>“Nabasa ko na may mga fans ng show na nagsabi na hindi ko dapat tinanggap yung show kung hindi pa ako magaling para nabigay na lang sa ibang performer yung pagkakataon. Dapat daw hindi muna tumatanggap ng project kung hindi pa ako okay,” he shared.  </p><div><br/></div><p>Pepe acknowledged their concerns but also clarified the realities he faces as an actor and provider for his family, expressing how ordinary of a person he is needing to work despite the struggle. </p><div><br/></div><p>“Meron din naman ako nakikita na sliver of truth sa sinabi niyo. Kailangan ko lang din po linawin na hindi po ako kasing yaman ng mga prime actors, nepo babies and politicians who can take a break from work for a year or more lalo na at may pamilyang nakaasa sa akin for basic needs,” he said.  </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-18" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRGjypQEk04/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A18%2C%22os%22%3A4395027.299999952%2C%22ls%22%3A330626.09999996424%2C%22le%22%3A330629%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1166" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-18" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>He noted that avoiding debt was also part of protecting his mental health making him undependable on taking loans. Despite the criticism, Pepe reassured the public saying: “But I’m learning each day on how to manage [these] vulnerabilities better while embracing my responsibilities also as a breadwinner and family man. At salamat din sa pagbahagi ng inyong saloobin. No hard feelings. Your emotions are valid. I just hope my clarification can help you manage your emotions.”  </p><div><br/></div><p>Now responding well to therapy, he said that he has informed the management about his desire to join the show once again next year, subject to their approval. For the meantime, he revealed that has accepted a comedy film project as his savings is running out, though he assured followers that the producers have arranged the schedule to prioritize his rest.  </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/11/5/pepe-herrera-takes-a-break-from-social-media-due-to-anxiety-1926" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Pepe Herrera takes a break from social media due to anxiety</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>“I’m grateful that the producers are very considerate. They spread out the 8 shooting dates so that there’s enough rest in between,” he disclosed. </p><div><br/></div><p>He also shared that the project would reunite him with his closest friends Jerald Napoles and TJ Valderrama, calling time with them a “safe space.”  </p><div><br/></div><p>Pepe closed his post by thanking the public for the outpouring of messages and understanding he has received, mentioning that it restored his faith in humanity. He also noted that sharing openly about his condition gave him a sense of peace, even though his <em>Your Face Sounds Familiar</em> family told him he did not need to disclose everything. The actor said he chose transparency to foster connection with those who might relate to his experience. </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-16" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRIUvToE2R5/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A16%2C%22os%22%3A1569414.5%2C%22ls%22%3A330626.09999996424%2C%22le%22%3A330629%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1257" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-16" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>Pepe continues to share his journey online to help those who resonate with him. In another post, he shared a video where he sang and played drums, saying that it is one of his favorite workout songs after feeling exhausted with trauma release.  </p><div><br/></div><p>“Salamat sa mga mensahe ng pagmamahal at pag unawa. Ang dami. Nagtitiwala ako na mauunawaan niyo na hindi ko masasagot lahat. I’m prioritizing replying to people seeking help. Slowly. Kung meron man akong hindi mabasa na paghingi ng tulong, please check my previous posts for hotlines, therapists, holistic healers that you can contact. I trust that we will be able to continue helping each other while respecting our own pace,” he wrote.  </p>

<p>Pepe Herrera clarifies his decision to leave Your Face Sounds Familiar through Instagram, saying that his responsibilities as a breadwinner made him join the show despite his mental struggles.</p>

Pepe Herrera clarifies his decision to leave Your Face Sounds Familiar through Instagram, saying that his responsibilities as a breadwinner made him join the show despite his mental struggles.