Nikki: It's not necessary to work with ex-BF Billy

MANILA, Philippines – She may have already moved on from their breakup, but Nikki Gil said she would choose not to work with ex-boyfriend Billy Crawford if the opportunity arises.

 

“I don't think it's necessary. I'm really not... When I say showbiz there's that negative connotation to the word, but I cannot kasi because I'm very transparent,” the ABS-CBN talent said during the press launch of the stage musical 'The Last Five Years' on Thursday.

 

She added, “If I'm not comfortable, the performance might suffer. So I don't think it's necessary.”

 

The 'Hawak Kamay' star, however, said she'll be professional in case she does have to work with her former beau. The two, after all, work for the same network and are in the same management company.

 

“Edukado naman akong tao, hindi naman ako nang-a-ano ng tao,” Nikki said. But she further explained, “We've done a year without having to work with each other so I can think we can continue on doing that.”

 

“I think sawa na rin ang mga peeps sa balitang nakapag-move na ako. Kumbaga, nanotaryo na natin,” she also said.

 

The topic of Billy came up during the press conference because of her role in her upcoming stage musical, which begins its run this August at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza in Makati City.

 

In The Last Five Years, Nikki plays Cathy, a struggling actress who tells the story of her failed relationship with Jamie Wellerstein (played by stage actor Joaquin Valdes).

 

Nikki admits she could relate to Cathy's character—especially after her own separation with Billy—but said she didn't use the breakup experience as fuel for her role. 

 

“I wouldn't say I used it because that would mean it's Nikki onstage and not Cathy. They still have very different experiences and she dealt with things different compared to how I would deal with things,” she explained. “Maybe the hurt gave me that maturity to handle the role, the experience gave me the maturity.”

 

The 26-year-old actress-singer is very happy with the way her life and career are going. She is also part of the ABS-CBN soap opera Hawak Kamay (premiering July 21, Monday). As for her love life, Nikki previously admitted she is currently seeing a non-showbiz guy exclusively. 

 

“It's less complicated. I'd rather na konti na lang ang opinyon about it rather than have something to think of it. I like the peace and quiet that it brings,” she said of her relationship with her non-showbiz guy. 

 

“I feel like I'm already giving a lot of myself to the public. If I can just keep this to myself, then that would be fantastic,” Nikki added.

 

“The Last Five Years,” produced by 9Works Productions and directed by Robbie Guevarra, runs from August 9 to August 31.