Bret Jackson defends James Reid from detractors

MANILA, Philippines – Bret Jackson defended his best friend James Reid from his detractors.

The first thing he clarified is the accusation that James is a snob.

“Totally untrue,” he said about James being a snob, in an interview on Tuesday. “He’s just really a shy person. You see him on TV and he’s performing, he’s acting, pero the true thing is James is shy. He’s not a snob at all.”

He also clarified the reports linking the “On the Wings of Love” actor to several actresses like Julia Barretto and his on screen love team Nadine Lustre.

“I just want to clarify na, like he said, he’s focused sa work,” he said.

He added that Nadine is James’ best friend and that “no one can say something may happen. No one knows. Right now both of them are focused on their career.”

He also doesn’t want to push his best friend to court his leading lady since he understands how hard it is to be in a relationship with a person you work with almost every day.

“I mean, work and relationship when you mix that two, it’s a deadly combination,” he said. “Especially in showbiz, say the fans really want them to be together, so you get together then. You know how hard it’s going to be for them? To work together tapos be together pa? Let’s be realistic.”

As for he reports that James is dating Julia, Bret clarified that they were seen with Julia because of their other best friend Sam Concepcion.

“Julia is friends with Sam Concepcion, one of our best friends also. We’re all barkada. So if there’s a link to that it’s because we’re all friends,” he said.

Although he understands that they’re in the show business, Bret said what he doesn’t understand was “why we’re not allowed to be friends with other people [when] we’re all in showbiz and the same age?”

“We make friends with people who are friendly with us,” he added.

In the end, Bret emphasized that “James has not changed at all.”

Bret is part of the Carlo J. Caparas film “Angela Merkado” which stars Andi Eigenmann, Donna Villa, Bembol Roco, Epi Quizon, Paolo Contis, Polo Ravales, Felix Roco, Marita Zobel, Ana Roces, Cj Caparas and Peach Caparas. It’ll be in cinemas on December 2.