James Reid admits pressure in acting comeback with Kathryn Bernardo

MANILA, Philippines — James Reid is set to headline the upcoming Netflix-ABS-CBN series “Someone, Someday” with Kathryn Bernardo, a project that also marks his return to acting after several years of focusing largely on music and other creative ventures.

While James admitted he felt nervous being on a set again, he also discovered that acting still felt familiar as if he had simply picked up where he left off.

“Some parts of it feel like, wow, it’s been a long time, so it’s a new experience. But then also some parts feel like I never really left,” James recently told The Philippine STAR in an interview.

Sharing top billing with Kathryn is one of the biggest highlights of the project.

“A huge milestone actually, to be able to work with her. And as my comeback project sa ABS-CBN, sa Dreamscape, I’m very grateful that she agreed to be part of the show,” he said.

He is also aware that fans have been anticipating seeing them together onscreen after being part of rival love teams for the longest time.

James and his ‘Someone, Someday’ leading lady Kathryn Bernardo embark on their first promo event for their upcoming series during the Primetime Bida motorcade in Pampanga.

“It’s really big. We both have a group of fans who have been supporting and waiting for a project like this. I didn’t think this would be my first project back.”

Apart from the pairing, as he previously mentioned, the series also reunites him with Dreamscape Entertainment, the production unit behind two of his previous hit dramas, “On the Wings of Love” and “Till I Met You” on ABS-CBN.

“Maybe it’s because I feel at home with Dreamscape,” he said when asked how he knew it was time for a comeback. “‘Till I Met You’ was my last one, ‘On the Wings of Love,’ so I’m very familiar with Dreamscape, you know, the family. That’s why I chose to work with them again for the comeback,” he said.

But despite feeling at home with Dreamscape, James admitted there were plenty of nerves during his first taping day.

“There’s a lot of pressure. It’s been so long and I’m working with big names. Even with my directors, direk Dolly... this project, this serye... a lot of pressure,” he said.

Fortunately, he joked, he made it through.

With ‘Sigabo’ lead stars Coco Martin and Julia Montes.

“I survived! I survived the first day.”

Before filming, James said he attended acting workshops to help prepare.

“At least for me, I’ve been doing workshops to get back into the flow of things. But nothing can prepare you for it like really just shooting, being in the show, in the taping.”

One pleasant surprise has been working alongside Kathryn, whom he described as generous and collaborative.

“She’s incredible to work with. Very hands-on with the character, the script. And I’m learning a lot, you know, working with someone who has more experience dito sa area.”

The onscreen pair has recently made their first promo event over the weekend, joining the “Sigabo” lead stars Coco Martin and Julia Montes during the Primetime Bida Motorcade in Pampanga.

Although James has retreated from the acting world, he said creativity has remained constant in his life through his music label Careless Music and his own music.

Although James has retreated from the acting world, creativity has remained constant in his life through his music label Careless Music and his own music. His latest release is Richest Man Alive, a track about finding happiness in the simplest pleasures, like going on a road trip with a loved one.

When asked to describe himself as an artist, honesty was the first word that came to mind.

“My music is very honest with how I’m feeling. When it comes to the music, the inspiration, it’s all coming from things that I love... It’s always about personal experience, very honest feelings.”

One example is his latest single Richest Man Alive, which James performed during his appearance on The Office Playlist on The Philippine STAR’s YouTube channel.

It’s described as a pop track about finding happiness in love and spending  time with a loved one, instead of focusing on money, status or material success.

The track, which features a light, easygoing sound, has lyrics reflecting this kind of love: “No pressure, no shoes / I got nothing but you / And it’s all that I consume.”

The single follows James’ previous releases Traffic and Blessed, and continues his more personal approach to songwriting.

Richest Man Alive is available on Spotify and other major streaming platforms.