Despite acting pedigree, Claudia more comfortable creating music

Claudia Barretto

Contrary to some people’s presumptions, Claudia Barretto didn’t take the music route for the sake of standing out from her family of actors. Writing was a constant part of her childhood, she said, and so it only felt natural that she honed that talent and pursued a career that allows her to freely express herself.

“Some people think that, ‘Oh, maybe she did this deliberately so she could set herself apart.’ But growing up, it was just my natural inclination to turn to music as a form of self-expression. I have always liked writing, journaling and listening to singer-songwriters like Taylor Swift,” she said in a recent virtual conference for her new single, “Nothing to Do.”

‘Secret dream’

While her mom, Marjorie, aunts Gretchen and Claudine, and sister Julia found success in film and television, Claudia harbored her “secret dream.”

“I loved singing, but I was unusually shy about it. It was a secret dream. I didn’t tell anyone about it, because I didn’t have the confidence then. It wasn’t until I was 15 that I told them about it. Thankfully, they have been nothing but encouraging,” she related. “It just all fell into place. Music felt like something I could hone.”

Her famous surname has been a constant topic since she entered show biz a few years ago. Is it an advantage or a weight she has to carry? “It can be both. It can make you feel small and that you have something to prove. But you can also see it as a source of inspiration, knowing that you have all these family members who did really well,” said the 21-year-old recording artist, who considers her mom as her most-trusted critic.

“Nothing to Do” cover art

Newfound confidence

“Nothing to Do,” which Claudia cowrote with rapper Curtismith, is her digital release under Viva Records, her new label. She described the writing process as “organic”—“no inhibitions” or “holding back.”

“It’s about having completely nothing to do. But if you’re with the right person, it can still be a special experience,” she said of the pop-R&B track. “I don’t know exactly how to classify my sound, but I have always gravitated toward those genres.”

Claudia is at her most comfortable when she’s writing songs. Performing live, on the other hand, is something she needed to get used to.

“When I started doing music and live performances, I lacked the confidence, experience and practice. But now, I have become more aware of what it takes to do a good job onstage. That’s why I’m excited to do live performances now,” said Claudia, who’s currently taking up psychology at the Ateneo de Manila University.

This newfound confidence can be attributed to all the preparation and work she has been doing during the pandemic. “I took voice and dance lessons to build my confidence. I tried to write songs even if there was no inspiration, so I can have that kind of discipline,” she related.

Experiment

She’s also more willing to experiment with different genres, and is no longer afraid of collaborations. “I feel like I have grown a lot from my previous projects. I’m more comfortable writing what I want and being honest with my lyrics. Working with other artists was something I wasn’t used to. Now, I no longer feel as conscious when I have to write or work in front of others.”

Claudia knows that not everyone is privileged enough to have the same pandemic experience, so the least she could do, she said, was to make use of her time productively.

“The pandemic is something we all struggled with. But it made me realize how lucky and privileged I am, because, given the circumstances, I was able to use my time to learn more about myself—not everyone has the same experience,” she pointed out. “The best thing I can do for myself is make something out of the time I have.”

Now that she’s with Viva Entertainment, acting no longer seems far-fetched. “I always say, ‘Never say never.’ So, it’s something that can happen. Or maybe I can explore that in my music videos first,” she said.