James Reid talks about his first love

For James Reid, writing songs and performing them to an audience is more challenging than acting.

“In acting, you follow someone else’s script. When you make your own songs, it’s your own script and you get judged by it,” he said.

At his recent launch as endorser of Manulife Insurance’s “Start Your Story” campaign, James performed the acoustic version of three of 11 self-penned R&B/hip-hop tunes in his coming album.

“It’s different when you’re performing your own songs. It requires a different level of openness. Tonight is all about putting myself out there. It used to be something that I was afraid to do,” he said.

“Music is my first love,” he stressed. “I wasn’t interested in acting in the beginning, but it definitely helped me get to where I am today.”

“Music is my true passion,” he added. “Not many people know I write songs. I write about different things, mainly love. It’s easy to tell where I get the inspiration from, but I also write about simple things, like wanting to get away and take a break from work, or experiences of friends that I can relate to.”

Asked about his relationship with girlfriend Nadine Lustre, the actor said: “We are better than ever. We’re at our happiest at this point.”

At the same event, James also denied rumors that his new ABS-CBN program with Nadine, “Till I Met You,” would be canceled soon because of poor ratings.

Contrary to the rumor, James said the feedback he has been getting was that “the audience has accepted the subject (LGBT issue), which is delicate and daring. They’re handling it well.”

JAMES Reid

He was referring to Ali admitting he is gay and in love with Basti.

As for his advice to younger sister Lauren, who had been tagged as the cause of the marriage breakup of celebrity couple Gab Valenciano and Tricia Centenera, he said: “There will always be bashers; just don’t mind what they say.”

“As long as you know you’re doing the right thing, what these bashers say shouldn’t affect you,” added James, recalling his conversation with Lauren.

Lauren has since denied being involved with Gab. James defended his sister by saying: “What really happened was that they just met—and that’s it.”

James said he was pleased that people eagerly welcomed Lauren when she decided to join show business early this year. “It makes me proud that she is doing well. She has a lot of magazine covers. Our little brother Jack is undergoing workshops,” he shared with the Inquirer. “They know that I’m working hard because of them and the whole family. They sort of want to return the favor.”

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