Julia Barretto reflects on the remarkable blessings and challenges of 2024 with gratitude and humility. At her recent press conference at Viva Café, the 27-year-old actress expressed how thankful she feels for the past year, both in terms of her career and personal life. “I remain just full of gratitude and more than anything, it’s so humbling what’s happening now. I think mas nakaka motivate ang mga blessings this year to work harder next year.”
Julia’s journey in the entertainment industry began as a child star, and over the years, she has steadily carved out her own unique path, earning her place as one of the most beloved stars in the country. Now, as she celebrates her 18th year in the business, Julia finds herself not only at the height of her career but also expanding her horizons on an international scale.
One of the standout moments of 2024 came with the release of “Secret Ingredient,” a Viu original series. Starring alongside South Korean actor Lee Sang Heon and Indonesian superstar Nicholas Saputra, the cross-cultural project garnered immediate global attention: winning the prestigious Silver Dolphin trophy for Branded Content Global Videos, the Black Dolphin trophy for Best Cast/On-Camera Talent at the Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards 2024 and was adjudged National Winner for Best Branded Programme and Best Original Production by a Streamer (Fiction) in the Philippines at the Asian Academy Creative Awards 2024. “Secret Ingredient” also made history as the first Viu series to be selected from over 800 entries across 46 countries.
On the big screen, Julia started 2024 with “Ikaw Pa Rin ang Pipiliin Ko,” where she starred alongside Aga Muhlach in a poignant love story intertwined with music. However, her biggest achievement came with “Un/happy for You,” where she reunited with Joshua Garcia. The romantic drama earned P20.5 million on its first-day and had a final global gross of P450 million.
Julia’s 2024 journey continues with her much-anticipated return to the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) in “Hold Me Close,” the official entry of Viva Films to the 50th edition of the festival. In this romantic-fantasy film, Julia portrays the clairvoyant Lynlyn. It marks her second collaboration with actor Carlo Aquino and director Jason Paul Laxamana.
Filmed in Japan, “Hold Me Close” is set to hit cinemas nationwide on December 25. This film also marks Julia’s return to MMFF after her 2016 role in “Vince and Kath and James.”
In 2024, she has solidified her reputation as one of the most trusted and influential brand ambassadors in the country. The year started with a significant milestone when she was chosen as the calendar girl for Tanduay, celebrating the brand’s 170th anniversary. Her impressive list of brand partnerships also includes Casino Plus, Vaseline, Wellness Whispers, M&M’s, BELO, GAOC, and Pina Beauty Soap, among others. Long-standing collaborations with Penshoppe, Palmolive, and Ponds were renewed, a testament to her growing credibility and widespread appeal.
Alongside her flourishing acting career, Julia has proven herself to be a savvy entrepreneur. Her brand, The Juju Club, which offers a range of stylish products such as swimwear and eyewear, highlights her impeccable taste. Additionally, her YouTube channel, which boasts nearly 1.4 million subscribers, provides fans with a behind-the-scenes glimpse of her life.
On a personal note, Julia’s life has been further enriched by the presence of her 6-month-old giant poodle, Fitz. She shared how he has brought an immense amount of joy and companionship into her household. “He’s like my best friend. Everything is better, may companion ka talaga. He brightens up my home. If anyone has a poodle, you’d know they are clingy.”
Julia revealed that she wasn’t always fond of dogs. “Growing up I developed a fear of dogs, but then I was able to get over that… Later on, napamahal ako sa malalaking dogs because of the influence of Ge (Gerald Anderson, her boyfriend),” she said.
As 2024 comes to a close, Julia’s trajectory shows no signs of slowing down. At the trade launch of TV5 in November, Julia was named the newest host of “Artista Academy.” Additionally, after her successful drama debut on TV5 in 2021 with “Di Na Muli,” Julia is preparing for a major acting comeback on the network with “Hello, Heaven.”
With these new ventures, fans can expect Julia to continue dominating the entertainment industry in the coming years. From acting to hosting, she is sure to deliver exceptional performances that will continue to captivate audiences across the country and beyond.
