Julia Barretto Says Showbiz Roots Didn’t Earn Her Special Treatment: ‘I Went Through That Baptism of Fire’

Julia Barretto grew up surrounded by familiar names in Philippine entertainment, but the actress says her family background did not shield her from the difficult realities of working in show business.

In an interview on Matteo Guidicelli’s Matteo G. Primetime, Barretto reflected on the criticism she faced at the beginning of her career, the tough lessons she learned on set and her determination to establish an identity of her own.

The interview originally aired in April, according to ABS-CBN, with Guidicelli recently re-uploading excerpts from their conversation.

Julia Barretto Felt Pressure to Prove Herself

Barretto comes from one of the Philippines’ best-known entertainment families. Her mother is actress Marjorie Barretto, her father is actor-comedian Dennis Padilla, and her aunts include Gretchen and Claudine Barretto.

Despite those connections, Julia said carrying the Barretto surname came with expectations and scrutiny, particularly when she was starting out.

“Maybe when I was starting, yeah,” she said when asked whether she felt pressure from being a Barretto, explaining that some people appeared more critical or less accepting of her because of her family background.

Rather than allowing that reaction to push her away from acting, Barretto said she eventually turned the pressure into motivation.

She explained that experience taught her to trust herself and described the scrutiny as a driving force that encouraged her to give her best. Her larger ambition, she said, was to make a name for herself rather than simply rely on a recognizable surname.

‘I Went Through That Baptism of Fire’

One of Barretto’s most formative experiences came while working on Mirabella, the 2014 fantasy drama that marked her first television lead role.

During her conversation with Guidicelli, Barretto was asked whether she had experienced being shouted at while working on set.

She recalled going through what she called a “baptism of fire,” an experience that made her unhappy at the time but which she now views differently.

Looking back, Barretto said she is grateful for what the experience taught her about the realities of production.

“There’s nothing glamorous when we’re actually already on the set,” she said, adding that “no one’s actually given special treatment.”

According to Barretto, everyone working on a production is expected to arrive prepared and perform at a high level, regardless of their background.

She credited experience as one of her most important teachers and also expressed gratitude toward the people she encountered throughout her career.

Building a Life Away From the Family Home

Barretto also discussed becoming independent at a relatively young age.

She said she has been living alone since she was 22 and has had time to adjust to managing her own home. Still, independence has not erased how much she values being close to her family.

The actress admitted that she misses living under the same roof as her mother and siblings, including the comfort of having her mother take care of the household.

Fortunately for Barretto, family remains physically close.

She said her sisters live only a few minutes away and suggested that going an entire week without seeing them would be difficult.

Her comments offered a glimpse at the balance she has created between independence and maintaining close family relationships.

Julia Barretto Has an Unexpected Dream Role

After years of playing a wide variety of characters, Barretto also revealed a type of role she would still like to take on: an ice skater.

The idea has a personal connection.

“I used to ice skate. I competed once,” she told Guidicelli.

Barretto did not announce a specific skating project, but her comments revealed an area of her childhood that she would be interested in revisiting through acting if the right material became available.

How Social Media Changed the Entertainment Industry

Barretto’s career also gives her a perspective on one of the biggest transformations in modern entertainment: the rise of social media.

Having entered the business as a child before social platforms became central to celebrity culture, she experienced the industry both before and after that transition.

She told Guidicelli that she welcomes the fact that social platforms have created opportunities for people outside traditional entertainment channels to build audiences and earn money.

“Now everybody can be a star and make money for themselves,” she said.

Barretto added that she is glad more people are getting opportunities.

At the same time, adapting to the new landscape required work on her part. She said she began her career during an era when social media was not yet a major factor and therefore experienced the transition firsthand.

For established performers, social media has added another dimension to a career that once revolved much more heavily around television, film and traditional publicity.

From Child Actress to Leading Roles

Barretto’s career stretches back to childhood.

According to ABS-CBN, she made her screen debut in Gulong ng Palad in 2006 and later appeared in other ABS-CBN programs. She was introduced as part of Star Magic Circle in 2013 alongside performers including Liza Soberano and Janella Salvador.

Her starring role in Mirabella followed in 2014.

Barretto later built a film career that included projects such as Para sa Hopeless Romantic, Vince and Kath and James, Love You to the Stars and Back, Block Z, Expensive Candy and Un/Happy For You.

In 2020, she moved from Star Magic to Viva Artists Agency. ABS-CBN reports that she has since become a freelance performer and is open to projects with different studios.

What’s Next for Julia Barretto?

Barretto’s upcoming work includes Regal Entertainment’s Haunted Carnival, which ABS-CBN identifies as an official entry in the 52nd Metro Manila Film Festival.

The report says the movie also features Maricel Soriano, John Arcilla and James Reid and is scheduled to open on December 25, 2026.

Outside acting, Barretto has also expanded into fashion and beauty ventures.

Her reflections on her career suggest that having an established surname did not eliminate the challenges of finding her place in entertainment. Instead, Barretto says the pressure she encountered early on became part of what motivated her to develop a career and identity of her own.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Julia Barretto mean by her “baptism of fire”?

Barretto used the phrase while discussing difficult early experiences on set, particularly around the time she worked on Mirabella. She said the experience made her sad at the time but that she is now grateful for what it taught her about the realities of working in entertainment.

Did Julia Barretto say she received special treatment because of her family?

No. Barretto said that once performers are on set, “no one’s actually given special treatment,” and everyone is expected to perform at their best.

When did Julia Barretto start living alone?

Barretto said she has lived independently since she was 22, although her sisters live only a few minutes away.

What role does Julia Barretto want to play?

She said she would like to play an ice skater in a future project. Barretto revealed that she used to ice skate and competed once.

What is Julia Barretto’s upcoming movie?

According to the supplied ABS-CBN report, Barretto’s next film is Regal Entertainment’s Haunted Carnival, alongside Maricel Soriano, John Arcilla and James Reid. It is scheduled for release on December 25, 2026.