Denise Julia, the rising singer-songwriter, has recently found herself at the center of controversy following allegations of unprofessionalism made by photographer BJ Pascual during the Killa Kush podcast. This controversy emerged particularly after Pascual spoke out about his negative experience dealing with Julia's team, which he characterized as stressful and lacking professionalism.
Pascual revealed he had agreed to work with Julia on her new single and album, motivated by his desire to help artists. He initially had enthusiasm for the project, even after hearing cautionary tales about Julia’s reputation. "I guess medyo kasalanan ko rin [it’s kind of my fault]..." Pascual recounted, acknowledging his decision to take the job against some advice.
Challenges began to arise when Pascual's team faced several issues related to the project budget and expectations. According to him, the situation worsened after they conducted their first meeting, where Julia's team began questioning the allocated funds for the shoot. "Ang babayaran na lang nila is manpower and materials [The only thing they will pay for is the manpower and materials]. There is no talent fee. This is charity work na," Pascual stated, illustrating the financial miscommunications they encountered.
Things escalated when her team unexpectedly decided to cancel the shoot, citing the unavailability of their hairstylist. Pascual reported feeling blindsided, particularly since he had already put effort and time toward the preparation of the project. He expressed disappointment over not receiving any cancellation fee, as he felt they had not yet finalized the agreement necessary for such terminations.
This fallout led Pascual to conclude he would never work with Julia again. His remarks sparked significant online reactions, with many individuals expressing their disapproval of Julia's behavior on social media platforms. Commenters on X (formerly Twitter) remarked on the lack of professionalism, with one user proclaiming, "i understand the rage tho bc what was what 😭 highkey unprofessional and disrespectful." The outcry signaled broader support for Pascual, with many siding with him against Julia.
While Denise did not directly address the claims made by Pascual initially, she took to social media to celebrate the success of her first solo concert shortly after the controversy erupted. Throughout her post, she expressed immense gratitude toward her supporters, attributing her ability to perform to those who stood by her. "I felt as though my dream was slipping through my fingers," she shared, shedding light on her struggles with gastroesophageal complications and anxiety leading up to the event.
Denise went on to reveal how these health issues played a significant role, noting her experiences with panic attacks and her eventual diagnosis of severe panic disorder. Fortunately, she managed to push through and deliver what she described as her "saving grace" performance, bringing joy and reaffirmation of her dreams back to life.
Following the backlash stemming from Pascual’s podcast revelations, Denise Julia posted on Instagram announcing her intention to step back from social media. She stated, "Aaand that's officially my last post for the year. Socmed break starts now. Detoxing from the digital world. Apps deleted, focus restored. Will be back next year. I love you guys." This signaled to fans her need to recover from near-constant online scrutiny amid professional challenges she was facing.
This episode underlines the fundamental nature of maintaining professionalism within the entertainment industry, particularly when personal and creative pressures collide. The relationship between artists and their support teams can significantly affect each party's reputation, and this situation serves as both a lesson and cautionary tale for those involved.
By taking time off to reassess and refocus, Denise Julia aims to emerge stronger for the new year, amid hopes to clarify her path forward, restore her well-being, and perhaps mend bridges within her professional network. The hope remains for her to return to the scene refreshed and ready to tackle future projects with newfound clarity and professionalism.
