Rising OPM star Denise Julia has announced her temporary hiatus from social media after facing backlash from celebrity photographer BJ Pascual over allegations of unprofessional conduct. The announcement, made via her Instagram Stories on December 21, 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 declaration came on the heels of Pascual’s comments concerning their professional collaboration, which has stirred up considerable controversy.
During a recent episode of the podcast ‘Bad Btch Bible’ hosted by Killa Kush, Pascual dubbed Julia his "worst person to shoot"). He shared his discontent about Denise's team canceling their planned photoshoot at the eleventh hour. "Girl… This was already 10 PM. The call time was 6 AM the next day," he recounted, emphasizing how late their cancellation was. The session was intended to involve both album cover art and accompanying music video footage, and had been planned out with care and thorough preparation.
Initially hesitant about working with Julia due to previous feedback on her perceived professionalism, Pascual admitted he decided to proceed with this collaboration calling it "a passion project" where no talent fees were expected. Yet as the night of the photoshoot approached, the makeup artist’s unavailability prompted the cancellation from Julia's team. Pascual expressed his disappointment, stating, "After this, I never heard from her. No thank you, no sorry, no anything." This upsetting turn of events left him feeling frustrated as the last-minute notice disrupted his team's arrangements and dashed their creative efforts.
Pascual's experience with Julia contrasted sharply with his earlier, more positive encounters with celebrities, including actress Kristine Hermosa. Recalling past experiences, he mentioned how Kristine was cooperative and professional, rendering her neither problematic nor difficult to work with. The stark comparison between the two brought to light the expectations and attitudes artists carry within the industry. He noted how he had been vocal about his challenging moments as well, stating, "But now, this is the very recent, ito na ‘yong bago kong worst. Kasi Kristine Hermosa is an angel now.”
Denise Julia, whose full name is Julia Denise Lee, has quickly risen through the ranks of the local music scene. The 22-year-old singer-songwriter is known for her soulful R&B hits like "B.A.D." and "NVMD," both of which resonate with fans for their relatable themes surrounding relationships and emotional experiences. Dubbed by her admirers as the "Patron Saint of Situationship," her work often explores failed relationships and the intricacies of romantic connections. Since launching her career, she has developed quite the following and has held her first major concert, titled "Sweet Nothings: The Denise Julia Experience" on December 14, 2023, which reinforced her growing popularity.
Despite her successes, Julia has faced scrutiny and controversy over her public persona. Past allegations of "sexual objectification" and "queer baiting" have marred her rise, putting her under the lens of intense public scrutiny. This situation with Pascual seems to add to the narrative of her gaining recognition, balanced by controversy, which is common for rising stars. While she temporarily withdraws from the spotlight, it remains to be seen how the controversy will impact her burgeoning career.
With artists increasingly held accountable for their actions and professionalism, Denise’s social media detox arrives at a time when the potential ramifications of public perception are greater than ever. For now, she leaves her followers with promises of focus and recuperation as she deals with the repercussions of the recent allegations. Will Denise Julia emerge stronger from this experience, or will the allegations leave lasting effects on her career? Only time will tell.
