Jessica Villarubin Reacts to Church Concert with Julie Anne San Jose
JESSICA VILLARUBIN – The singer addressed the controversy surrounding her and Julie Anne San Jose’s Heavenly Harmony Concert, held in front of the altar at the Nuestra Señora Del Pilar Shrine in Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro, on October 6, 2024.
The performance led to a backlash, mainly directed at Julie Anne, who was criticized for her choice of songs like “Dancing Queen” and “Edge of Glory,” as well as her outfit, which many felt was inappropriate for such a sacred setting.
In response to the criticism, Julie Anne and her management, Sparkle GMA Artist Center, issued apologies, acknowledging the negative impact of the incident and admitting to their mistakes in planning the event. Jessica, who also performed at the concert, felt somewhat left out of the controversy, noting that the backlash seemed to focus only on Julie Anne.
During her appearance on Fast Talk With Boy Abunda on October 16, Jessica reacted humorously to not being mentioned much in the criticism, saying, “Hala, ba’t wala ako? Kasi kaming dalawa po ang nandoon.” She was surprised that the focus shifted to her much later, despite her sharing the stage with Julie Anne.
Jessica’s performance included songs like “This Girl is on Fire” and “Maybe This Time,” and she wore a red gown. Yet, most of the criticism centered on Julie Anne’s performance and appearance, with little attention given to Jessica.
When asked for her thoughts on the issue, Jessica said that both sides had already explained their stories and made amends. She stressed that everyone involved learned important lessons from the situation and sincerely apologized for any offense caused. She also asked for prayers for healing for everyone affected by the incident.
Jessica shared her experience of serving in the church for over fifteen years, being a psalmist and choir member for sixteen years, which made the controversy feel even more personal to her. Reflecting on the incident, Jessica emphasized the importance of being more mindful of their actions in the future, especially when performing in religious or sensitive settings.