By Lara Charmaine Lagorra
After a long hiatus from the big screen, singer-actor James Reid steps back into the spotlight with new music, upcoming projects, and a primetime teleserye comeback under ABS-CBN’s Dreamscape Entertainment.
Returning to acting through the upcoming series “Someone, Someday,” James admitted that reentering the world of tapings and cameras came with both excitement and pressure.
“I did a lot of workshops to stick it back into the flow of things,” he shared. “But nothing can really prepare you for it. Some parts feel like, wow, it’s been a long time, and this is a new experience, but some parts feel like I never really left,” the heartthrob said in an exlcusive interview with The Philippine STAR.
The actor also described his comeback project as a milestone, especially as it reunites him with ABS-CBN and works with some of the industry’s biggest names, including Kathryn Bernardo and Maja Salvador.
“I feel like it’s a really big milestone for me to have a group of fans who have been supporting, waiting for a project like this to come. I didn’t think this would be my first project back. I thought I would have to warm up to it, but I’m super grateful that not just Kathryn Bernardo but also Maja Salvador is also starring in the show. So I’m very honored,” James said.
He added that working alongside Bernardo has become a learning experience, particularly in the teleserye format.
“She’s very hands-on with the character and the script. I’m learning a lot working with Kath because she definitely has more experience than me in teleseryes,” he shared.
Despite years in the entertainment industry, James admitted to feeling overwhelmed on his first day back on set.
“Super nervous. It’s a lot of pressure because it’s been so long, and I’m working with such big names. I survived. I survived first day,” he remarked.
For James, returning to Dreamscape felt like coming home, having previously worked with the production unit in hit projects such as “On the Wings of Love” and “Till I Met You.”
“I’m very familiar with Dreamscape. They’re my family, ABS-CBN,” he said. “Maybe that’s why I chose to work with them again for the comeback.”
Alongside acting, James is also reconnecting with music through his latest single, “Traffic,” which he described as deeply personal and reflective of emotional struggles beyond the literal traffic congestion narrative.
“The story is not only about traffic, it’s really also about being stuck in life. Stuck behind a feeling. Actually, in the song I’m singing about how there’s someone I want to be with, but there’s so many obstacles. It’s really about someone and overcoming those obstacles to be or to take what you want,” he explained.
Meanwhile, James also described himself as an artist whose music is rooted in honesty and personal experience.
“When it comes to the music and the instrumentation, it’s just all coming from things that I love, music that influences me. And when I write, it’s always about personal experience. Very honest feelings,” he said.
The singer also credited his girlfriend, Issa Pressman, as one of his biggest creative influences, according to him has a strong visual storytelling that complements his own strengths in concepts and sound.
“Issa has this ability to really see things, really vividly in her mind. I don’t have that. If I close my eyes, I can’t imagine. I don’t see things the way that she does. And I think I’m more inspired by her in general, not just by her creativity. But just the way that she is. And I love the way that she sees me. So she’s the creative director for my projects,” James said.
Beyond his own releases, James also shared that he is open to writing songs for other artists in the OPM scene in the near future. He likewise expressed interest in performing with P-pop girl group BINI, among other possible collaborations.
He also hinted at an upcoming collaboration with another OPM artist, although he chose not to disclose further details, saying the release would be announced at a later date.
James Reid recently performed in Boracay last May 2 and will be one of the guest artists at Jessica Sanchez’s concert this Saturday, May 16.
His latest single, “Traffic,” is now available on streaming platforms.
