Members of the P-pop supergroup SB19 spoke out on the fan-driven “shipping” culture, which led them to set their boundaries and limits on being “paired” with one another.
During an interview on Fast Talk With Boy Abunda on Tuesday, August 27, the show’s host, Boy Abunda, took the opportunity to ask the P-pop idols about recent controversies including ongoing speculations about their sexuality.
“Kaakibat ng pagsikat ay ang kontrobersiya. Isa na rito yung sexuality, what do you wanna say [Stell]?”, Abunda asked.
Stell responded calmly, noting that he has become accustomed to the persistent questions surrounding his sexual orientation, as he has faced relentless scrutiny, with some bashers repeatedly labeling him as “gay” since joining the group.
However, he made it clear that he no longer pays attention to these negative comments because they do not diminish his sense of self or worth.
Stell expressed confusion over why some people see questioning his sexuality as an insult, saying, “’Di ko nga rin po talaga maintindihan kasi unang-una po, tingin po ba nila insulto ’yung ganong klaseng bagay?”
He continued, “Ako, for example lagi po akong natatanong or lagi pong nagiging issue po sa akin ’yon and I don’t mind na kung if ever man isipin nilang gano’n. Kasi if ever man gano’n ako, what’s the problem?
Stell further stated that he doesn’t mind if others think he’s gay, asking,”So if ever man na ganoon ako, anong problema? So may issue ba tayo kung example na maging bakla ako or anything naman na matawag niyo sa akin?.”
He emphasized that everyone is equal, and such assumptions should not be an issue, stating, “Kasi pare-parehas naman tayong tao, pare-parehas tayong kumakain, pare-parehas tayong dumudumi. So I don’t think mayroon kang kinalamang sa akin,”
Stell believes that one factor fueling the speculation about his sexuality is the “shipping” culture among some of their fans, where he is often paired with his fellow member, Pablo.
Their pairing continues to spark interest and talk among fans who create romanticized videos of the members’ interactions.
On this topic, Stell said, “‘Yung mga fans mahilig sa shipping, hindi namin maiiwasan yon. Kasi kami nga minsan, nagkakaano rin kami… bakit parang ganon yung tingin ng tao?”
“Sa amin, parang normal naman yon bilang magkakaibigan, nag-a-aylabyuhan kami. Sa ibang tao, iba pala iniisip nila,” reacted Stell, “Ayaw rin naman naming hayaan siya at maapektuhan kami as friends, as a group.”
He also shared that this issue has even led to rumors that Pablo was rude to another artist because he was jealous, having learned that Stell was the artist’s crush.
“May napanood po kasi ako na parang tinatarayan daw ni Pablo yung isang artist. Parang [ang dating], crush daw po ako, tapos noong na-meet ni Pablo, tinarayan daw siya ni Pablo kasi nalaman na crush ako.”
Stell found this particularly absurd, saying, “Ako naman, ‘Parang ang labo naman ng nangyayari. Akala ko ba masaya lang tayo dito?’ But all of a sudden, may ganung mga isyu na pala, kaya gusto rin namin siyang ma-break.”
Ken, another member of SB19, echoed Stell’s sentiments, emphasizing that the group has worked hard to build their name and reputation, and it’s unfair for them to be tarnished by such issues.
Stell expressed concern that the fan-driven “shipping” culture creates negative first impressions for people who don’t know them yet.
“Ayun po yung mga bagay na para sa akin po, sa opinyon ko, e, hindi na po maganda. It’s because yung mga taong hindi pa po nakakakilala sa amin, tapos ganon na po yung iniisip nila. Kumbaga, yung first impression kasi, ayun talaga ang matatandaan ng mga tao,” he explained.
While he understands that shipping is part of the fandom and is fine as long as it’s for fun, he believes it’s problematic when fans start fighting over it.
“[Alam ko namang part siya ng fandom] and it’s alright as long as katuwaan lang. Pero to the point na mag-away away na because of the petty thing na ganyan, it is not okay, I think, hindi na siya maganda,” Ken expressed his concern over the issue.
He further noted that they are now more cautious with their actions to avoid being misunderstood.
