Richard Gutierrez has chosen not to elaborate on the nature of his relationship with Barbie Imperial, maintaining that the actress has no involvement in his separation from estranged wife Sarah Lahbati.
During his conversation with Ogie Diaz on the talent manager’s Youtube channel, Richard neither confirmed nor denied their romance, stating: “Doon muna tayo sa what you see is what you get sa amin ni Barbie.”
The actor then stressed that his relationship with Barbie has nothing to do with his breakup with Sarah.
“Hindi siya third party, hindi nag-overlap. Kasi maraming mga tao, yun nga, mga bashers na nagsasabi na siya ang dahilan. Wala siyang kinalaman,” Richard said.
Richard said he felt the need to protect Barbie from the third-party allegations and hateful remarks, clarifying that he and Sarah have separated ways long before he met Barbie.
Barbie and Richard initially met as business partners at the opening of a gastropub in Alabang where they got to know each other.
“Nakilala ko si Barbie, matagal na kaming nagkahiwalay ng landas ni Sarah. So, yun, gusto ko lang i-clarify. Siyempre kasi parang ang daming nagre-react sa kanya, ang daming mga nag-hate comment sa kanya. So siyempre, kailangan ko siyang protektahan. Kailangan ko rin i-clarify yun, di ba?”
When asked what attracted him to Barbie, the actor described her as genuine, caring, and kind-hearted.
“Si Barbie kasi totoong-totoong tao. What you see is what you get talaga rin sa kanya. Mabuting tao, maalaga. Nakikita mo na genuine yung intentions niya, genuine yung pagkatao niya,” said Richard.
The actor also revealed that his marriage with Sarah is on the process of getting annulled.
