Singer-actor Markki Stroem has always had to deal with assumptions over his sexuality. The 34-year-old crooner didn’t back down when some netizens claimed he was homosexual and forced him to disclose his sexual orientation.
On March 17, PEP.ph’s official Twitter account posted an article about Stroem’s new clothing line. The tweet addressed the actor’s current preoccupations during the lockdown, which the caption read, “Pinagkaabalahan ni Markki Stroem during the lockdown…”
One Netizen responded to the caption of the post and tweeted, “Manlalake beki yan.”
Manlalake 🤣🤣🤣 beki yan
— Julia Not Barretto 🌸🌺🎀🌷 (@QueenJuliaBA) March 17, 2021
Stroem did not hold back in his response to the netizen’s tweet, expressing his resentment and dismay. He stated to be confused as to why the netizen was having issues with his sexuality.
“Can you tell me how this make a person worse? Just inquiring. Is sexuality still a prejudice in this day and age? Why does homophobia stem from mostly women and other gay men? Please enlighten me. I want to know how long it will take before we can all treat each other equally,” he wrote.
Can you tell me how this make a person worse? Just inquiring. Is sexuality still a prejudice in this day and age? Why does homophobia stem from mostly women and other gay men? Please enlighten me. I want to know how long it will take before we can all treat each other equally.
— Markki Stroem (@Markkistroem) March 17, 2021
He also reacted to a tweet from another netizen urging him to reveal his gender identity.
The netizen tweeted, “Magladlad ka na kasi @Markkistroem para matapos na ang issue about sa sexuality mo. Alam naman ng lahat about sayo. Confirmation na lang talaga ang hinihintay ng tao.”
Magladlad ka na kasi @Markkistroem para matapos na ang issue about sa sexuality mo. Alam naman ng lahat about sayo. Confirmation nalang talaga ang hinihintay ng tao
— KPOP FAN (@TEAMMADAMCORA10) March 17, 2021
In his response, the actor claimed that forcing someone to come out against their personal will is bullying and that he will not stand for it. He followed his tweet with a photo of him with his parent’s house in the background.
“There is a word called RESPECT. No one deserves an explanation about anything in our lives! Do not allow anyone to tell you what to do and not to do. I will not stand by this bullying. Hello from my parents house. Have a wonderful day,” wrote Stroem.
There is a word called RESPECT. No one deserves an explanation about anything in our lives! Do not allow anyone to tell you what to do and not to do. I will not stand by this bullying. Hello from my parents house 👋. Have a wonderful day pic.twitter.com/x7dwgFFhd7
— Markki Stroem (@Markkistroem) March 17, 2021
The critic replied again, telling Stroem that due to rumors about his sexuality, he would continue to be associated with fellow actor Marvin Agustin. The netizen also showed Stroem the previous viral photo of him and Agustin lying next to each other.
“I respect you Markki kung ayaw mo pa magsalita about sa sexuality mo. Choice mo yan. Basta ako hindi ka nila tatantanan hanggat di ka pa umaamin. Just gonna leave it here…..” @TEAMMADAMCORA10 said.
I respect you Markki kung ayaw mo pa magsalita about sa sexuality mo. Choice mo yan. Basta ako hindi ka nila tatantanan hanggat di ka pa umaamin. Just gonna leave it here….. pic.twitter.com/XM2nUoq9nW
— KPOP FAN (@TEAMMADAMCORA10) March 17, 2021
There was no confirmation whether the photo was real or manipulated. But Stroem wished and prayed for healing for the netizen.
“I wish you so much healing in your life. I hope things work out for you. I genuinely pray for healing.”
I wish you so much healing in your life. I hope things work out for you. I genuinely pray for healing
— Markki Stroem (@Markkistroem) March 17, 2021
Rumors linking celebrity friends Stroem and Agustin began to circulate online following tweets from some netizens alleging that they were seen together on various trips within the country and abroad. However, both of them denied the allegations about them.
In November 2017, the actor-turned entrepreneur Agustin shrugged off the rumors, confirming that he is just a friend of the singer. He also claimed that he has been in the entertainment industry for more than two decades and that nothing seems to concern him.
In January 2018, rumors about their relationship fueled after several netizens commented “#lovewins” on a trip photo posted by Stroem on Instagram, in which Agustin was present.
Agustin did not react to this, but he posted a cryptic message on Instagram with a caption, “NEVER. BE. JUDGEMENTAL.”
Meanwhile, in May 2018, the Filipino-Norwegian singer-actor told PEP.ph that he and Agustin are just friends. He added that they do business together, which is why they have been working together.
In 2010, Markki Stroem became a grand finalist in the first season of Pilipinas Got Talent, which launched his career in the music industry. Since then, he has tried it all, from songwriting and arranging to producing and directing music videos for artists Rachelle Ann Go, Christian Bautista, Noel Cabangon, and others.
Stroem made his theatre debut in the award-winning musical “Next to Normal” in 2011, followed by a lead role as Joe Jonas in Repertory’s “Camp Rock” musical in 2012. In 2013, he also played a demanding role in Atlantis Production’s “Carrie: The Musical.” He was the leading man in PETA’s musical “Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady” in 2015.
Among his other theaters included Jersey Boys (Atlantis, 2016), Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko (Ballet Philippines, 2016), Hair (Repertory, 2017), Side Show (Atlantis, 2018), and Angels in America (Atlantis, 2019).
He is known as today’s Contemporary Crooner, and his first solo album, “Thousands of Pieces,” released under Cornerstone Music, topped the Astroplus top-selling album charts in September 2012.
He joined ASAP’s Boys R Boys (BRB) and won the Guillermo Mendoza Box Office Awards for Most Promising Male Group. He also appeared on ABS-CBN shows such as Wako Wako (2012), Dyesebel (2015), and Doble Kara (2016). He recently starred in Adolfo Alix Jr’s boys’ love (BL) series “Unlocked,” premiered on the streaming platform GagaOOLala.
He also starred in the following films: Cinema One Originals’ “Slumber Party” (2012), Cinemalaya’s “Amor Y Muerte” (2013), Star Cinema’s “Raketeros” (2013), Metro Manila Film Festival’s “10,000 Hours” (2013), “Halik sa Hangin” and “Buy Now, Die Later” both in 2015 and “I Love You, Hater” in 2018.
Stroem is currently a host on Monster RX93.1’s award-winning radio talk show “The Morning Rush.”
