James Reid, the multi-talented actor-singer turned entrepreneur, has addressed recent controversies surrounding his talent management company, Careless, shedding light on the challenges they’ve faced, particularly involving his business partner, Jeffrey Oh, and a work permit issue in the Philippines.
In an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News, James Reid shared insights into the obstacles they’ve encountered while running Careless in a competitive industry. He acknowledged that the journey had been far from smooth, with the past year presenting some of the most significant challenges.
One such challenge was the controversy surrounding Jeffrey Oh’s work permit in the Philippines. Rumors had circulated, alleging that James Reid’s father, Malcolm Reid, had played a role in raising concerns about Oh’s work permit with the Bureau of Immigration.
Reid candidly revealed his shock at the rumors, expressing that it took him and his family by surprise. He recounted his father’s reaction, stating, “When it came out, he said, ‘James, what did I do?’ So yeah, he was shocked. Simplest way to say it is, he had nothing to do with it. It’s surprising and we can joke about it but he was upset with everything that has been happening, the misunderstandings. He was upset on my behalf.”
James Reid was keen to clarify that his father had absolutely no involvement in the matter. He emphasized that the situation was as surprising and bewildering for his father as it was for them, adding that his father was genuinely upset about the misunderstandings and rumors.
Fans of James Reid and fellow artist Liza Soberano had expressed concerns that these developments might impact their careers and upcoming projects. Reid, however, sought to reassure fans, particularly about Soberano’s future endeavors. He hinted at exciting and unique projects in the pipeline for her and encouraged fans to look forward to them.
James Reid himself had upcoming plans, with his latest single, ‘Jacuzzi,’ set to release at the end of October, featuring a prominent Korean artist. Acknowledging that Careless was a smaller company, he underscored their unwavering dedication and hard work while asking for patience and continued support from their fans.
In the midst of these controversies, veteran showbiz columnist Cristy Fermin made claims last month that Malcolm Reid was responsible for the arrest of Careless Management’s CEO, Jeffrey Oh. Fermin suggested financial issues as the root cause of the dispute between Malcolm and Jeffrey.
Despite the challenges and speculations, James Reid remains committed to the success of his business and career, determined to navigate the entertainment industry with professionalism and integrity.
