Issa Pressman has spoken for the first time about her relationship with James Reid and the controversies surrounding it, confirming that she personally reached out to Nadine Lustre before she and James went public as a couple.
In an exclusive interview with Karen Davila released on November 13 on Karen Davila Official on YouTube, Issa also opened up about her identity as a bisexual woman and her three-year struggle with anxiety, depression, and self-harm.
During the interview, Karen noted the timeline of James and Nadine’s breakup.
Karen Davila: “He and Nadine have broken up roughly for one and a half to two years.”
Issa Pressman: “Yeah, it would have been three, no?”
James Reid: “I am single for two years.”
Issa clarified that before their relationship became public, she made sure to inform Nadine.
“Before we went out in public, I messaged Nadine pa. Of course, out of respect for them,” Issa said. “I told her, ‘We started dating and I really wanna see where this is gonna go.’”
According to Issa, Nadine responded positively.
“Good morning, to be honest that’s been a lifetime ago but I appreciate you telling me. I wish you guys the best of luck,” Nadine reportedly told her.
Issa also said that after receiving Nadine’s message, she and James felt it was appropriate to go public. Their first public appearance together was at a Harry Styles concert.
“We were so casual, nothing naman to hide. Suddenly, all the bashing came again,” she said.
In the same interview, Issa shared that she was the second woman James dated after his 2019 breakup with Nadine Lustre. She said this period also coincided with personal struggles involving anxiety, depression, and self-harm, which she kept private.
Issa added that James and her sister Yassi Pressman were among the people who supported her during those years.
She also discussed her upbringing with Yassi, recalling that the two of them worked at a young age after their father lost his job and their mother went abroad.
The interview featured emotional moments, including scenes where Issa broke down while recounting her experiences.
Issa said she hopes the ongoing public criticism directed at her will stop and stated that she chose to speak now to clarify issues that have circulated online for years. The full interview is available on Karen Davila Official on YouTube.
