Johnny Manahan clarified that there was no bad blood between him and GMA Network following his departure from the Kapuso network.
Speaking during the launch of Star Worx at the TV5 Center on May 5, Manahan explained that his contract with GMA simply ended after three years and was not renewed.
“I had a contract with [GMA] for three years. I was there for three years, and for the most part, they treated me very well. I got along with Jimmy Duavit and Mr. [Felipe] Yalong, some of the executives there. Of course, Atty. [Annette] Gozon,” he said.
According to Manahan, the network may have decided it could already manage things on its own after his stint.
“But after three years, they probably thought, and for a good reason, that they could handle things. They just wanted to find out if I could teach them something or deliver something already in addition to what they have there. Siguro, tapos na ‘yun,” he added.
Manahan also briefly joked about his previous exit from ABS-CBN.
“Hindi mo tinanong why did I leave the other channel,” he said before being redirected to another question.
The veteran talent manager is now among the leading figures behind Star Worx, TV5’s rebranded talent management arm formerly known as MQAA Artists Agency.
During the launch, TV5 also introduced the first batch of Star Worx artists composed of Adam Buck, Amo Wilding, Chan Martin, Nico Matugas, Patrick Ballesteros, Spencer Capistrano, Wayne Leonard, Carmela Lorzano, Celyn David, Kaitlyn King, Keisha Serna, Marthena Jickain, Nathalie Apollo, Rahil Gatali, Selina Griffin, and Steph Razon.
The artists reportedly underwent training since January 2026 through what Star Worx described as a “bootcamp of brilliance,” which included dance, singing, acting, and Filipino language workshops.
