Singer Denise Julia has responded to online backlash following the release of her From The Block performance video for her song Speechless, which shows her dancing with women on the streets of Tondo.
“U all need to relax,” Denise wrote on X. “From the Block is an American platform built around artists showing the block they’re from. [I]’m from Tondo, so [I] simply filmed in Tondo, brought my people out, and worked with a Filipino director, crew, and designer to show the place and culture that made me.”
Denise added that this was the first time a Filipino artist brought the platform to the Philippines, and that their work was ultimately featured on a Times Square billboard in New York.
“As my audience grows globally, I’m making sure people know where I come from and what I represent,” she said. “And I’m only going to be louder about that the bigger I get! If you get it, you get it. If you don’t, that’s ok too.”
The controversy began after a user on X reshared a clip from the video, questioning her aesthetic.
“When will she hire a creative director? The Tondo street girl style isn’t just doing it for her, I fear it’s just so inauthentic,” the user wrote.
The critic claimed her main audience consists of early-20s, upper-middle-class girls “who are arguing with their situationship on iMessage,” adding, “Let’s get back on the writing board and put on some sparkly dresses mama.”
Meanwhile, others came to Denise’s defense, arguing that the controversy itself proves her branding is effective.
“It in fact works, because people like you keep on bubbling at the mouth every release. Publicity is in fact publicity,” one user noted. “Y’all hate women and let men run free with their cheap-ass imitations.”
Another supporter pointed out the double standard, adding, “And if she does a conyo girl vibe, people will just say she’s too elitist and not relatable enough.”
Denise is a 24-year-old artist known for her hit tracks B.A.D. and 2GOOD4U. She released her first single, Difficult.
She is dubbed as the “Patron Saint of Situationship” by her fans because of her relatable songs.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source philstarlife.com ’
