It's a "season of changes" right now for singer-actress Nikki Gil. And she starts it by moving from ABS-CBN's Star Magic to ALV Talent Circuit, which is headed by talent manager Arnold Vegafria.
The 22-year-old celebrity said that she had to take on a new career direction, so she and her family decided to transfer to ALV as her contract with Star Magic ends in June this year.
"Well, we all know that the one constant thing in this world is change. And there are some things that we grow out of, maybe," Nikki told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) and other members of the press during the press launch of her third music album, Somebody To Love, yesterday afternoon, April 19, at the Centerstage Family KTV and Resto Bar on Tomas Morato, Quezon City.
Nikki further related, "Siguro this change, this has been given a lot of thought. Talagang pinag-isipan namin ito ng pamilya ko. It's not an overnight thing. We had been meeting with both camps, with Mr. Arnold Vegafria and Star Magic. We have come to agree that it would be best for me to go under ALV [Talent Circuit, Inc.] in order to achieve the direction that I want to take. Parang siguro hindi lang nag-marry ang aming direksiyon that we wanted to take. ALV has offered to take me there."
When she and her family came up with the final decision, Nikki said her parents formally informed Star Magic, which took care of her career for four years.
Nikki said, "Lahat naman ng inumpisahan namin, bilang maayos, tatapusin naman namin nang maayos. I sought the help of my parents since sila naman talaga ang nakipag-usap with Tita Mariole [Alberto, Star Magic head] from the very beginning, sila rin 'yong nagpunta doon. They humbly went to their office to ask for approval."
FOCUSING ON HER SINGING CAREER. As the new talent of ALV, Nikki will be focusing more on her singing career.
"Well, pumasok naman ako sa industriya as a singer, so 'yon po ang talagang pinaka-enjoy akong gawin. And hindi po ako masyadong nabibigyan ng pagkakataong makapag-perform as a solo artist so 'yon po sana ang direksiyon na gusto kong i-take," she told the press.
This could also mean more work opportunities with her boyfriend Billy Crawford, who is also one of the talents of Arnold Vegafria.
"I'm sure may mga fringe benefits, may mga perks for having the same management dahil siguro magkakaroon kami ng outside work together. Not that we don't already have that. We've been getting work outside ABS-CBN, outside TV," Nikki said.
But Nikki clarified that both of them agreed that their personal relationship shouldn't be mixed with their showbiz careers.
She said, "Kaming dalawa kasi, gusto naming pinaghihiwalay ang business side of our relationship and 'yong personal. Alam ni ALV 'yan. Meron siyang iba-ibang strategy sa bawat artist. And he has plans for him alone and for me alone. So, hindi po magkaka-interfere ang aming trabaho."
The Kapamilya singer also clarified that Billy has nothing to do with her decision to transfer to ALV.
"Kami kasi ni Billy, pinaghihiwalay namin ang trabaho and our personal lives. And he has nothing to do with my transfer to ALV. Nakita ko kung paano sila naalagaan—how they were managed to the the directions that they want for themselves as an artist," Nikki explained.
IS NIKKI ALSO TRANSFERRING TO OTHER NETWORK? Since the Kapamilya singer is now being managed by ALV Talent Circuit—which also handles the showbiz careers of Kapuso stars like Bianca King, Kris Lawrence, Jay-R, Carla Abellana—is there a possibility for Nikki to transfer to the other network, too?
"Well, right now, as far as I'm concerned, I'm happily a Kapamilya. Pero as to the direction nga that ALV will want me to take, sa kanila ko na ipapaubaya 'yon," she replied.
Nikki added, "Hindi ko naman po mako-confirm 'yan. Well, I'm a new talent. As far as transferring is concerned, hindi pa namin 'yan nadi-discuss. But, of course, I trust my new management so I will give them a free hand kung ano ang gusto nilang gawin."
It can be recalled that after her hit Coca-Cola TV commercial called "Sana," Nikki first appeared as a guest in Eat Bulaga!. She also performed once in GMA-7's defunct Sunday musical-variety show SOP and appeared as a celebrity challenger in Extra Challenge before she became a Kapamilya talent.
As Nikki said, she just gives her full trust to ALV while concentrating on her activities as an artist.
"Siguro the business side of it, ipapasa ko na sa aking management. Ang concern ko lang ngayon is my responsibility as a talent, which is to hone my craft and to do well in whatever is given to me," she said.
When asked if she would be open to the idea of transferring to ASAP XV's rival, Party Pilipinas, Nikki indirectly answered, "Once again, I leave that to my management. Sila na po ang magde-decide kung saan po nila ako gustong dalhin. For me, I will go to where I am needed. Pupunta ako kung saan ko gagamitin at kung saan ko maise-share the most ng aking skill."
Aside from ASAP XV every Sunday, Nikki also appears in ABS-CBN's weekly fantaserye Agimat: Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla Presents: Tonyong Bayawak.
Nikki is also busy preparing for her biggest theater project, Atlantis Production's Legally Blonde (The Musical), which opens in June at the Meralco Theater.