After nearly two years of persistent romance rumors, actors Richard Gutierrez and Barbie Imperial have finally addressed the speculation, confirming that they are indeed dating. The long-awaited confirmation was revealed during an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News on Monday, January 19, held in conjunction with a promotional event for their upcoming action drama series, Blood vs. Duty.
The confirmation put an end to months of public curiosity fueled by the pair’s frequent sightings together and joint appearances at various events. Despite the buzz, both Gutierrez and Imperial had consistently declined to comment on their relationship status—until now.
Imperial clarified that their silence was never meant to deceive the public. Instead, she emphasized that choosing privacy was a conscious and mutual decision. According to the actress, they were not hiding their relationship but simply protecting it from unnecessary scrutiny.
“We weren’t hiding anything. We just chose to keep our relationship private,” Imperial shared. She explained that maintaining a low profile helped them preserve what they had, adding that things unknown to the public are less likely to be affected by outside negativity.
Gutierrez echoed her sentiments, saying that privacy was something they agreed on from the very beginning. The actor noted that staying away from public pressure allowed their relationship to grow naturally and without stress.
“It’s more relaxed that way,” Gutierrez said. “We prefer keeping things private. It gives us peace.”
Romance rumors surrounding the two first emerged in 2024 when they were spotted together at a gastropub. Since then, they have been seen together multiple times, sparking speculation among fans and entertainment observers. Still, both actors skillfully avoided confirming or denying the reports, often deflecting questions during interviews.
Now that they have gone public, Gutierrez emphasized that what fans see is genuine, describing their relationship as simple and honest. Their openness has been warmly received by supporters, many of whom expressed excitement over the news on social media.
Adding to the buzz is their upcoming collaboration in Blood vs Duty, a high-octane action drama that also stars Gerald Anderson, Bela Padilla, and Baron Geisler. The series is expected to showcase not only intense action sequences but also compelling performances from its star-studded cast.
With their relationship now confirmed, Gutierrez and Imperial step into the spotlight not just as co-stars, but as a real-life couple—on their own terms.