When Barbie Forteza appeared in a heartfelt interview on Toni Talks, she opened up about her breakup with long-time partner Jak Roberto and shared how she was slowly healing and learning to love herself again. In the video, which has since resonated with thousands, Barbie calmly stated, “I’m taking time to focus on myself… Love will come at the right time.”

At the time, many admired her maturity and self-awareness. She wasn’t bitter. She wasn’t broken. She was simply a woman rebuilding herself after a long relationship, choosing peace over drama and healing over haste.

Fast forward to mid-2025, and the internet finds itself buzzing with a new name next to Barbie’s: Jameson Blake. The two were seen participating in a 10K charity run together, smiling for photos and proudly holding their medals. Their chemistry seemed effortless. Fans immediately began to speculate whether something more than friendship was brewing. Was this Barbie’s “soft launch” of a new relationship? Had she finally moved on?

In response to the rising curiosity, Barbie addressed the rumors directly during an interview on 24 Oras. She stated clearly, “We are not together… He invited me to join a run. That’s it.” With that, she reaffirmed the very values she expressed in the Toni Gonzaga interview — prioritizing friendship, being present, and not rushing into love just for the sake of appearances.

When comparing Barbie’s current actions with her earlier declarations, they don’t contradict each other — they align with the evolution of someone who is open yet grounded. Back then, she said she was focusing on herself and rebuilding her identity. Today, she seems to be doing just that — exploring life, connecting with friends, and enjoying new experiences without needing to define everything as romantic.

It’s also important to understand the context. Barbie and Jameson are colleagues. They share a healthy, supportive friendship that has now drawn public attention. But even in the face of speculation, Barbie has maintained a calm and transparent stance. She’s not hiding anything — she simply knows her truth and doesn’t feel the need to validate every rumor.

Public opinion has been mixed but mostly supportive. Many believe Barbie deserves love again, whether now or later. Others point out that running together doesn’t mean dating. More admirers, however, are praising her for staying consistent with her earlier statements — respecting her own timeline, being emotionally intelligent, and remaining authentic despite the noise around her.

Her career, too, is thriving. Barbie recently starred in Beauty Empire, which premiered on Viu in June and is now airing on GMA. She’s also leading in P77, a psychological thriller set to hit theaters on July 30. It’s clear that her focus hasn’t shifted away from herself or her passions. In fact, the opposite may be true — she seems more aligned with her purpose than ever before.

Revisiting the Toni Talks interview now adds even more weight. When Barbie said, “I’ve lost myself for a while… I’m slowly rebuilding who I am,” she wasn’t just offering a one-time statement. She was foreshadowing the season she’s still living today: a journey of renewal, one that doesn’t close the door on love but welcomes it only if and when it feels right.

In the end, Barbie Forteza never promised she would stay single forever. What she promised — through her words and actions — is that she would stay true to herself. And in 2025, even amid speculation, she’s doing exactly that.