Barbie’s ‘ideal leading man’ remark on Khalil sparks shade speculation online

Actress praises Khalil Ramos, netizens question if comment hints at past leading men.

Barbie Forteza is once again at the center of online discussion after her recent praise for Khalil Ramos as an “ideal leading man,” with some netizens interpreting her statement as a possible shade toward her previous onscreen partners.

“Khalil is the ideal leading man… Finally, nagkaroon na ako ng leading man na maayos,” she said in a recent chat with showbiz scribes.

“Ang tino kasi. Brilliant actor. Ibabalik ko sa kanya, he is also an ‘actor’s actor,’” she declared. ”I love working with actors who also love what they do, who understand what they’re doing–why they are here–and who are just as hungry to do good, to be good. Napaka-professional. Napaka-gentleman. Laki ko sinasabi kay Gabby… goals talaga sila. Napakatino at napaka disenteng lalaki.”

The remark prompted questions from netizens about whether her previous leading men—including Ken Chan, David Licauco, Joshua Dionisio, and Andre Paras—were being compared unfavorably to her current partner.

Others, however, defended Barbie, saying her comment could simply reflect her appreciation for Khalil and their working dynamic.

The actress currently has several major projects lined up, giving her career another busy chapter beyond her familiar love-team roles.

She stars in Regal Entertainment’s “Saving Cherry,” an upcoming buddy comedy directed by Ivan Andrew Payawal, where she takes on a more mature, against-type role.

Barbie is also set to headline Onat Diaz’s “Honor Thy Mother,” alongside Sharon Cuneta. The series marks a collaboration between GMA Network, ABS-CBN’s Dreamscape Entertainment, and Prime Video, centering on family drama and maternal sacrifice.

She also plays lead in Derick Cabrido’s “P77,” an upcoming horror film from GMA Pictures that will be distributed internationally by Warner Bros. Philippines.

Adding to her growing slate, Barbie is set to co-star with Enchong Dee in “Paskong Pinoy,” a Netflix holiday anthology series scheduled for December 2026.

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