Denise Julia hits back at critics of Tondo-themed performance

Singer responds to “inauthentic” claims, “poverty porn” remarks.

R&B singer Denise Julia became the first Filipina to appear on the U.S.-based performance series “From the Block,” featuring a Tondo-themed video.

Set in the streets of Tondo, Manila, the 24-year-old artist performed “SPEECHLESS,” a track from her latest EP “LOVE AGAIN.” Critics, however, said the concept was “inauthentic” and did not fit her style.

“It’s poverty porn at this point,” a user said on X. Another said, “Hindi naman ganyan itsura ng mga tao sa kalsada ng Pilipinas eh.”

The singer, whose real name is Julia Denise Lee, responded to the comments, explaining the series and the reasoning behind the performance’s creative direction.

“‘From the Block’ is an American platform built around artists showing the block they’re from,” she said. “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.”