Mannix Carancho breaks silence on Fyang Smith backlash, dating rumors

Talent manager defends young star, clarifies JM Ibarra issue and reveals how he built her career.

“When you’re on social media, try to keep it a bit more low-key—more demure, not too hyper.”

It’s a simple piece of advice, but one Mannix Carancho consistently reminds young star Fyang Smith to help her steer clear of online backlash.

Long before the buzz and bright lights, it was Carancho who spotted Fyang’s star power and set it in motion. As the force behind Mannix Management and CEO of Prestige International, he helped build her rising name.

When radar Entertainment sat down with Carancho, he opened up about guiding Fyang through one of the industry’s harshest realities: public scrutiny.

“Feeling kasi ni Fyang, parang ’pag nakilala ka niya, close ka na niya kaagad kahit ’di pa niya masyadong nakakasama. Feeling ko paglalambing niya ’yon, kaya nami-misinterpret siya ng mga tao,” he said, noting how her natural warmth can be taken the wrong way.

As for claims that success has gotten to her head, Carancho dismissed them outright. “Malaki ang ulo? Para sa akin hindi—parang mas bumait pa, mas seryoso sa trabaho. Siguro kailangan lang niya mabigyan ng oras para makilala siya. Mabait siya, walang insecurities. Ang gusto lang niya ay mag-enjoy.”

Still, he acknowledged that growing visibility requires adjustment, especially online. “Sinasabihan ko siya na ’di na puwede katulad dati na very hyper. Ngayon medyo pa-demure ka na. ’Di lahat ng brands gusto ’yong ganyang attitude. Kung napapanood ninyo siya, medyo kalmado na.”

For Carancho, backlash is almost a rite of passage, one that has helped toughen Fyang up. “Noong time kasi namin, sanay kami ma-bash. Naging training ground niya ’yon para ’di masyadong magpaapekto. Huwag lang siguro na ’yong nanay niya ang ma-bash kasi doon siya maaapektuhan. Pero ’pag sa kanya lang, parang wala lang.”

He believes she is holding her ground, backed by a strong support system. “Sa tingin ko nakakayanan niya. Ang mga nakapaligid sa kanya, sinusuportahan siya, lalo na ang managers niya.”

Fyang is currently being paired with JM Ibarra, with recent speculation claiming they are already living together, drawing criticism given their age. Fyang turned 20 in May.

“Ang alam ko nanliligaw [si JM]. Ang payo ko, kilalanin niya munang mabuti bago mag-decide. Live-in? Baka misunderstood lang. They have decided na huwag nang magsalita lalo na ’pag alam nila ang totoo,” he said.

Carancho also shared how Fyang joined Mannix Management through a deliberate process. “As a visitor, nag-stay siya for three months. Tsinek namin kung okay ang attitude niya, kung magkakasundo ba kami. Kahit abutin ng six months o one year bago pumirma, okay lang. Mas mabuti ’yon kaysa pumirma tapos mag-aaway. Nag-stay siya, nag-live selling, binigyan ng online projects habang nag-aaral sa Manila.”

Today, he continues to co-manage her career alongside Star Magic. “As co-manager, ang nasusunod na talaga is Star Magic. Kung ano ang kailangan ni Fyang, susuportahan ko at bibigyan ng guidance.”

Carancho beams with pride as industry veterans take notice of Fyang’s growth. Regal Entertainment’s Roselle Monteverde-Teo has even likened her to the next Maricel Soriano.

“Nakaka-proud kasi galing sa kanya. Siguro nakatulong din ang training namin sa Mannix sa mga proyekto niya,” he said, adding: “Likas na sa kanya ang pag-arte. Mahal niya ang ginagawa niya kaya nailalabas niya ang full potential niya.”

Beyond Fyang, Carancho is focused on building a new generation of digital stars under Mannix Management, now home to 72 content creators, including Ms. Q&A, Riri Navarro, Chona Vibes, Mami Bhie, and Keith Bryan.

To keep operations tight, he has built a structured system of managers overseeing talents. “Marami akong managers under me para nababantayan per department. Si Amanda Salas ang pinaka-manager. This month training sa dance, sa susunod acting naman.”

Favoritism, he stressed, has no place in his camp. “’Di nila mararamdaman ’yon kasi umiikot ang support. Kapag may spotlight ang isang artist, full support ako. Sa tingin ko ’di sila magseselos kasi lahat nabibigyan ng tamang proyekto.”

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