Did Julie Anne San Jose and Rita Daniela ever have a rivalry?

Before achieving fame, Julie Anne San Jose and Rita Daniela participated in the singing competition "Popstar Kids."

On Friday’s “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” the Sparkle stars were asked how fierce the competition was for them.

“For us, parang hindi naman siya ganun ka-competitive. Parang we did not see it as a competition, eh. Parang magkakapatid kasi kami lahat so between us, kaming dalawa ni Rita, that time, close na talaga kami nun,” Julie Anne said.

[For us, it's like she wasn't that competitive. It's like we did not see it as a competition, you know. It's like we were all like siblings, so between us, me and Rita, at that time, we were already really close.]

Julie Anne recalled that Rita was the defending champion when she joined the show.

“Pero hindi pa kami close at that time. And then, I got a callback after a year tapos hanggang sa na-form na ‘yung group namin, hanggang sa naging contenders na kami, and then nag-grand finals na,” she said.

[But we weren't close at that time. And then, I got a callback after a year, and then our group was formed, until we became contenders, and then it reached the grand finals.]

“So, parang isa si Rita talaga sa mga pinaka-close ko ever since bata kami hanggang ngayon,” she added.

[So, it's like Rita is really one of my closest friends ever since we were kids until now.]

When asked if there was rivalry between them, Julie Anne answered, “Wala.” [None.]

But when it came to their parents, Rita admitted, “Parang hindi po maiiwasan ‘yan.”

“Kasi parang feeling nila sila ‘yung talagang nasa sa kompetisyon,” she quipped.

[It's like it can't be avoided. Because it's like they feel they are really in the competition.]

In June, Rita also said that she never felt envious of Julie Anne’s success.

"Popstar Kids" is a singing contest for kids that aired in 2005. Rita was hailed as the champion of Season 1, while Julie Anne was among the finalists.

Julie Anne was recently celebrated for her portrayal of Maria Clara in the historical portal fantasy series "Maria Clara at Ibarra." She also starred with Rayver Cruz in the film "The Cheating Game."

Meanwhile, Rita is now a mom to her son Uno, whom she gave birth to in December.

Before her pregnancy, she did a film with on-screen partner Ken Chan, "Huling Ulan sa Tag-Araw." She won a Jury Prize at the International Film Festival Manhattan 2022 for her performance.

Julie Ann and Rita are part of the “All Out Sunday” girl group Queendom with Jessica Villarubin, Thea Astley, Mariane Osabel, and Hannah Precillas.

They are set to have a concert titled "Queendom: Live" on December 2 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Newport World Resorts, Pasay City.

Tickets are available on the GMA Synergy website.

—Carby Basina/CACM, GMA Integrated News