Ogie Diaz says Careless exec made Liza Soberano look ‘cheap, delusional’ with his ‘Spider-Man’ claim

Days after Careless CEO Jeffrey Oh brought back a claim that Liza Soberano was offered to audition for the role of MJ (Michelle Jones) in the Marvel film series “Spider-Man,” the actress’ former manager Ogie Diaz firmly urged the label’s executive to provide proof of his claim.

Oh alleged last Tuesday, March 7 at the Department of Trade and Industry’s Philippine Creative Industries Summit that the actress received an offer to audition for MJ, the love interest of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man / Peter Parker, which eventually went to singer-actress Zendaya. However, Soberano herself had denied the claim back in June 2016.

Breaking his silence on Thursday, Diaz insisted on his YouTube vlog that Soberano did not receive an offer from Marvel to pursue the titular role. He also noted that the claim might have stemmed from a fan which spread a post speculating that the actress was being considered for a possible audition on social media.

“Pag dinedma ko ‘to, baka isipin ng iba na totoong nangyari ito. Ito ay may kinalaman sa sinabi ni Mr. Jeffrey Oh, ang CEO ng Careless na management ni Liza Soberano, tungkol doon sa panghinayang nila na si Liza Soberano sana ang gumanap na [MJ (Michelle Jones)] na leading lady ni Spider-Man noong 2016, 2017. Si Liza Soberano po mismo ang nagsabi na walang imbitasyon na galing sa Marvel,” he said.

(If I let this statement go, people might assume that it really happened. This is regarding what was bandied about by Mr. Jeffrey Oh, the CEO of Careless, which is currently the management of Liza Soberano, and his claim where she was supposedly offered to take on the role of MJ, Spider-Man’s leading lady in 2016 or 2017. Liza Soberano herself said that she did not receive an invitation from Marvel.)

“At ‘yung tweet na iyon ay galing sa isang fan na nagpakalat na naniniwala na posible na makapasok si Liza bilang isa sa mga extra or mga roles doon sa ‘Spider-Man’ kung siya ay sakaling maga-audition. Hindi ko alam kung nanggaling si Jeffrey Oh sa tweet ng fan na ‘yun or baka naman meron siyang resibo,” he further added.

(That claim might have come from a fan who spread a tweet on social media that there was a possibility that Liza had a chance to take on a role in “Spider-Man” should she have auditioned. I don’t know where Jeffrey Oh got this claim, if it’s from the fan itself, or if he has a proof.)

Diaz then urged Oh to show proof to back up his claim, saying that Soberano herself or her former management, Star Magic, did not receive an invitation from Marvel Studios.

“Mr. Jeffrey, you might want to release the receipt or proof that Liza received an invitation from Marvel to audition for the role of [MJ]. Dahil ako bilang former manager ni Liza at ang Star Magic ng ABS-CBN, as far as we know, walang imbitasyon mula sa Marvel — at yun ay sinegundahan din ni Liza. Kaya hindi ko alam saan nanggagaling si Mr. Jeffrey,” he noted.

(Mr. Jeffrey, you might want to release the receipt or proof that Liza received an invitation from Marvel to audition for the role of MJ. Because as a former manager of Liza and ABS-CBN’s Star Magic, as far as we know, we did not receive an invitation from Marvel — which Liza seconded herself. That’s why I don’t know where you were coming from, Mr. Jeffrey.)

“Kaya nga hinihingan ko ng resibo kasi baka kapag may resibo, makapag-sorry kami kay Liza. Sino naman ang may ayaw? Lead ‘yun, ‘no? At Hollywood movie ‘yun na pangarap ni Liza, pero wala nga pong imbitasyon. Alangan namang mang-gatecrash ka sa audition, wala namang gan’un. Ba’t hindi naman namin iaallow yung bata, diba? Although at that time, marami talagang ginagawa si Liza. Kasi may pangalan na si Liza. Popular na si Liza n’un kaya alangan namang nakatanghod lang siya sa bahay at naghihintay ng meron siyang audition mula sa Hollywood, diba?” he said.

(This is why I’m asking him to provide a receipt because if he does have proof, we can apologize to Liza. Who wouldn’t want that for Liza? That’s the lead role of a Hollywood film, which is Liza’s dream. But we didn’t receive an invitation. Of course, she can’t gatecrash an audition. That is not allowed. Why would we prohibit the child from pursuing the role, right? Although at that time, Liza was very busy because she already cemented her own name. Liza was already popular at that time, so I don’t think it’s possible that she’s just waiting around for an offer to audition in Hollywood, right?)

‘Pinagmukha mong illusyonada si Liza’

The TV personality also hoped that Oh had discussed with Soberano or Careless’ management before making such a claim, saying that the executive might have tainted the “Forevermore” star’s image.

“Kaya nga sana, nag-uusap sina Liza at ‘yung bago niyang management, or kinausap ni Mr. Jeffrey Oh si Liza [bago niyang pinakawalan ‘yung] statement kasi dahil diyan sa statement na yan, binash tuloy nang binash si Liza. Pinagmukha mong illusyonada si Liza. Jusko, hindi naman starlet si Liza. Sikat pa rin naman si Liza. Bakit kailangang dumaan sa ganitong ka-cheapan si Liza, diba?” he added.

(This is why I hope that Liza and her current management discussed this, or Mr. Jeffrey Oh had discussed it with Liza beforehand before making such a claim. Because of his statement, Liza was harshly bashed. You made Liza look delusional. My gosh, Liza is not a starlet. Liza is still popular. Why does Liza have to go through this cheap marketing ploy, right?)

While Diaz wondered if the statement was meant to be a Careless marketing strategy, he also called out Oh for making it seem that Soberano’s former management did not manage her acting career effectively.

“Hindi natin alam kung strategy ba ito ng Careless na lumikha ng ingay. If that is the case, edi bongga. They did it. And jusko naman, Mr. Jeffrey, kinukwestyon mo ‘yung 10 years na pagma-manage namin kay Liza? Mas nakakahiya naman kung sa loob ng 10 years na ‘yun ay wala namang nangyari kay Liza. ‘Yung hindi siya sumikat, ‘yung hindi siya nakilala, hindi siya naging successful,” he said.

(We don’t know if this is Careless’ strategy to make noise. If that is the case, then good. They succeeded. And my gosh, Jeffrey, you question our 10 years of managing Liza’s career? It’s more embarrassing if nothing happened to Liza in those 10 years; if she didn’t become popular, or she didn’t become well-known, or she didn’t become successful.)

The talent manager also noted that Careless might not have signed a contract with Soberano if she did not make a name for herself in the showbiz industry.

“After all, hindi niyo naman kukunin si Liza kung hindi rin naman siya sikat. Kung nanatili siyang starlet sa loob ng sampung taon, diba (After all, you wouldn’t take Liza under your wing if she’s not popular. If she remained as a starlet in those 10 years, right)? You cannot erase the fact that ABS-CBN, Star Magic, and Ogie Diaz were part of Liza Soberano’s success and popularity that you are enjoying. I know that you can take care of her as much as we did,” he said.

The “Alone Together” star, who signed with Careless in June 2022, has yet to issue a statement, as of this writing. EDV

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