Is Billy Crawford here to stay…

Since the end of Philippine Dream Academy (PDA) last year, the ABS-CBN reality-TV which he co-hosted with girlfriend Nikki Gil, Billy Crawford has shed more than 30 pounds, 20 of them in only the past month, but he has to lose 10 more to hit the ideal 137 for his 5’11" frame. He does it by playing basketball and badminton, and taking generous servings of a slimming tea that drives him to the comfort room as often as five to six times a day.

That’s why he came almost an hour late — “urgent” call of nature, you know — for this interview in which he bares his heart for the very first time on the many issues swirling around him, in time for the release of his CD titled Groove by Universal Records.

First, his love life which was made more exciting by “exes” such as Mandy Moore (who got married recently to singer-songwriter Ryan Adams) and KC Concepcion (while she was studying in Paris and Billy was at the peak of his popularity as Europe’s pop star)…and the American choreographer who helped train him before he started hosting the GMA show Move which searched for Billy’s back-up dancers in his Big Dome show.

Asked if, according to a wild rumor, he has a love child with the choreographer, Billy answered with a big no.

“To be honest with you, my family history is kind of crazy. Since I was a kid in showbiz, I had to keep the identity of my brother a secret because my family didn’t want it publicized that my mom had a relationship before my father and my father had his own relationship before my mother. I have two older half brothers, one on my mom’s side and the other on my dad’s side. So I understand the feeling na itatago mo ang anak mo, so I would never do it. I guess my mom and my dad are proud of me na wala akong anak out of wedlock.”

He must be good at, ehem…self-control?

He laughed. “You know, I have had several relationships and I assure you that it’s not all about sex, not about making love or anything. My first long relationship was with Lorie who was like the Britney Spears of France. She was my longest relationship. I was 18 and she was 19.”
Mandy Moore was more of a puppy love. And KC? “I’d rather not say anything. The last time I did was on Mo Twister’s radio program.” Mo asked Billy who between Mandy and KC was the better kisser and Billy said it was KC. “I got burned,” Billy laughed. “I got a lot of flak for that casual comment, so ayoko nang magsalita pa.”

But he’s talking about his reconciliation with German “Kuya Germs” Moreno, Billy’s mentor who got peeved when Billy moved from GMA to rival station ABS-CBN without informing him.

“I already apologized to him,” said Billy who recently guested on Kuya Germs’ show Master Showman. “I even congratulated him for winning Best Supporting Actor (from the PMPC Star Awards, for Paupahan). We had a heart-to-heart talk. Kuya Germs is like a father to me. He has been taking care of me since I was five years old. I know that he really, really cares for me.”

On the Groove CD, Billy sings covers, all well-loved and enduring, such as Steal Away; Sexy Eyes; Rock With You; Let’s Groove; Could It Be I’m Falling In Love; Lovely Day; Never Let Her Slip Away; Human Nature; Someone; How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You); Mercy, Mercy Me; One Last Cry; and You’ve Got A Friend, a duet with Nikki Gil with whom he has been going steady for more than a year.

“Nikki and I click because we have many things in common. Like Nikki, I am family-centered. When I need some suggestions and before I make any decision, I go to my family first before I seek out my friends. That’s the same thing I see in Nikki. The first person she always calls is her mom. I don’t think I can find somebody like Nikki. Mahirap makahanap ng katulad niya.”

Billy has been shuttling between the States and the Philippines these past many years, and also Europe where he reigned as a pop superstar. He would stay for a few weeks. But this time, he seems to be here…for good? Does it mean he’s turning his back on his international career?

“No, no, no, no, no! The Philippines is gonna be my base. I do have a lot of projects here. But I’m not leaving my international career. Whatever I am doing here is not necessarily what I’m doing over there. I am recording an album for release in Europe. For someone who just wants to be onstage more than anything, I just have to make up for the 15 years lost that I haven’t been here. I haven’t spent as much time here as I am doing now. And I’m enjoying it; I’m happy with what I’m doing.”

• Philstar
• Pinoy Showbiz

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