Johaira of Baby Dolls Clears the Air on Her Bond With Vice Ganda
Baby Dolls member Johaira has clarified that she and Vice Ganda remain close after the colorism controversy that erupted on It’s Showtime last July. She spoke about the issue during her guesting on GMA-7’s Fast Talk with Boy Abunda on Thursday, November 5, GMA News reported.
“First of all, Meme and I are OK,” Johaira said in a mix of Filipino and English, referring to Vice by her nickname. “Meme, she’s like my mother. So it makes me sad that it happened and that it blew up. I want to clarify that we did not have a problem and we are super OK.”
Johaira added that she learned a lot from the episode, realizing that no matter what a person says or does, it is impossible to please everyone. Her remarks come months after some It’s Showtime viewers accused Vice of making a colorist joke involving Johaira on the July 24 episode of the noontime program.
The backlash grew quickly online, with critics calling for greater sensitivity in jokes and humor aimed at darker-skinned performers. Vice later apologized on air, saying the show never intended to offend its audience and that the hosts had listened to the feedback, as PhilSTAR Life earlier reported.
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board also summoned It’s Showtime producers after receiving multiple complaints about the episode. The board asked whether the segment complied with rules against content considered contrary to good customs or public morals, and ordered a response within seven days.
Baby Dolls is a seven-member girl group formed on It’s Showtime and known for the hit song “Oooh Lala Baby,” which became one of the year’s breakout tracks. The group is set to hold a concert at the SM North EDSA Skydome on November 8, giving fans another chance to see Johaira and her bandmates perform live.
By speaking up on national television, Johaira put to rest lingering speculation that the controversy had damaged her relationship with the host who helped launch the group’s career.
For many fans, her simple reassurance may be the clearest sign yet that the bond between the Baby Dolls and Vice Ganda remains intact.
