Paul Salas denies being a Justin Bieber copycat

Former child star Paul Salas admitted he was nervous when he found out he got the lead role in the Kapamilya network’s newest teen-oriented show Oka2kat. The show is a remake of the 1997 original horror series Oka Tokat. “Siyempre happy ako na nabigyan ako ng lead role sa Oka2kat at saka nagpapa-thank you din ako kay Lord. Kaya pressured din ako eh. Na-pre-pressure din ako kasi mahirap din yung ganitong role pero ginagawa ko talaga ang best ko. Sobrang saya ko. Hindi ko ma-explain sa inyo kung gaano ka saya yung feeling. Iniisip ko last year tini-taping ko lang ito tapos ngayon ipapalabas na. kaya nagpapasalamat talaga ako,” he admitted during the Oka2kat presscon at the ABS-CBN compound.

The 13 year-old said there is a certain pressure on being the lead as the youngest member of the cast. “Siyempre masaya ako kasi ako yung pinaka-bata sa cast tapos first experience ko ito na ako ung bida sa Oka2kat so sana maging successful kaming lahat at saka hindi lang naman ako ang bida kundi kaming lahat,” he said.

The heartthrob-in-the-making shared one of his most unforgettable moments last year when he went to watch the Justin Bieber concert held at the Mall of Asia. The Toda Max actor got mobbed while trying to leave the concert when fans mistook him for the popular singer. Although Paul admitted that there are similarities between his hairstyle and wardrobe to that of the Canadian pop star, he denied copying Justin on purpose. “Nagkataon lang na pareho kami ng buhok at porma. Gusto ko siya. Hindi naman ako hater sa kanya. Nung concert niya nung una alam nila na ako si Paul Salas so nagpa-picture muna hanggang sa dumami na yung mga nagpa-picture na akala nung iba na hindi pa nakakakita na ako si Justin Bieber so nag-sigaw yung isa ng Justin Bieber so sinugod ako. Akala nila ako talaga (laughs) kasi naka-jacket ako, mahaba buhok. Pero hindi ko talaga sinasadya, nagulat nga ako eh,” he shared with Push.com.ph.

Paul said he is excited to work on another exciting new project after doing Mula Sa Puso last year. “Nagpapasalamat ako sa ABS-CBN at nabigyan ako ng new show kasi medyo pressured kasi sa akin nga tumatakbo yung storya. Pressured talaga ako,” he admitted.

Apart from Makisig Morales, Paul’s other co-stars include Sue Anna Ramirez, Jane Oineza, and newcomer Joshua Colet. Paul said that he considers them more of friends rather than competitors in the industry. “Wala naman akong struggle sa ganun. Yung age ko, I’m really like a 13 year old. Hindi naman ako nape-pressure kasi si Makisig dapat sa Super Inggo ipagsasama kami kaso ‘di ba nasa ibang network pa ako nun. Sayang yun pero ngayon magkatrabaho na kami. Kaming dalawa talaga yung mag-best friends. Best friend ko talaga si Makisig. Hindi naman ako nape-pressure kasi barkada ko naman lahat at saka nagkakasayahan kami sa set.”

Catch Oka2kat Saturdays at 4 pm after Showbiz Inside Report. For more updates on Paul and Oka2kat, log on daily to Push.com.ph and follow @Push_Mina on Twitter.