JAZZ OCAMPO gets her biggest break in “Sinungaling Mong Puso” where she plays the role first portrayed by Aiko Melendez in the original movie. Of American-Spanish descent, Jazz’ full name is Jazmin Leslie Ocampo MacDonald. She turned 18 last December 17 and first tried showbiz when she joined Little Miss Philippines in “Eat Bulaga” when she was 7 years old. But she was discovered when she joined TV5’s Star Factor talent search in 2011, where Eula Caballero won.
She was featured in such TV5 shows as “Bangis” and “Enchanted Garden”. Then she moved to GMA-7 and did “InstaDad” and “My Faithful Husband”. Her last show was “That’s My Amboy”, where she was first paired with Kiko Estrada. Now, she plays Kiko’s young wife in “Sinungaling Mong Puso”.
Off cam, Kiko is in a relationship with Barbie Forteza (which he denies, but which Barbie admits.) Did she have any inkling while she was taping “That’s My Amboy” with Kiko and Barbie that they are already romantically involved? “I didn’t know anything,” she says. “Barbie and I share the same tent but she never mentioned to me anything about Kiko. Magaling silang magtago, e. Nagulat na lang ako nang lumabas yung balita about them after our show ended na. But I’m happy for both of them kasi friends ko naman sila.”
Kiko was also linked before to Kim Rodriguez. Did he ever make any overtures to her? “Ay, never po siyang pumorma sa akin. Baka si Barbie talaga ang mas type niya.”
How does she feel playing Kiko’s young wife now in “Sinungaling Mong Puso”? “It’s very challenging to me kasi spoiled brat ako, super selosa at laging nagdududa. I’ve never played such a role before. Tapos, may confrontation scenes pa ako with Kiko and with Rhian Ramos na ka-affair niya. So I surely will give it my best kasi mahirap namang mapahiya ako sa kanila at kay Direk Ricky Davao.”
Will she have bed scenes with Kiko? “So far, wala pa kaming ganung eksena. But alam naman ni Direk Ricky na may limitations pa ako as I’m still so young. Honestly, hindi pa ako ready, even for kissing scenes. If ever pagagawa nila sa’kin, kailangan kong i-prepare muna nang husto ang sarili ko dahil ayoko naman sabihin nilang nag-iinarte ako.”
Is she afraid she might be compared with Aiko Melendez? “May pressure but let’s face it, Aiko Melendez is Aiko Melendez, super galing na aktres. I’m just thankful na pinag-a-acting workshop ako ng GMA to improve my craft para naman I can interpret the role in my own way.”
Jazz has never had a boyfriend. She’s being linked to Javi Benitez, son of a congressman, Albee Benitez from Negros. “He’s a decent and humble guy pero wala akong time. Kasi bukod sa showbiz career ko, I’m still in school. Gusto kong matapos yung course kong business management. So having a boyfriend is not a priority at all.”
