As Diego Gutierrez signs a contract with ABS-CBN’s Star Magic, he is determined to carve his own path and succeed on his own terms— and not because he is from a prominent showbiz clan.

The 28-year-old Gutierrez may be relatively new to the entertainment scene, having only started making music since 2020, but his showbiz stock is as royal as they go, being the son of actors Lotlot de Leon and Ramon Christopher Gutierrez. This makes him the grandson of national artist Nora Aunor and screen veteran Christopher de Leon on his mother’s side, and Asia’s Queen of Songs Pilita Corales and Eddie Gutierrez on his father’s side, thereby making him related to beauty queen actress Ruffa Gutierrez, and twin uncles Richard and Raymond Gutierrez.

On top of that, he counts award-winning actress Janine Gutierrez as his sister. Despite that, he said he is firm about establishing himself as an artist and in making his family proud. Still, the pressure is mounting to live up to the family name.

“Coming from a [showbiz family], I think my family has proven a lot in this industry na parang lahat sila, magagaling sa ginagawa nila. The biggest challenge for me is to do my best and make a name also in music and showbiz in general,” he said during his launch as a Star Magic artist recently.

“Instead of pressure ang nafe-feel ko, mas nafe-feel ko ang motivation to make my family proud. I want to be great in my own name,” he continued.

(Coming from a showbiz family, I think my family has proven a lot in the industry. All of them are great at what they do. The biggest challenge for me is to do my best and make a name for myself in music and showbiz. Instead of feeling the pressure, I feel more motivated to make my family proud. I want to be great in my own name.)

Despite being part of already-stacked clans, Gutierrez said he sees his relatives’ respective successes as “motivation to do well.”

It seems that the rising singer’s career is moving on a good note as he bagged the Best New Male Recording Artist plum at the Awit Awards in 2024. He also shared that he hopes to collaborate with James Reid, Arthur Nery, and Adie, noting his affinity for the pop and R&B genres.

“I really didn’t expect to win any award at this point in my career. It was really memorable to find out that I won an award. Mas nakaka-inspire to make more music and galingan ko pa. I’ll never forget that moment,” he said of his recognition.

Aside from music, Gutierrez added that he is open to exploring acting.

“I want to explore that side. Nakapag-acting na rin ako a few times before (I already acted a few times before). I want to continue that with Star Magic [so] hopefully,” he said.

Also part of Gutierrez’s contract signing were fellow rising singer-songwriters Esang de Torres, James Philippe de Torres, and Jarlo Base.