Barbie Imperial denies involvement in Richard Gutierrez-Sarah Lahbati breakup

Barbie Imperial insisted that she was not involved in the breakup of married couple Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati. 

In an interview with talent manager Ogie Diaz, the actress was asked how he got into a relationship with Gutierrez.

"Kung ano man po 'yung naging rason ng hiwalayan nilang dalawa, masasabi ko po at alam ng Diyos po na hindi po ako 'yun, tito. Alam po ng buong showbiz 'yan, ng mga nakakakilala kay Richard, kay Sarah, and sa akin," she said. 

"And si Sarah and Richard, alam po nilang pareho kung ano talaga ang reason po ng hiwalayan nila. Alam rin po nila pareho na hindi po ako 'yon. At kung anuman po 'yun, siyempre hindi ko na po istorya 'yun," she added, noting that she respects the couple's privacy, including their children. 

Imperial stressed that the two were already separated when she came into the picture.

"Ang alam ko po noon ay separate house na sila. Separate na talaga lahat. At feeling ko naman, tito, kung inagaw ko si Richard kay Sarah, magagalit talaga siya sa akin," she said. "Or alam mo 'yon? May sasabihin siya about me, babae siya, 'di ba? At saka feeling ko kung ako rin inagawan, ipo-post ko talaga."

Gutierrez and Lahbati got married in 2020 after dating for eight years. In 2024, the latter confirmed their breakup and said she was single. They have since been co-parenting their children Kai and Zion.

Imperial narrated that she met Gutierrez during the launch of their common friend's gastropub business. 

Gutierrez confirmed that they are dating just in January. They have been hounded with romance rumors since 2024, when they were spotted in South Korea. The actors will star in an upcoming series together titled Blood vs Duty.