Joey de Leon criticized Atasha Mulach – Will she return to Bulaga?

A new controversy has exploded on social media involving one of the newest faces of EAT Bulaga, Atasha Mulach, daughter of well-known showbiz couple Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzalez. The issue began when fans of the long-running noontime show noticed Atasha’s sudden disappearance. For several weeks, she was no longer seen on Eat Bulaga, and new co-hosts Julia Barretto and Ronnie Alonte took her place.

This quickly triggered various reactions from the public, especially from longtime viewers who questioned whether her absence was temporary or if she had completely left her hosting career. Many netizens expressed disappointment with the new hosts, saying that Julia and Ronnie’s style didn’t match the mass appeal and charm that Eat Bulaga is known for.

Some viewers commented that the new hosts seemed too formal and lacked the natural, relatable “barkada” (peer group) vibe that they felt with Atasha. According to them, even though Atasha was a newcomer, she showed great potential as a disciplined, graceful, and respectful host, especially toward senior “barkadas” like Joey de Leon, Allan K, and Paolo Ballesteros.

However, despite public support, rumors also began to spread that Atasha wasn’t taking hosting seriously and was allegedly using Eat Bulaga as a stepping stone to bigger opportunities under Viva Artists Agency, which now manages her career.

Currently, Atasha is busy with her first major acting project, a film titled The Virus, considered a major blockbuster and one of Viva’s top priorities this year. She plays a lead role alongside rising stars Jerome Ponce, Gab Lagman, and Heaven Peralejo. Directed by Derick Cabrido, the film has a complex and heavy theme, requiring the full focus and commitment of its cast.

According to sources close to Atasha, she had to temporarily leave her hosting duties due to scheduling conflicts. She couldn’t manage both the regular tapings of Eat Bulaga and the location shoots for her film.

Meanwhile, in an episode of Showbiz Now Na! hosted by Cristy Fermin with Romel Chika and Wendell Alvarez, the topic of an alleged rift between Atasha and veteran host Joey de Leon was discussed. There are rumors that Joey was not in favor of Atasha from the beginning, and their friendly interactions on-camera were just for show.

Speculations also suggest that this might be the reason her contract, which expired on March 13, was not renewed. However, Eat Bulaga insiders denied these claims, saying that Atasha and Joey had a good working relationship and that Joey even admired Atasha’s professionalism.

They also emphasized that Joey never criticized Atasha and supported her decision to take a break and focus on acting. Despite this, the management of Eat Bulaga remains silent on Atasha’s current status, and there has been no official statement on whether she will return or has officially left the show.

This silence has left many fans waiting eagerly for news. Some are hoping she will come back after her film project, believing in her natural talent and charisma as a host. Others are appealing to the management not to discard Atasha’s potential, as she brought a fresh image and authenticity to the show.

Atasha, during her time on the program, symbolized freshness, grace, and humility—qualities rarely seen in showbiz today where noise often outweighs substance. Even though she comes from a prominent showbiz family, she remained grounded and genuinely connected with viewers.

But if she doesn’t return, the big question now is: who can truly replace her? Who has the same charm, talent, and personality to fill the void she left? There are rumors that the show is already testing new hosts, but nothing is confirmed.

If she does return, would she still be welcomed as warmly by the Eat Bulaga family? Or has backstage tension already changed the dynamics? These are unanswered questions that fans can only observe through the hosts’ interactions in future episodes.

Netizens also debate whether Atasha should focus fully on her acting career. She is, after all, a promising actress. Through her projects with Viva Films, many believe she has a bright future not just in hosting but in acting as well.

For now, only time will tell. As long as there is no official word from Atasha or Eat Bulaga, tension and excitement will continue to grow. Many still hope that she returns to bring joy back to Filipino noontime television.

So stay tuned for the next chapter in this unfolding issue. Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, like this video, and hit the notification bell so you don’t miss our next updates on the hottest showbiz news.

And to all our The Barcads watching right now, what do you think? Should Atasha return to Eat Bulaga or should she focus on her film career? Comment below and join the lively discussion.