TV host-singer Nikki Gil admitted to Manila Bulletin Online that well meaning friends and family researched on singer Billy Crawford, her boyfriend, while he was courting her.

“I didn’t tell them to do it but they love me enough to ensure that I wouldn’t fall for the wrong guy,” she said in an exclusive interview at ABS-CBN.

Billy and Nikki met last year in “Pinoy Dream Academy.” They came out in the open about their romantic relationship a few weeks back.

Nikki said that instead of stumbling onto something negative about Billy, she saw some of Billy’s performances abroad on Youtube which impressed her all the more.

“Iba pala talaga yung caliber niya as a performer, pang-international. Prior kasi to that, I only knew Billy as the singer behind ‘Bright Lights,’ and as a member of this 80s teenage variety show na di ko din naman napanood,” the 21-year-old said. “Without being biased, I can say that only Billy can do what he does among his peers.”

Billy was a big recording artist in France a few years back. Many of his songs charted there, with the French press comparing him to American superstar Justin Timberlake at one point.

She also cited an instance when someone played a prank on Billy but he didn’t lose his cool. She said that because the prank was done with a hidden camera, it spoke well of Billy’s character.

Nikki said that Billy’s stature “scared” her at first.

“I was afraid that if ever I say ‘yes’ to him, his job might take him away from me – something, of course, I would never, ever get in the way of. If Billy has to choose between me and his career, I’d be the first to tell him to choose the second,” she said.

Nikki is willing to do so because she believes that what’s meant to be, will be.

“If God really wants us to be together then no distance can keep us apart. There may be times we won’t be able to see or be with each other, but in the end, all will turn out well. We just have to be strong and learn how to trust each other more,” she said.

The singer refuted rumors that Billy has a lovechild.

“We have talked about it and I know that he is single. He said so and I know so. At saka, malalaman mo naman sa kutob at sa balita. I believe that if that were true, God would have revealed it to me even without my lifting a finger,” she said.

“Alam kong sawa na siya, and that he has learned his lessons. He told me so himself that because of all his experiences, di niya papayagan to let go of a good thing once he finds it. And he said he has,” she said, smiling.

The two have talked about getting married “pero di pa seryoso.”

“Unang-una, we have work. I’m still a neophyte in the industry and he has his plans, too. But, yes, we have intentions of tying the knot later. Billy has already told my parents about this which, of course, made them happy. Alam nila that Billy is serious with our relationship,” she said.

Will she quit showbiz when they marry and if Billy asks her to do so?

“Honestly, I sometimes think about it. Especially when we are bombarded by not-too-positive press. But let me stress that I alone do so. Billy kasi was born into showbiz. He can’t imagine himself outside the industry. Kahit behind the scenes, basta part pa din ng industry ang gusto niya,” she said.

Only her second boyfriend, Nikki nonetheless sees Billy as “husband material.”

“Billy leads his life as the adult that he is. He’s not a teenager who relies on his parents for money. He lives by himself, takes care of his finances and manages his own affairs. I respect that. He is my best friend and he has taught me that in loving, you gladly look outside yourself to put your partner first,” she said.

Except with one thing. Nikki said that if Billy asks her to marry outside the country, she would say ‘no’ - and will have the final say on the matter, too!

“The only country I want to be married in is the Philippines. Kasi walang divorce!”

Nikki is currently working on her third album under PolyEast Records. Some of the tracks there will be written and produced by Billy. It will be released last quarter of 2009.

She is also a part of the upcoming movie “2999” under Unitel. She appears regularly on “ASAP” and is still a Myx VJ.