Perfume entrepreneur Joel Cruz beat contenders Jomari Yllana and Akihiro Sato in the final showdown of “Celebrity Duets” last Nov. 14.

However, a report has it that only co-“Duets” contestant Mikaela Bilbao congratulated Joel.

The businessman parried the intrigue.

“After winning, I was really so thrilled and happy, so medyo may konting black out. I think meron din namang ibang contenders na lumapit sa’kin to congratulate.

“Maybe because marami ring mga fans na naglapitan kaya baka nahirapan silang lumapit,” Joel said on “Showbiz Central.”

Joel felt “left behind” during the latter part of the competition.

“When we were starting, ang sarap ng feeling sa relationship ng bawat isa. Pero later on it [became] a competiton [in that] lahat gustong manalo.

“Minsan mararamdaman mo, nag-gu-grupo na sila…nagpupustahan sila [pero] hindi ako kasali [kaya] ko naramdaman na na left out ako,” said he.

Joel addressed his detractors.

“I’m not a singer. Never in my life [na] kumanta ako sa public. Kung di kayo naniniwala sa boses ko, naiintindihan ko naman po ‘yun. Pero ginawa ko [rin] naman po ang lahat.”

Jean Garcia wards off young admirers

Although actress Jean Garcia feels flattered that young actors Wendell Ramos and Paolo Avelino have a crush on her, she said “hanggang dun na lang ‘yun.”

Jean would rather focus on giving her all-out support to Eula Valdes, who recently separated from her husband.

“Suporta ako kung saan siya maligaya,” quipped Jean.

Handler comments on Joanne-Joey issue

Joanne Quintas’ handler has sent a text message to “The Buzz” concerning rumors that link Joanne to Joey Marquez.

 The message read: “It’s all about business. There is nothing between them. Joanne is very much married and Joey is in a relationship with a non-showbiz girl right now. Please stop the issue.”