In 1992, while shooting the movie Ako Ang Katarungan, Barretto was involved in a highly controversial relationship with married actor Bong Revilla whom she had an affair with for four months.
[8][9] Rocky Gutierrez was caught on camera slipping the envelope with the winner's name in his pocket while Babajee was heard uttering the words "Take it!
[11] Solis pleaded guilty to the offense of orchestrating the hoax, while siblings Ruffa and Rocky Gutierrez, Medved and Babajee were all charged with estafa.
She also went public in announcing her relationship with billionaire business tycoon Antonio "Tony" Cojuangco Jr., a man twenty years her senior.
In 2001, Barretto appeared with sisters Marjorie and Claudine in Private Conversations with Boy Abunda which became her first public interview together with her siblings.
Matakot Ka Sa Karma became Barretto's first film since 1995's Tirad Pass: The Last Stand of Gen. Gregorio del Pilar and she received huge buzz regarding her movie comeback.
[18] Barretto was a no-show in the Metro Manila Film Festival Awards Ceremony as well as in the Parade of Stars several days prior to the event.
[21][22] In 2007, a photo of Barretto kissing actor John Estrada circulated and went viral causing controversy in the showbiz industry.
In that same year, Barretto returned to acting through an episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya where she played a mistress of a politician, opposite Phillip Salvador and Tonton Gutierrez.
Barretto was once again involved in a controversial relationship with Rodolfo "Dody" Puno, the Executive Director of the Road Board of the Department of Public Works and Highways.
[25] Rumors broke out that both Barretto and singer Pops Fernandez were receiving commission from the funds of the Department of Public Works and Highways, as allotted by Puno himself.
Magkaribal starred Barretto alongside actress Bea Alonzo (who became Claudine's replacement), Angel Aquino and model-actor Derek Ramsay.
[29] It was because of the cancellation of Alta that she was offered the role of Ashi Behati in Princess and I in which she portrayed the main villain to the lead stars Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla.
[30] In 2013, Barretto joined the cast of Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala at the request of the show's lead actress, Judy Ann Santos.
Barretto has a daughter, Dominique with common-law partner and businessman Antonio "Tony Boy" Cojuangco Jr.[25] She graduated magna cum laude at Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and at Istituto Marangoni.