Whenever someone does something that makes others jealous there is always sour grapes. Some people have to knock others down to bring themselves up. I see this everyday.

I personally don't think JP was bothered by the rumours, he has better things to do with his time than deal with petty jealousy.

It's a matter of self confidence, those that knock other's accomplishments have no self confidence and those that have the accomplishments are self confident. Simple as that.