Filipina actresses

Nadine Lustre says leaving Viva ‘worth it’

Ysa Abad

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Nadine Lustre says leaving Viva ‘worth it’

Nadine Lustre says leaving Viva Artist Agency is worth it

File photo by Bob Reyes/Rappler

'There were so many limitations,' says the singer and actress of her time with the agency

More than a year after her controversial departure from Viva Artists Agency (VAA), Nadine Lustre opened up about finally gaining independence. 

The 27-year old actress, who started her career as an exclusive talent of VAA in 2009, recalled how she’s always been afraid of being true to herself.

Ever since nag-showbiz ako (Ever since I started in showbiz), it’s one thing that I’ve been so afraid of. In show business, people tend to tell you what is it that you should be doing, how you should look, what you should say, you know? Everything is given to you, and it’s kind of them molding you to become someone you’re not,” Nadine said in an interview with NYLON Manila.

Because of this, Nadine said she felt restricted. “There were so many things that I couldn’t do. I was branded differently, you know, the usual artista (celebrity) where everyone has to look up to you like you’re a saint, which I’m not,” she continued. 

Nadine admitted that work “is five times harder than before” but said it’s “worth it.”

“Now, it’s like, you want to do this? You have to do it by yourself. You have to fund it or find someone to partner with you… no one else is going to back you up financially this time. Mas mahirap siya (It’s so much harder),” she said 

The Wildest Dreams singer said leaving Viva meant finally being in control of her career.

“As soon as I left the agency, I was able to say no to things that I didn’t want to do. I was able to say yes to things that they probably wouldn’t [make] me do, but I really wanted to do. I was able to dress the way that I want, I was able to put out things that are up to the quality that I want. Before, there were so many limitations,” she said.

Nadine left VIVA in January 2020. In December 2020, VIVA filed a lawsuit against the actress for alleged contract violations, which Nadine is contesting. – Rappler.com

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