Nadine Lustre says the job is ‘five times harder’ after leaving Viva—but ‘it is worth it’
Nadine Lustre admits that her life as an artist has not been easy after leaving Viva Artists Agency (VAA) last year. However, the actress-singer said the freedom she has attained to do and say what she wants “without anyone really stopping you” is worth it.
In an interview with Nylon Manila, Nadine talks about her since becoming a self-managed artist. It can be remembered that Nadine announced her decision to terminate her contract with VAA in January 2020.
Nadine’s camp described the artist’s contract as “oppressive” and “illegal.”
In response, VAA filed a lawsuit against Nadine late last year, saying, as per their contract, the actress-singer is their talent until June 2029.
Without an agency handling her career, Nadine said life as an artist is “definitely harder.”
“The job is five times harder than before because you don’t have an agency to back you up. Now, it’s like, you want 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,” she added.
But Nadine added, “But it is worth it.”
What the Ulan star has gotten from leaving Viva is “freedom.” “Freedom to do what you, say what you want without anyone really stopping you,” she said.
Nadine revealed that there were “many things” she couldn’t do before. “I was branded differently, you know, the usual artista where everyone has to look up to you like you’re a saint, which I’m not,” she said.
She further explained, “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.”
Nadine started out in showbiz as a VAA talent, first as a member of the music group Pop Girls. She found success as an actress after starring in the romantic comedy Ang Diary ng Pangit opposite James Reid.
Since leaving VAA, Nadine has released a full-length album titled “Wildest Dreams” under Careless Music.
