Fierce and fearless: Nadine Lustre stands her ground

Amid criticism and controversy, actress Nadine Lustre remains steadfast in her beliefs — unbothered by negativity and fearless in using her platform for advocacy.

Whether standing her ground on political issues or championing a vegan lifestyle, Lustre embraces the backlash, knowing that fighting for what she believes in requires unwavering commitment.

Now, she takes an even bolder step with her latest campaign, proving once again that she isn’t afraid to speak up and stand out.

Lustre has recently faced backlash for her outspoken stance on political issues, particularly her reaction to the arrest of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte.

Despite the wave of criticism, she remains unfazed by negative comments on social media.

“Ako pa ba?” she said humorously to selected members of the press on Monday. “I think if we’re fighting for something, we have to fight all the way.”

Using her platform, the actress admitted she has grown accustomed to negativity and hate comments, especially when it comes to expressing her political views.

“We can’t really do a half-half. You can’t fight for something na parang halfway ka lang—you really have to give it your all, especially if it’s something you truly believe in. Ganun naman ako ever since, and I don’t think I get affected by anything. I’m so used to it. I guess, being in the industry for this long, I’ve gotten used to being criticized, to people throwing words at me that I don’t agree with,” she explained.

For Lustre, what matters most is the love and support of the people closest to her.

“And for me, as long as the important people around me know me, understand me, and love me, that’s the most important thing,” she added.

Apart from her political stance, the actress is also an active advocate for veganism. She has taken her advocacy to the next level with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), posing as Mother Earth in a bold campaign.

Much like her political beliefs, Lustre is fearless in championing her vegan lifestyle.

“If you look at PETA’s previous campaigns, they’re always palaban. It’s always like that—we have to take a stand, so we have to be fearless.”

“This particular campaign was suggested by the PETA team. They wanted to do body paint and create a message that is more general, especially for Go Vegan Pilipinas.”

For Lustre, who has been advocating for a vegan lifestyle since 2022, it is important that her personal values align with her work as an artist and influencer.

“I think it has to be that way. These are my values, and it’s hard to stray from them. Parang hindi ko rin talaga kaya kasi this is what I’m fighting for. When it comes to my businesses, parang it doesn’t match if I don’t stick to my principles. Even with my endorsements, I’ve transitioned to brands that are more vegan or plant-based. I’m happy because everyone is very welcoming and understanding of my values,” she explained.

As an artist and influencer, Lustre admitted that it took time for her friends to understand her transition to a healthier lifestyle.

“I’m very vocal about my advocacies. I post a lot about them, and eventually, people have accepted it. In the beginning, people would say, ‘Bakit? Why did she do that?’ But later on, they understood. It’s normal because the concept is new to some people. But now, I’d say that many people are more understanding, and a lot of them are even trying it out,” she shared.