Nadine Lustre has, albeit unintentionally, been drawing much attention to herself lately: first, for topping this year’s FHM’s 100 Sexiest poll and, second, for her strong response to a question in a recent television interview.

In the said interview, the 23-year-old actress was asked to address rumors that she and real-life boyfriend James Reid were already together. While Nadine neither confirmed nor denied the rumor, her reaction was a revelation of her views on living-in. “If that’s true, so what? ’Di ba, it’s not new anymore. Come on guys, it’s 2017.”

Nadine’s remark drew mixed reactions from netizens. Some criticized her for her views, while there were also others who came to her defense. Nadine, on the other hand, has been mum on the issue ever since footage of the said interview circulated.

However, controversy has not hindered her from fulfilling her work-related commitments. Nadine has recently renewed her contract as Sony Philippines’ brand ambassador for Personal Audio and Digital Imaging.

At a press conference held in Quezon City last week, Nadine claimed that she loves to take photos during her travels with friends, especially since she has the right equipment at her disposal.

Her Instagram is a testament to her love for scenery, a finely curated selection of striking images that she captures with her Sony camera. In an interview with InterAksyon, the actress did admit that she is selective of what she shares online.

“For me po kasi social media is a way for you to connect to all your supporters, to all your fans and to all the people abroad o sa mga hindi nakakakita sa ‘yo. Siyempre you don’t post everything on social media. It’s just that for me, yung mga social media accounts ko, it’s a way for me to connect, but you don’t have to post everything on social media.” Nadine said.

While she does feel the need to connect with followers, Nadine also said that it will never come to the point where bashers will influence her choices on how she lives her life.
Nadine Lustre with, from left, Sony Philippines senior director for brand and customer communication Alvin de Vera, managing director for Sony Philippines Nobuyoshi Otake, and Viva Artists Agency Incorporated president and COO Veronique R. Corpus. (Photo by Jill Tan Radovan, InterAksyon)
“You can’t please everyone. So why would I let this person affect me eh alam ko naman na hindi ko puwedeng i-please ang lahat ng tao? Meron at meron talagang magsasabi ng negative about you,” she explained.

She also expressed her views on provocative imagery, saying, “What is sexy for me if I see a photo is when you see a girl in a photo na happy siya. Kasi you can see it in the eyes, kahit photo lang yun. So if you see in the photo that a girl is happy and confident. I feel like sexy for me is confidence and being in touch with yourself talaga.”

She also said that she does feel sexy, but not because she topped the 100 Sexiest list. “I guess I feel sexy not because people think that I’m sexy. I feel sexy because I’m in touch with myself and I know my flaws and I accept them. I’m very confident — like I don’t let anything just pull me down.”

Nadine’s bikini photos on Instagram scream that she’s comfortable with her body and has no trouble flaunting it. This, along with her views on cohabitation, suggests that she isn’t too conservative—it is 2017 after all. But when asked whether she thinks she’s liberated, her response was vague and noncommittal.

“What is liberated, exactly? I guess, like, I don’t know. I don’t know, sorry. I can’t, basta,” she said.

Moving forward, Nadine will continue hosting duties on “It’s Showtime” and soon begin shooting for movie projects. She will also start recording for her upcoming album