Most know Nadine Lustre as an actress. But the multi-hyphenate star also has a successful career as a musician. In fact, she got her start in the industry as a member of the P-pop girl group Pop Girls in 2009. Her songs from the mid-2010s, such as Paligoy-Ligoy, Para-Paraan, and No Erase, are considered modern P-pop classics, loved by fans to this day, with Paligoy-Ligoy even finding new life on TikTok over the past few years. In 2020, Lustre dropped her well-received Wildest Dreams visual album under Careless Music that was accompanied by its own film. Her last foray into music came in 2023 with the release of the single Overgrown.
Since then, it’s been relatively dormant for Lustre as she’s focused more of her time on acting in movies and shows as well as her business ventures. But 2026 might be the year we get musician Nadine back now that she’s finally returned to making music and entering a new era of her artistry.
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Nadine Lustre Doesn’t Take It Personal in Her New Single
After three years and in the middle of her acting projects, Lustre returned to music with the release of her comeback single Personal on July 31. She co-wrote the track with OPM R&B hitmaker Jason Dhakal and Ivo Impreso while Daniel Davidsen and Peter Wallevik, who have worked with artists such as Kylie Minogue, Little Mix, and Selena Gomez, produced the single. Sonically, Personal radiates a catchy 2000s pop vibe popularized by pop girls of the time such as Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, and Hilary Duff. It’s mostly a pop track but surprises with a guitar solo by its final chorus, making for a memorable finale.
Lyrically, the track finds a confident and unapologetic Lustre choosing to live her best life even as people talk about her. In the face of the opinions and criticism, Lustre knows who she is and won’t let the outside noise affect her. As she says in the chorus, she won’t take it personally.
Notably, the single wasn’t released under a major label but instead via Cool Girl Records, signaling how this new music era is one driven by her own creative passion and pursuits. As such, Lustre also took the lead as the creative director of Personal’s visuals inspired by pre-colonial Philippine imagery and identity. Styled by Lyn Alumno, Lustre wears all Filipino designers on the track’s cover, from a custom Charina Fronteras corset, Himaya asymmetric pants, and jewelry and accessories by Nuno sa Tanso and AMAMI.
2026 has been the year of the comeback for Nadine Lustre in many ways. First, she returned to the rom-com genre in the series Love, Siargao. Now, she’s back to making music with Personal, and as Lustre has been teasing on her social media, there might be more on the way. Whether that means more songs, an EP, or even a new studio album, we’ll have to wait and see, but it’s exciting to anticipate what she has in store. The fact that Lustre was spotted lip-syncing to Paligoy-Ligoy in the big year of 2026 shows us that we might just be in a thrilling time for Lustre’s latest chapter in her career.
Featured Image and Photos: NADINE LUSTRE (via Instagram), Photographed by ALEXIS DAVE CO, Creative Direction by NADINE LUSTRE, Styled by LYN ALUMNO, Assisted by LYNUS SANTOS, Makeup by JELLY EUGENIO, Hair by PAUL NEBRES, Set by ROCKET SETS
Frequently Asked Questions
Nadine Lustre released her comeback single titled Personal on July 31, 2026. The track marks her first official solo music release following a three-year hiatus since her 2023 single Overgrown.
Personal was independently released via Cool Girl Records rather than a major label. This choice reflects Nadine Lustre taking full creative control as creative director for the single’s pre-colonial Philippine-inspired visuals and fashion direction.
Nadine Lustre co-wrote Personal alongside OPM R&B artist Jason Dhakal and Ivo Impreso. International producers Daniel Davidsen and Peter Wallevik—who have previously collaborated with artists like Selena Gomez and Little Mix—handled the track’s 2000s-pop production.
Personal radiates a catchy 2000s pop vibe featuring a surprise guitar solo before the final chorus. Lyrically, the track delivers a confident, unapologetic message about maintaining personal boundaries and ignoring public noise and external criticism.
Alongside her return to music, Nadine Lustre starred in the romantic drama streaming series Love, Siargao alongside Alden Richards. She has also focused heavily on various entrepreneurial ventures and acclaimed dramatic acting roles in Philippine cinema.
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