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MANILA (UPDATED) – The Viva Artists Agency (VAA) filed a lawsuit on Friday against actress Nadine Luster, who said she remained its exclusive artist until 2029, for her alleged “continuing violation” of her contract.
The largest group’s talent management firm Viva Entertainment filed the complaint with the Quezon City Regional Court of First Instance.
VAA alleged that Luster violated its “valid and existing management and agency contract … by independently hiring advertisers, promoters and other third parties, without regard to the exclusivity of its contract.”
The case, according to VAA, seeks to prevent Luster from “continually violating” their agreement and the actress from “fulfilling” her contract with them.
Luster signed an exclusive 5-year contract with VAA in 2009, the group said. That contract was renewed in 2014 for another 10 years, or until June 30, 2024. The same contract was then renewed for another 5 years in 2015, moving its termination date to June 29, 2029, according to VAA.
“During this period, VAA developed, built and nurtured Nadine’s career to make her one of the most sought-after artists in the entertainment industry,” the agency said.
‘MULTIMEDIA PRINCESS’
VAA noted that Luster’s “career took off” when he cast her for the 2014 blockbuster “Diary ng Panget” alongside James Reid, launching the popular tandem “JaDine.” The reel and the royal partnership went on to star in the hit ABS-CBN drama “On the Wings of Love,” among other successful projects, VAA recalled.
Under the Viva record label, Luster also released a number of solo singles, in addition to her stint as a member of Pop Girls since 2009.
Luster’s successful foray into acting and music earned her the title “Multimedia Princess,” as she dubbed Viva. As recently as 2019, her big screen projects with Viva earned her successive best actress victories, cementing her status as an acclaimed actress.
“Despite her continued success as a VAA exclusive artist for nearly a decade, Nadine still chose to violate and ignore her contract with VAA,” the group said.
VAA legal counsel, Atty. Chino Roxas, asked Luster to “honor and respect the sanctity of contracts.”
It added: “Third parties are notified that any direct dealings with Ms. Luster for her services as a performing artist or sponsor will be a violation of Ms. Luster’s contract with VAA.”
LUSTER CAMP: ‘OPPRESSIVE’ LIVING CONTRACT
VAA’s filing of its lawsuit against Luster came nearly a year after it first warned of legal action against the actress in January, when it announced that it had “terminated” its contract with the agency and was now “self-managed.”
At the time, Luster’s group said it appreciated “any legal action by Viva so that his irresponsible, oppressive and illegal contract with Nadine (and his other artists) can be litigated in the proper forum.”
“It’s about time a David hits a Goliath who has preyed on young artists in the industry for the longest time,” said Luster’s legal counsel Atty. Lorna Kapunan said in January.
Viva Entertainment, of which VAA is a part, is a pillar of the industry that for decades has produced films (Viva Films) and concerts (Viva Live), among other endeavors in the entertainment world.
His current famous contract discoveries or talents include the likes of Sarah Geronimo, Anne Curtis, Bela Padilla, Cristine Reyes, Yam Concepcion, Xian Lim, and Matteo Guidicelli.
VAA was also the home of actor Reid, Luster’s ex-boyfriend who left the agency in late 2019.
Since his proclaimed departure from VAA in January, Luster has released a full album under Reid’s record label and has landed numerous endorsement deals with advertisements on social media and television. – with a report from MJ Felipe, ABS-CBN News
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