With Apl.de.Ap lending his global star power, Lustre takes audiences into a richly imagined world of Filipino tradition and contemporary visual edge
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Nadine Lustre steps into a new era of fearless self-expression with the release of the official music video for “DONUTS,” featuring global hip-hop titan Apl.de.Ap of the Black Eyed Peas.
Drawing inspiration from Filipino history, spirituality, and fashion, the music video presents the multi-hyphenate star as a warrior princess who seizes control of her power and freedom in a lawless, oppressive world.
“The video connects to a bigger body of work, which explores transformation, stepping into your power, and becoming more comfortable with who you are,” Nadine Lustre explains. “I wanted that world to feel rooted in being Filipino, with influences subtly woven in setting, style, and imagery.”
With Nadine Lustre at the helm of creative direction, the visuals reflect her newfound pride in embracing one’s identity and roots. Set against open fields and grasslands in a fictional countryside, the “DONUTS” MV reimagines pre-colonial motifs with a modern, dystopian edge.
For the award-winning actress-singer, however, creative ownership doesn’t necessarily mean working alone. She opened up about assembling a production team that helped translate her ideas into a fully realized visual spectacle.
“Everyone brought their own perspective, from the styling and production design to the movement and how everything would look on camera,” Lustre reveals. “I enjoy being hands-on, but I also love seeing people take an idea and add something I wouldn’t have thought of. So much of what makes the video special came from that exchange. It really was a collective effort.”
Despite their different backgrounds, Apl.de.Ap admires Lustre and her team’s commitment to experimentation and collaboration. He specifically praised the cinematic world of “DONUTS,” noting how its visual language complements the song’s larger-than-life energy.
“I love the video,” Apl.de.Ap shares. “It’s so mythical. Nadine and the team have such a unique lens.”
The “DONUTS” music video serves as an extension of Lustre’s continued growth as an artist, putting self-expression, identity, and creative freedom at the center of her work. Building on Filipino-inspired imagery and an envelope-pushing visual aesthetic, the MV sets up a bolder, more risk-taking direction for what comes next.
Nadine Lustre’s “DONUTS” is now available on all digital music platforms worldwide via Cool Girl Records. Watch the music video here.
Source: Nyou