Entertainment
Kathryn Bernardo and Nadine Lustre Have Always Been Their Own Queens
No competition, no comparisons—just two women thriving in their own right.
Created with Cream Silk
There’s something undeniably empowering about watching a queen rise to her throne. But watching two queens reign side by side? Now that’s a whole different level of power.
For years, Kathryn Bernardo and Nadine Lustre have been celebrated as two of the brightest stars of their generation. Rising to fame in their teenage years, they each carved out remarkable careers through their respective love teams, capturing the hearts of many. And while comparisons and imagined rivalries often followed them, Kathryn and Nadine have always made one thing clear: they were never in competition. Now, in a groundbreaking collaboration, these two queens are joining forces for Cream Silk to show the importance of women uplifting and empowering each other.
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Nadine Lustre and Kathryn Bernardo for Cosmopolitan Philippines | Photographed by Cenon at Mav.
In a world that tries to pit women against each other, Kathryn and Nadine have shown what true power looks like—embracing their individuality and owning their journeys to be the queens of their own right.
Even their hair tells a story: Bold, radiant, and a reflection of who they are, much like the confidence that comes from using a product like Cream Silk—a household name in hair care for generations. For years, Cream Silk has been a trusted source of confidence for women and a strong advocate for empowerment. This year, it amplifies its commitment even further by highlighting the power of women uplifting and supporting one another.
And it was with this same self-assuredness that both women began their journeys to becoming the queens we know today, captivating fans and casual viewers from the moment they first appeared on screen.
The Rise of Two Queens
Starting out as young television royalty, Kathryn and Nadine quickly became household names in Philippine entertainment. With their era-defining presence and undeniable chemistry as halves of their respective love teams, they dominated both primetime and the big screen alike, capturing the hearts of millions and growing alongside them.
While being in the spotlight may seem glamorous, growing up in the public eye can be tricky, as Kathryn recently explained in an exclusive interview with Cosmopolitan Philippines.
“It’s like living or growing in an aquarium, where people can see everything about you…every part of you, even the things you wish could stay private," Kathryn tells us.
“It’s like living or growing in an aquarium, where people can see everything about you…every part of you, even the things you wish could stay private," Kathryn tells us.
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Photographed by Cenon at Mav.
Nadine echoed this sentiment, reflecting on her early years: "The early years taught me resilience, straight up. I had to navigate so many things—expectations, criticism, burnout—all while figuring out who I was. It was overwhelming, but it made me tough."
As their careers blossomed, the inevitable comparisons followed. Fans would debate who was “better” or “more successful.” But instead of getting caught up in the noise, Kath and Nadine kept their focus on what mattered: staying true to themselves and their unique journeys. Their individual successes proved that there was room for both to thrive—no need for competition when there’s more than one crown.
Their Evolution and Empowerment
Over the years, Kathryn and Nadine have redefined what it means to be powerful women in the spotlight. They've grown, not just as actresses but as multi-dimensional creators who refuse to be boxed in.
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Photographed by Cenon at Mav.
For Kathryn, her evolution has been nothing short of inspiring. From the “Teen Queen” to a fierce woman in control of her own narrative, Kathryn has embraced challenging roles and ventured into new territory—becoming a box-office powerhouse, exploring business opportunities, and continuing her personal growth.
Kathryn expounds: “I’m so proud of it because I know I’ve worked hard for it [and I’m still] allowing myself to grow and be vulnerable.”
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Photographed by Cenon at Mav.
Meanwhile, Nadine has forged her own path. Always the creative soul, she continuously breaks boundaries and challenges conventions whether it's music, film, or artistic reinvention. Nadine is all about doing things on her own terms.
Despite the challenges of starting her career, Nadine learned valuable lessons that helped her become resilient and independent. “That’s when my independence really began—when I realized no one else could define who I was but me.”
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Photographed by Cenon at Mav.
More than the characters they portrayed or the comparisons made between them, Kath and Nadine’s true power lies in their individuality, never defined by what the other has accomplished. Both are empowered women who lift each other up, fixing each other’s crowns.
Like true queens, Kathryn and Nadine draw inspiration from each other’s growth and take pride in one another’s successes.
“I think there’s something powerful about a woman when she’s unapologetically being herself and I think [Nadine is] very authentic,” Kath mentions.
On the other hand, Nadine says she admires how Kath has stepped into her own power. “She’s always been graceful and grounded, but there’s this quiet strength she carries now—like she’s fully owning her space. She adds: “Watching her evolve with so much authenticity and still staying true to herself is something I respect deeply. She’s inspiring a lot of women to do the same.”
Queens in Their Own Right
If there’s one thing Kathryn and Nadine’s journeys make clear, it’s this: there was never a rivalry. From the start, they were both destined to shine—not because they were “better” than anyone else, but because they’ve always remained true to themselves.
Kathryn downplayed the significance of the comparisons, saying: "To be honest, yung mga tao lang gumagawa ng issue from it." For Kathryn, her priority was crystal clear: "I was just focused on myself, yung trabaho ko everyday."
Kathryn downplayed the significance of the comparisons, saying: "To be honest, yung mga tao lang gumagawa ng issue from it." For Kathryn, her priority was crystal clear: "I was just focused on myself, yung trabaho ko everyday."
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Photographed by Cenon at Mav.
She explains that as long as she felt good about what she was doing and wasn't hurting anyone else in the process, then that's what truly mattered. And, as Kathryn succinctly put it, "For sure ganun din si Nadine."
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Photographed by Cenon at Mav.
For these women, it’s never been about outshining one another. It’s about embracing the power within themselves—to grow as individuals, as artists, and as women who thrive without competition.
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Photographed by Cenon at Mav.
“It starts from within. For a long time, I thought power came from being strong all the time, but I’ve learned that vulnerability is a form of power too,” Nadine shares. “Knowing your worth, setting boundaries, choosing peace—even when it’s hard—that’s real strength." She adds:
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Photographed by Cenon at Mav.
Much like Kathryn and Nadine, every Filipina has the power to embrace her individuality and shine on her own terms. This inner radiance is often reflected externally, perhaps with the help of trusted beauty staples like Cream Silk, allowing their natural beauty to shine through. Cream Silk celebrates that spirit of strength and beauty, supporting women who aren’t afraid to step into their light and redefine success.
Whether it’s pushing boundaries, reinventing their careers, or supporting other women, Filipinas today—just like Kathryn and Nadine—are unstoppable when they embrace their power.
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Photographed by Cenon at Mav.
These queens remind us that greatness doesn’t have a set mold. Every woman’s journey is unique—and there’s more than enough crown to go around.
They remind us that true power lies in lifting each other up, embracing individuality, and owning our space with strength, confidence, and beauty that’s uniquely our own. Even their hair tells a story—bold, radiant, and a reflection of who they are, with Cream Silk empowering them to embrace their full potential and the unbreakable bonds that come with supporting each other.
In a world that thrives on rivalry, Kathryn Bernardo and Nadine Lustre are rewriting the story—showing us that women don’t have to compete to succeed.
PRODUCED BY SUMMIT X
Photographer: Cenon at Mav (@cenonatmav)
Art Director: Bea Malonzo
Cosmo.ph Art Director: Ica Del Mundo (@icadelmundoodle)
Summit X Creative Director: Katrin Cruz (@kjscrz)
Content Strategist: Celine Briones (@celinebriones)
Summit X Editor-in-Chief: Jamie Sanchez (@jamiexs)
Story: Nicole Gueco (@nicolegueco)
Social Media: Celine Briones
Cosmo.ph Social Media: Aina Lizarondo (@ainalizarondo)
Production Manager: Mary Joyce Lapasaran (@_joycelapasaran), Annycrist Marino (@annycrist) and Mary Paul Therese Agpalo (@agpalotherese)
Video Director: Jino Del Mundo
Videographers: Teddy Garcia, Greeko Junio
Video Producer: Ariza Adoptante
Video Production Manager: Chachi
Video Editor: Jaymar Talabon
Accounts: CJ Arceta (@cjarceta) and Dianne Suegay Dizon (@diannecdotes)
Implementor: Reggie Contreras
Studio: GAMA Studio
Set Styling: Adset (@adsetprod)
Hair: Benito Tadlip (@hair_by_vava) for Kathryn Bernardo, Paul Nebres (@paulnebres) for Nadine Lustre
Makeup: Owen Sarmiento (@owensarmiento) for Kathryn Bernardo, Jelly Eugenio (@jellyeugenio) for Nadine Lustre
Wardrobe: Kimi Yap-Sy (@kimiyap), Boop Yap-Tañedo (@boopyap), Lulu Solis (@meetlulu) for Kathryn Bernardo; Qurator Studio (@qurator_studio), Steven Coralde (@stevencoralde), Leanne Ledesma (@leanneledesma), Shark Tanael (@sharkktanael) for Nadine Lustre.
On Nadine: RSVP by @vestido.manila top and Martin Bautista skirt @martinmbautista, vintage @whisenhuntdesign jewels
This article was created by Summit X in partnership with Cream Silk.