'Mestiza hinahanap namin': Nadine Lustre previously took glutathione due to discrimination during auditions

Nadine Lustre has recounted instances when she was discriminated against for her skin color during auditions, prompting her to take glutathione early in her career.

"Ang daming beses, actually. Super daming beses, mainly because of my skin color. Sasabihin sa'kin, 'Ah mestiza (fair-skinned) hinahanap namin,'" the Never Not Love You star said during the April 15 episode of Bea Alonzo's #ByBea Lie Detector vlog.

This was in response to a question by Bea if there was an instance when she felt discriminated against when she was doing go-sees or auditions.

"Isa (ito) sa mga naging insecurities ko back then, because hindi lang siya once nangyari sa'kin," Nadine shared.

The actress-singer recalled times during VTR (video tape recording) auditions when showbiz hopefuls would line up for extended periods only to be told to go home if they were deemed unlikely to get accepted.

"Tapos mapapauwi ako kasi sasabihin, 'Mestiza po hinahanap namin,'" Nadine recalled.

Bea pointed out the irony, "Bakit mo siya pinapila?" to which Nadine replied, "'Yun na nga!"

The host also asked her guest if she took glutathione before because she wanted to become a mestiza, which the latter confirmed.

Bea then complimented Nadine's skin color and proceeded to ask if Nadine now celebrates her skin color.

"Of course. T'saka hindi na 'ko gano'n katakot na umitim. Morena naman talaga ako. Pero 'yung pag na sa Siargao ako, hindi na ko 'yung nagko-cover, nagpapayong, gano'n," the actress said.

Nadine achieved mainstream recognition after playing the lead role in the 2014 film Diary ng Panget. She has since won accolades including FAMAS Awards, Nickelodeon Kids Choice Award, and Gawad Urian for Best Actress, among others.