Nikki Valdez backs digital artist after ’90s OPM tribute draws criticism

Maine Glorioso said her album recreations were not impersonations.

Maine Glorioso, a digital artist known for her content inspired by ‘90s aesthetics and nostalgia, received a message of support from Nikki Valdez after her recreations of classic OPM album covers drew mixed reactions.

On July 11, Glorioso shared a photoshoot recreating the visuals of Regine Velasquez’s “Reason Enough,” Roselle Nava’s “Roselle,” Jolina Magdangal’s “A Wish Come True,” and Valdez’s self-titled album.

The posts were intended as tributes to the music and visuals of the era, but some X users criticized the recreations, describing them as “cringey,” “annoying,” and “papansin.”

Others defended Glorioso’s work as a harmless celebration of ‘90s pop culture. “Gets naman yung homage niya sa 90s pop culture. Paano siya naging papansin?” one user replied. Another said, “Napaka-harmless naman ng contents niya. Focus your energy on real problematic people.”

On July 13, Glorioso addressed the reactions and clarified her creative intent, saying her posts were not meant to make her look “exactly like these artists.”

“I never intended to,” she said. “Choosing not to wear a wig was a creative decision because I wanted these to be recreations in my own style, not impersonations.”