Nic Chien Opens Up About Coming Out as Transgender to Theater Icon Mother Lea Salonga

In a heartfelt television appearance, Nic Chien shared the deeply personal story of coming out as transgender to his mother, Broadway legend Lea Salonga, revealing a journey marked by love, understanding, and unwavering family support.

During his guest appearance on "Fast Talk With Boy Abunda" last Friday, the young theater actor recounted the morning he approached his mother with life-changing news.

"The night before, I had realized that I was trans. I went up to her in the morning and said, 'Mama, I think I'm transgender. I'm a trans...' And then she was like, 'Okay. Let's take a step back. You're very young. Let's not put any immediate labels right now. Because you never know, right? You could be non-binary. You could be whatever,'" Nic shared.

A Mother's Careful Guidance

Salonga's measured response reflected the wisdom of a parent navigating uncharted territory. Rather than rushing to conclusions, she encouraged her son to explore his identity at his own pace.

"And I ended up going on this journey from non-binary, gender fluid, so mag-sweep, you know. And then to gender fluid, pero prefer ko ang panglalake. To just panglalake. So it really, like, full circle talaga. I think no matter how much you try to deny who you are, you're gonna have to come back to it at some point," Nic explained, mixing English with Filipino expressions that reflect the linguistic diversity of Philippine families.

The journey wasn't without its challenges. Nic acknowledged his mother's initial concerns, understanding them as coming from a place of parental love and protection.

"But I remember, I think she was a little bit... Like, there was a little bit of a resistance, I think. Because syempre naman as a parent, you don't want your child to go through hardship, right? And I think she knew that if I went down this road, maraming talaga hardship," he admitted.

Medical Transition and Family Support

As their conversations deepened, mother and son began discussing medical transition options, including testosterone therapy. Their discussions were carefully timed around Nic's theatrical commitments.

"Pero there was a night when... And we were already discussing about taking testosterone, pero we agreed after 'Into The Woods' kasi she didn't want my voice to change too much when I was singing," Nic recalled, referencing their shared musical theater project.

The emotional weight of his journey eventually reached a breaking point, leading to what Nic described as a pivotal moment with his mother.

"And I had a breakdown. I'm trying to avoid saying this, na mag-ta-tantrum but no matter what I do, I won't be able to be seen for who I really am," he shared. "I won't be able to be with certain people because they won't be attracted to the outside when it's the inside is what matters."

In that vulnerable moment, Salonga's response demonstrated the depth of her love and acceptance.

"But I just remember, I was like, 'Mama, I can't do this anymore. I can't wait anymore.' She held me and she was like, 'Okay, then we'll do it, you know, when do you want to do it? We'll do it before 'Into The Woods,'" Nic recounted.

Community and Mentorship

Before beginning his medical transition, Nic sought guidance from other transgender men in the Filipino entertainment community, including Jake Zyrus.

"And I remember even like for a while before taking testosterone, I had talked to other trans guys. I talked to kuya Jake Zyrus. And I talked to him like, 'Hey, did you know right away?' And I forgot exactly what he said. But I remember that his advice were very sweet. He told me to take certain vitamins," Nic shared.

These conversations helped address his concerns about the permanence of his decisions, particularly given his young age.

"And I was like, how did you know? Talaga bang gusto mo ito? Like, did you ever change your mind? You know, because what if I change my mind? I'm like, what am I going to do? Pero I didn't. And neither did they. That's a concern because I'm young. My mind is still developing," he continued.

Medical Milestones

Nic underwent top surgery on September 2, 2025, and began testosterone therapy in January 2025. Throughout both processes, his parents remained supportive pillars.

"I'm so grateful that my mom is so supportive in letting me do it. And, you know, that she just, all she really wants is for me to be happy. And so does my dad," he reflected.

The young actor, who made his theater debut in 2017 and has since performed alongside his mother in "Into the Woods," describes his transition as "emotional" but also "the most ideal situation for me."

His story represents a growing visibility of transgender experiences in Philippine society, highlighting the importance of family acceptance and community support in the journey toward authentic self-expression.