Lea Salonga – Asian Journal file photo by Andy M. Tecson
Broadway icon Lea Salonga opens up about her son Nic Chien’s transgender journey and their shared path of love, affirmation, and visibility—reshaping conversations on parenting and LGBTQ+ acceptance
For over four decades, Lea Salonga has occupied a singular space in global entertainment—revered for her crystal-clear voice, commanding presence, and her trailblazing ascent as one of the first Asian performers to achieve international acclaim.
Yet today, Salonga’s most powerful performance may not be on stage, but within the quiet courage of a family navigating truth, identity, and love.
Recently, Salonga shared that her son, Nic Chien, came out as transmasculine and began hormone therapy at 14. Now 18, Nic lives openly—and on his own terms—as he steps into both his identity and his emerging artistry.
Their story, marked by love, transition, and mutual respect, resonates profoundly in today’s cultural climate, especially within the global Filipino community.
Raising the Child You Have
In an interview with People magazine, Salonga reflected on the evolution of her parenting journey:
“But the one thing I’ve learned is that you have to raise your child the way your child needs to be raised.”
That truth carries particular weight in Filipino households, where tradition often informs expectations, and where topics such as gender identity and LGBTQ+ inclusion remain unfamiliar territory for many.
Salonga and her husband, Robert Chien, chose to walk a different path—one rooted in unconditional love, open dialogue, and deep listening.
Rather than resist their son’s truth, they embraced it. First in private, then publicly, as Nic chose to share his journey with the world.
Salonga has since used her platform to affirm her son’s identity and to advocate for visibility and inclusion—an especially meaningful stance in a region where transgender individuals often face stigma and systemic inequality.
A Shared Stage
In a poetic full-circle moment, mother and son are now set to share the stage.
Nic has been cast as Jack in the upcoming Philippine production of Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods, opening this August. Salonga will play The Witch, a role as nuanced as it is iconic.
Their joint appearance transcends performance—offering a powerful symbol of affirmation, artistry, and generational connection. A mother and son, both performers, standing side by side in a space where identity is not only acknowledged but celebrated.
Salonga has spoken with pride about Nic’s journey, calling it “brave” and “important,” while preserving the privacy of their family’s deeper experiences.
Redefining the Filipino Family Portrait
The Salonga-Chien family offers a new vision of what a Filipino family can be—one defined not by rigid expectations, but by acceptance and growth.
Across the diaspora, many second-generation Filipino families continue to navigate the tension between cultural tradition and modern identity. For young people coming out, and for parents learning to support them, the path is often steeped in silence.
By using her voice to champion her son’s truth, Salonga invites others to consider a more compassionate path forward. Her message is simple yet profound: affirmation is not merely tolerance—it is empowerment.
From Broadway to Parenthood: Lea’s Evolving Legacy
Though Lea Salonga will always be celebrated as a Broadway icon, Disney princess, and global trailblazer, her influence now extends beyond the spotlight.She is modeling what it means to parent with intention and grace—not just showing up but standing up.
In doing so, she and Nic are helping to rewrite the cultural script for a new generation of Filipino families—where being true to oneself isn’t just accepted but embraced and celebrated.
Asian Journal remains committed to elevating stories of courage, culture, and community across the Filipino diaspora. For more features like this, visit www.asianjournal.com.
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