MANILA, Philippines — International theater icon Lea Salonga has officially confirmed that she and her husband, Robert Chien, have been separated “for a while.”
The Broadway legend made the candid revelation during an interview with entertainment journalist MJ Marfori on Wednesday, January 21. While discussing the dynamics of their family life, Salonga noted that the separation is no longer a secret and that both parties have moved on positively.
“It’s not a secret that we’ve been separated for a while. And now he’s happy and I’m happy that he’s happy,” Salonga said. She further revealed that Chien is currently in a relationship with someone new, but she chose not to disclose specific details regarding the timeline or cause of their split.
Co-Parenting and Support Despite the end of their marriage, Salonga emphasized that she and Chien remain dedicated to supporting their child, Nic Chien. She shared heart-warming examples of their continued cooperation, such as Chien and his new partner sending food and checking in whenever their child is feeling unwell.
“We’re both so busy but thankfully, the dad and dad’s partner are the ones [like] pag may sipon ka, I will send you food. I will make sure that you’re well,” she shared.
Advocating for Nic During the interview, Salonga also spoke passionately about her journey as a mother to Nic, who identifies as a trans man. She acknowledged that while some people may have negative opinions about her parenting decisions, her priority remains Nic’s health and well-being.
“Children are not customizable… My job as his mom was to try and figure out how to get things done,” she said. “The only thing I have to do is what I need to do to help my child.”
A Shared Love for Theater The mother and son continue to share a deep bond through their professional lives. Nic is currently making his own mark in the theater world, appearing in the Philippine staging of Spring Awakening as Moritz. The duo previously worked together in last year’s local production of Into the Woods.
Salonga and Chien tied the knot in a high-profile wedding in January 2004. As she continues her world tour with Les Misérables, Salonga’s latest revelation underscores her commitment to transparency and her focus on the happiness of her family in its new form.