MANILA, Philippines — Nic Chien, the son of international theater icon Lea Salonga, has shared a significant update on his personal journey, coming out as bisexual and reflecting on the challenges of his gender transition.
In a recent interview on the show Rated Korina, Chien opened up about his sexual orientation and his experiences with gender dysphoria, which he says contributed to his mental health struggles earlier in life.
Identifying as Bisexual Chien shared that he has known about his sexual orientation for many years. “I figured that I’m bisexual. I’m okay with saying that out loud. I figured that out in grade five. I’m attracted to my friends who are girls, but I’m also attracted to guys,” he admitted during the interview.
Struggle with Gender Dysphoria The young actor and artist also discussed the psychological distress he faced during his teenage years, particularly after being diagnosed with depression at age 14.
- The Weight of Perception: Chien recalled feeling insecure because people saw a girl when he wanted to be seen as a man. “I think that idea was so tragic in my mind,” he noted.
- Fluidity: Before fully understanding his identity as a trans man, he identified as gender fluid for a period.
Medical Transition and Family Support Nic’s journey toward affirming his gender identity has reached several milestones recently:
- Medical Procedures: In November 2025, Chien revealed that he had undergone top surgery and began testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) to align his physical characteristics with his gender identity.
- Parental Support: He credited both his mother, Lea Salonga, and his father, Robert Chien, for their unwavering support throughout his transition.
- Family Status: Despite the recent confirmation of his parents’ separation, Nic emphasized that they remain on good terms. He clarified that the split was not caused by infidelity on his father’s part.
Nic Chien’s openness about his identity as a trans and bisexual man has been met with significant support from the theater and LGBTQ+ communities. His story serves as a prominent example of a high-profile Filipino family navigating and embracing a journey of gender identity and transition with transparency and compassion.