Nic Chien, the son of theater icon Lea Salonga, has publicly shared that he is bisexual, opening up about his gender identity and sexual orientation in a candid interview on ‘Rated Korina’ hosted by Korina Sanchez.
In the interview, Nic spoke about how he became aware of his attraction to both boys and girls at a young age, even before fully understanding his gender identity.
“I figured that out in Grade 5. I’m attracted to my friends who are girls, but I am also attracted to guys,” Nic shared.
As he grew older, Nic said his understanding of himself deepened, particularly when he began experiencing discomfort with his physical appearance—an experience that eventually led him to realize that he is transgender.
“Aesthetically, because I like to draw, from an artist’s standpoint, seeing the human body is nice. But I didn’t want it for me. I didn’t want a female form for me,” he explained.
Nic emphasized that being bisexual and being a trans man describe different aspects of his identity and are not in conflict with each other.
“Being bisexual and being a trans man are not contradictory,” he said.
He also revealed that his journey included a period of self-exploration before he fully embraced these identities.
“I think like it was for two years or so. I was gender fluid for a while, but I figured that I am bisexual. I am okay with saying that out loud,” Nic added.
According to Nic, he was able to talk to his parents about his identity early on. When he first opened up to his mother, the response was simple and accepting.
“I figured it out pretty early. I remember telling my mom at around 11 years old or so, ‘Mama, I think I’m bisexual.’ And she was like, ‘Okay,’ that’s it,” he recalled.
While Nic acknowledged that coming out can invite criticism and negative comments, he said he has learned to focus on support rather than hate—advice he hopes can help others in similar situations.
“There are going to be bad comments. If you look at all of them all the time, then you’re only going to feel terrible,” he said. “The good comments, try to focus on that instead. No matter where you go, there will be people that don’t like you and that’s okay.”
He added that he no longer allows negativity to define him.
“I figured the negative comments really don’t matter. These people’s minds are never going to change. Because they hate me for a reason that I cannot exactly control,” Nic said.
Nic also spoke about the strong support he continues to receive from both his parents, even amid public discussions surrounding their separation.
“My parents are on very good terms. My dad never cheated on my mom. My parents are still friends. They love each other but they do not love each other romantically,” he shared.
“They care for each other very much and they both love me very much,” he added, clarifying that his father’s new relationship does not change the love within their family.
Currently almost a year into hormonal therapy, Nic said his parents have been fully supportive of his transition.
Thriving both personally and professionally, Nic is set to return to the stage as Moritz Stiefel in ‘Spring Awakening’, which will run from February 13 to March 22, 2026, marking another milestone in his growing career as a theater actor.
