Broadway Star Lea Salonga Publicly Affirms Support for Trans Son And Urges Unconditional Parental Love

Broadway and Disney star Lea Salonga has opened up publicly about her support for her 19-year-old son, Nic Chien, who is transgender, in a series of candid interviews conducted this week.

Salonga, famed for her roles in "Miss Saigon", "Mulan", and "Aladdin", expressed her support, stating that her entire family is happy with Nic's transition. In an interview with journalist MJ Marfori, Salonga addressed prospective parents directly, emphasizing the importance of unconditional love. "To those who do not have kids, if you think you will not be able to love your child if they come out to you—if they say 'Mom, I'm gay, lesbian, bisexual, or trans'—if under those conditions your love will stop, do not have children.

Nic came out as transmasculine at age 14 and is now 19 years old, using he/they pronouns. In November 2025, Nic celebrated his top surgery with a heartfelt Instagram post. Salonga described the physical and emotional changes that have accompanied Nic's transition positively, noting that hormone therapy has brought encouraging results. "When there is change, the voice drops, body hair, it is a much more positive outcome… I just want a happy kid, she said.

Salonga also spoke openly about the emotional challenges she faced as a parent. She described the weight of watching her child struggle with gender dysphoria and the sense of helplessness that accompanied it. "The dysphoria was a lot to deal with. It was affecting his mental health and every aspect of his life. To be his mom and to feel helpless is a terrible feeling, she explained. Nic began testosterone therapy in January 2025.

According to Salonga, consistent support, professional therapy, and hormone treatment have been instrumental in Nic's journey. "With testosterone therapy and everything else, working with his therapist just figuring out how to be happy in his body, being confident to show the results, everyone in the family is so happy that he knew what he wanted, she stated. Salonga emphasized that her responsibility as a parent has always been to advocate for her child's well-being. "My job as his mom was to try and figure out how to get things done, she said.

Salonga also confirmed during these interviews that she and her husband Robert Chien have separated after more than 20 years of marriage. Both parents remain on good terms and are committed to co-parenting their son.

Currently, Salonga is performing in "Les Misérables: World Tour Spectacular" at The Theater at Solaire, where she portrays Madame Thénardier, a role that runs through March 1, 2026.