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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider Lea Salonga opens up about separation from husband: I am happy that he's happy

Lea Salonga opens up about separation from husband: I am happy that he's happy

Published Jan 21, 2026 11:06 pm
Filipino Broadway superstar Lea Salonga admitted she has been separated from her former husband, Robert Chien, but said they are supportive of their son, Nic Chien.
Lea Salonga (Images courtesy of Instagram)
Lea Salonga (Images courtesy of Instagram)
"We're both super busy, but thankfully, the dad and the dad's partner are the ones kapag may sipon ka, here I will send you food. Let's make sure that you are well. So it's not a secret. We have been separated for a while. And now he's happy. I am happy that he's happy," said Lea during an interview by popular entertainment broadcaster MJ Marfori of TV5, uploaded on TikTok on Jan. 21.
At 54, Lea opened up about her personal experience while discussing her son's gender transition. During the conversation, she offered thoughtful advice to both singles and couples on how to support, care for, and unconditionally love their gay children.
"If you do not have kids, if you think you will not be able to love your child if they come out to you and say, 'Mom, I am gay, mom I'm lesbian, mom I'm bisexual, mom I'm trans, if under those conditions your love will stop, don't have children. Don't.
Lea Salonga and son Nic Chien
Lea Salonga and son Nic Chien
"Save yourself the drama. Save yourself the heartbreak. Kasi kung hindi mo kaya, wag na lang because I heard on the internet that children are not customizable.
"Every kid is a blind box. Let's use those terms. It's a blind box. You don't know what you're gonna get. You don't know if it's gonna be what you want.
"Because chances are it's gonna be what you don't want, and that's what you're gonna get. My kid is wonderful. Now he's just working on being an actor," Lea also said.
Lea and Robert were married in January 2004.

Very accepting

In April 2025, Lea opened up about her transgender child. She celebrated her trans son in an interview with People Magazine.

Out.com reported that in the interview, Lea proudly supports her 19-year-old child, Nic, who recently started taking testosterone after coming out as transmasculine at age 14.

According to Nic, both his parents have been "very accepting," and his mom "just didn't want [his] life to be as hard as it would be." 

Even though he admits "it was rough," he says "this was the most ideal situation for me," People reported.

Lea stated that her career in musical theater has helped her adapt to motherhood, according to Out.com.

"I've learned how to raise a child who is their own being. I mean, there are obviously expectations. I'm glad that this kid can cook and do his own laundry and doesn't forget to feed the cat!" she said. "But the one thing I've learned is that you have to raise your child the way your child needs to be raised."

"As a parent, I want my child to feel safe and strong and ready to conquer the world on their own terms," said Lea, who won a Tony in 1991 for Best Actress in Miss Saigon and provided the singing voice for two Disney Princesses, Jasmine in Aladdin, and Mulan in Mulan.

Nic said: "Sometimes I feel alone, but I'm not. It does really help to have people in your corner."

Out.com also reported that Nic was following in his mother's footsteps by playing Jack in a production of Into the Woods last August in the Philippines, where the family spent part of its time.

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