Lea Salonga Opens Up About Parenting Her Transmasculine Son, Nic Chien

Broadway star Lea Salonga speaks to PEOPLE exclusively about parenting her 18-year-old son, Nic Chien, who came out as transmasculine at age 14. Salonga and her son reflect on what support should look like between queer kids and their parents.

For Lea Salonga, her extensive experience in musical theater serves as a unique preparation for parenthood. “From decades of treading the boards in quite an unpredictable, sometimes think-on-your-feet type of art form,” she explains, “I’ve learned how to raise a child who is their own being.”

A Journey of Self-Discovery

At 18, Nic Chien is around the same age his mother was when she first became an international stage star. The Manila native earned her Tony Award in 1991 for her breakout role as Kim in the hit musical Miss Saigon, and has since provided the singing voices of Jasmine in Aladdin and Mulan in Mulan, making history as Broadway’s first Asian Éponine in Les Misérables.

Reflecting on her teenage years, Salonga describes herself as “a relatively calm and stoic teenager,” before teasingly contrasting that with Nic’s more tumultuous experience. “Nic, not so much,” she adds with a smile.

Although Nic isn’t having quite the whirlwind introduction to adulthood that his mother did, his journey has been challenging in its own right. Assigned female at birth, he identified as transmasculine at age 14 and began taking testosterone this January. “I am still figuring it out,” Nic admits as he prepares for a gap year after graduating from his New York City high school. “It took a while. A lot of crying! A lot of, ‘You gotta tell me how you feel’ and a lot of, ‘I don’t know what I’m feeling.’”

Supportive Family Dynamics

When Nic first came out to his mother, she playfully wondered if he might be nonbinary. “An okay reaction,” he tells her, noting that he shares almost everything with her. His family, including his father Robert Chien, has been “very accepting,” which has made it easier for him to express himself. Salonga’s primary concern was ensuring that Nic’s life would not be as difficult as it could be.

Despite having a supportive parent like Salonga, Nic acknowledges that growing up trans in today’s world is challenging. “This was the most ideal situation for me,” he says, but adds, “It was rough.”

The Essence of Parenting

“Every child that comes into this world is different,” Salonga emphasizes. “You have to meet your kid where they are.” She acknowledges that parenting comes with expectations, such as ensuring homework gets done and teaching life skills like cooking and laundry. However, she believes that the most important lesson is to raise children according to their individual needs.

Salonga continues, “As a parent, I want to set my child up for success. The grown-ups in the room need to help kids feel safe and strong and ready to conquer the world on their own terms.”

Following in Her Footsteps

For Nic, conquering the world on his own terms means following in his mother’s footsteps on stage and “playing boy characters,” a lifelong dream. This August, he will portray Jack in a production of Into the Woods in the Philippines, where the family lives part-time, joining Salonga as the Witch. Ahead of college, he and his mother plan to continue their favorite activity: seeing musicals and discussing them over dinner.

Advice for Parents of Queer Children

Nic’s advice for other parents of queer children is straightforward: “Just love your kid. And if you don’t, why did you have kids in the first place?”

As he looks toward the future, Nic remains realistic yet hopeful about the challenges he may face as a trans adult. “Sometimes I feel alone, but I’m not,” he says, glancing at his mother. “It does really help to have people in your corner.”

Lea Salonga’s journey as a mother, combined with Nic’s candid reflections on his transition, highlights the importance of love, understanding, and support in navigating the complexities of identity and family dynamics.