Broadway icon and Tony Award-winning performer Lea Salonga has openly confirmed that she and her husband, Robert Chien, have been separated for quite some time, clarifying that the situation is not new and was never meant to be hidden from the public. Despite the separation, Salonga emphasized that their family remains united, especially when it comes to supporting their son, Nic.
In a recent interview with TV5 entertainment broadcaster MJ Marfori, which was uploaded on TikTok on January 21 and quickly gained traction online, Salonga spoke candidly about her personal life. “It’s not a secret. We have been separated for a while,” she said. “And now he’s happy. I am happy that he’s happy.” Her remarks were met with widespread support, with many praising her maturity and grace in addressing the matter.
The 54-year-old Broadway star shared the revelation while discussing a deeply personal topic: her experience as a parent to a transgender child. Salonga offered firm and heartfelt advice to parents, stressing the importance of unconditional love. “If you think your love will stop if your child comes out to you, don’t have children,” she said bluntly. “Children are not customizable. Every kid is a blind box.”
Salonga described her son Nic as “wonderful” and shared that he is now pursuing acting, a path influenced in part by her own background in musical theater. She noted that motherhood, much like performing, requires empathy, patience, and the willingness to listen. “As a parent, I want my child to feel safe, strong, and ready to conquer the world on their own terms,” she said, underscoring her belief that parents should be their children’s strongest advocates.
Best known for winning a Tony Award in 1991 for her role in Miss Saigon, Salonga is also celebrated globally as the singing voice of Disney princesses Jasmine and Mulan. She married Chien in January 2004, and together they have consistently shown a united front in parenting. In April 2025, Salonga publicly celebrated Nic after he came out as transmasculine, sharing that both she and Chien had been fully accepting and supportive throughout his journey.
Today, Salonga continues to stand by that message—demonstrating that while relationships may change, love, respect, and family support can remain steadfast.