‘Glee’ star Charice Pempengco comes out as trans man
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The crazy-talented singer formerly known as Charice Pempengco has announced his new name, Jake Zyrus, on both Twitter and Instagram. Jake became a YouTube sensation after appearing on the Filipino talent show, Little Big Kid, at the age of 13. Prior to that, Jake had competed in talent shows to try and earn money after his family fled a horribly abusive situation with his father.
Jake was discovered and his star shot into the stratosphere. Oprah Winfrey considered Jake one of the most talent people she’d ever heard. With Oprah’s help, Jake connected with David Foster and went on to perform with Josh Groban, Michael Bublé, Andrea Bocelli and Céline Dion, an idol of Jake’s. In addition, he released an album, Charice, and appeared on three episodes of Glee as foreign exchange student Sunshine Corazon. And during this crazy ride to stardom, Jake has been on another journey, realizing his true self.
World, meet Jake Zyrus.
The 25-year-old Filipino singer, formerly known as Charice Pempengco, announced the name change on social media nearly three years after telling Oprah Winfrey that “my soul is like male.” Zyrus, who found fame through YouTube and guest appearances on Glee in 2010, shared a heartfelt message to fans over the weekend.
In 2013, Zyrus came out as lesbian, later addressing an obvious image change. “I know some people are more used to the old Charice, a ballad singer with the pigtails,” the entertainer reportedly shared at the time. “For me, in my heart, I’ve always wanted to be more edgy, rock, more [on the] dark side. I know some people think that this is very rebellious but it’s not. It’s just me evolving. It’s me transforming into another person that is totally me.”
Then one year later, the “Pyramid” singer—who Winfrey dubbed “the most talented girl in the world”—sat down to share a new revelation with the media mogul. When asked about a possible transition, Zyrus explained, “Not exactly transitioning to a male, but basically my soul is like male.”
Jake added, “But I’m not going to go through that stage where I’m going to change everything—not change my body. I would change, like, this look: Cut my hair and wear boy clothes and everything, but that’s all.”
[From E! News]
Monday he posted the following to Twitter and Instagram:
My first tweet as Jake. Overwhelmed. Saw all your love comments and I'm so happy. Finally. I love you, everyone and see you soon.
— Jake Zyrus (@jakezyrus) June 20, 2017
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for the love and respect. I love you back and I'm sending peace to everyone.
A post shared by Jake Zyrus (@jakezyrusmusic) on Jun 17, 2017 at 10:23pm PDT
Jake release his fifth studio album Catharsis last year. I am awed by his strength, considering that he was terrified of his father (who was later murdered in the street) and that he had to support his family at such a young age. I’m delighted to know he’s found peace and success. His mom must have provided an amazingly secure environment for him to have such confidence while being surrounded by uncertainty in the outside world. So kudos to everyone, including Oprah and David Foster who have supported Jake from the start.
And he looks great in this suit!
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Photo credit: Getty Images, Twitter and Instagram
Source: ‘Glee’ star Charice Pempengco comes out as trans man
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