Lea Salonga on Parenting: “The One Duty Is to Love Your Child Unconditionally”

Actress and musical theater star Lea Salonga opened up about supporting her only child, Nic Chien, through his transition, emphasizing the importance of unconditional love in parenting.

During a media call for the Les Misérables World Tour Spectacular on January 21, 2026, Lea shared her approach to parenting and putting family first.

“The one duty that every parent has is to love their child unconditionally. Full stop,” she said.

“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 and say, ‘Mom, I’m gay, Mom, I’m a lesbian, Mom, I’m bisexual or Mom, I’m trans,’ if under those conditions your love will stop, don’t have children... Save yourself the drama and heartbreak. If hindi mo kaya, ‘wag na lang,” she said.

“Children are not customizable. Every kid is a blind box. You don’t know what you will get—but chances are it is the one you don’t want but that is what you will get,” Lea added.

She then acknowledged critics but emphasized that her priority is helping her child. “I am aware there are folks that will not understand or have a very negative opinion of the decisions we made for his health and own navigation of the world as a trans man—my only thing is I have to do what I need to do to help my child.”

Also read: “Lea Salonga on Raising Trans Child: ‘Meet Them Where They Are’”

Lea and Robert’s only child, Nic Chien, publicly came out as transmasculine at age 14 and began hormone therapy last year. Nic, who is pursuing an acting career, appeared alongside Lea in the Manila staging of Into the Woods.

Lea shared that Nic’s transition led to positive changes. “When there is change, the voice drops, body hair, it was a much more positive outcome… I just want a happy kid,” she said.

She also shared the emotional challenges of watching Nic navigate dysphoria. “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, it is a terrible feeling. There is a feeling of guilt when you are unable to help your child. It is truly difficult,” Lea said.

“But 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 added.

In the same interview, the Tony-winning actress revealed she’s been separated from her husband, Robert Chien. “We are both super busy, but thankful the dad and dad’s partner are the ones—‘pag may sipon ka, ‘here I will send you food,’ ‘I will make sure you are well.’ It’s not a secret we have been separated for a while. He is happy and I am happy he is happy,” Lea said.

Lea and Robert married in 2007, and despite their separation, the couple continues to co-parent their child and maintain a supportive family environment.

Lea is currently performing in Les Misérables: World Tour Spectacular at The Theatre at Solaire, which runs through March 1, 2026.

An expert explains why you shouldn’t confront your child after they come out as LGBTQ. Click here to read more.