Last May 16, Broadway star Lea Salonga could not help but share how proud she is to be a mom to her only son Nic Chien as he officially bid farewell to his teenage years this month. In her Instagram post, Lea shared a loving birthday message and included seven of her favorite photographs of Nic on and off stage, in various stage productions.
She wrote, “20!!! Already!!! To say that I’m proud of this young man would be the understatement of the year; this human is kind, funny, sensitive, empathetic, and so much fun!”
“My babes, there are so many adventures waiting for you this year, and even more to come later on. With rigor, focus, healthy humor, and a solid work ethic, your dreams will come true and you’ll have a blast in the process. Until then, enjoy today! Momma loves you so much! I am the luckiest one in the world to be your momma!,” she added.
READ: Nic Chien celebrates milestone in transition journey after undergoing top surgery
Last year, Lea got to share the stage with her son for the very first time in the star-studded cast of the Theater Group Asia musical Into The Woods. Earlier this year, Nic also performed as part of the cast of the Sandbox Collective’s Spring Awakening as Moritz Stiefel.
Nic started his transition journey by undergoing top surgery in Singapore last September and then revealed he was bisexual earlier this year.
In her birthday message to Nic last year, the ever supportive mom didn’t hold back in her outpouring of love for her only child. “This is the most precious human being in my little world. The one who captured my heart from the word go. The one that made me realize how insignificant my life was, until that initial piercing cry at 12:12pm on May 16, 2006. And now, he is turning 19. With each step into adulthood, my heart grows in ways I couldn’t have predicted. That he is, with honesty and courage, growing into who he’s meant to be makes me incredibly proud.”
READ: Lea Salonga's son Nic Chien reveals that he is bisexual: ‘I am okay with saying that out loud’
Last February, Nic revealed he was bisexual in an interview with Korina Sanchez on her show Rated K where the theater actor talked about his journey as a transgender man and opened up about his gender identity and sexual orientation and how he told his mom about being bisexual at the age of 11.
“I think like [it was] for 2 years or so. I was gender fluid for a while, but I figured that I am bisexual. I am okay with saying that out loud. I figured that out in Grade 5. I’m attracted to my friends who are girls, but I am also attracted to guys,” he shared.
In support of her son, the Award-winning musical actress has always been vocal about being there for her child every step of the way in his journey, as shared during their interview in PEOPLE magazine.
“As a parent I want to set my child up for success. I want my child to feel safe and strong and ready to conquer the world on their own terms. I’ve learned how to raise a child who is their own being. I mean, there are obviously expectations. I’m glad this kid can cook and do his own laundry and doesn’t forget to feed the cat. But the one thing I’ve learned is that you have to raise your child the way your child needs to be raised,” she shared.