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Yep, she’s gay: Filipina superstar Charice comes out as a lesbian

Photo: Angela Weiss/Getty Images

About a year ago, Filipina superstar (and former Glee phenomenon) Charice got herself a trendy tomboy haircut and an androgynous new wardrobe, and tabloids in the Philippines lost their minds. Last week speculation about her sexuality reached fever pitch, so over the weekend, Charice sat down with Boy Abunda on the celebrity talk show The Buzz and beautifully, bravely confirmed that yes, she is a lesbian.

She broke down in tears as the interview continued, saying:

Now I want to ask forgiveness to those who don’t understand, to those who can’t accept me. I’m sorry. I can understand. For those who will accept and can accept me, thank you very much. And for what I have done I just want to say that I feel that a heavy weight has been lifted from me now (tears up voice slightly breaks). That I can leave the house without hiding anything, nor putting anyone down because I’m not hiding anything. Sorry Mommy, Carl…but this is me. I’m proud of myself, I love myself. That is why I’ve done this. To my fans, I know a lot of you are disappointed, some of you will probably leave me. Sorry. You know I’m a sincere person. From the bottom of my heart, sorry. I understand.

Charice Mania, an awesomely comprehensive fansite, has posted a transcript of the full interview. You can watch the coming out clip below.

After getting her start on YouTube back in 2007, Charice was scooped up by Oprah and then Ellen and then Ryan Murphy, who one time said that when she opens her mouth, angels fly out. You probably remember her from her awesome guest arc as Sunshine Corazon on Glee. (She is one of the ten billion rock stars Rachel chased away from McKinley High School back in season two.) Charice has also released two platinum albums and is the first Asian solo singer to land on Billboard’s Top 10 and the first Filipino singer to have a top 20 single on the UK charts. These days she’s also a judge on the Philippine version of The X Factor.

Charice’s coming out was especially heartwarming because after her teary plea to fans yesterday morning, she was flooded with encouragement and support. All over Twitter and in the comments sections of blogs around the whole internet, her fans embraced the announcement. Most of them just want to know if she has plans to release new music any time soon.

Another Filipina singer — whom you know as the voice of Princess Jasmine, as the voice of Mulan, and also as Shay Mitchell‘s cousin — Lea Salonga took to Twitter to congratulate Charice.

And so did Filipina TV host and model Bianca Gonzalez.

And Filipino TV producer Michael Carandang of America’s Next Top Model and The Tyra Banks Show fame.

And Pulitzer Prize-winning Filipino journalist Jose Antonio Vargas.

And last night, Charice herself finally tweeted her amazement at the support.

Still reading your tweets. Too good to be true. Umpisa pa lang to. Umpisa ULIT ito. I love you all.

— charice (@officialccrp) June 2, 2013

Every time a celebrity comes out, it leaves the closest door open a little bit wider for others to follow. Thank you having the courage to live your life openly and honestly, Charice!

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