Lea Salonga’s Son Nic Chien Shares Life-Changing Transformation During Transgender Awareness Week
LEA SALONGA – Nic Chien, the transgender son of Lea Salonga, shocked and inspired fans after unveiling his topless post-surgery photo with the message “Worth it!”
Like singer-songwriter Jake Zyrus, Nic Chien—the transgender son of Broadway star Lea Salonga—has undergone breast removal surgery, marking a significant milestone in his transition. Nic shared the news through a powerful Instagram post, where he uploaded a topless photo and confirmed that he had his breast removal procedure last September 2025.
Nic, whose full name is Nicole Beverly Chien, revealed that the FTM chest reconstruction surgery was a success. At 19 years old, he expressed how meaningful the operation has been for his personal journey and well-being.
In the caption of his post, he wrote, “Was able to finally get top surgery last September. Been waiting to heal enough to post a nice looking picture of myself. The healing process was brutal! But worth it,” openly describing both the difficulty and the fulfillment that came with the procedure.
He went on to explain the emotional impact of the surgery, saying, “On a more serious note, it’s done wonders for my gender dysphoria and overall mental health. Not having to wear a binder, be afraid of judgment, and being able to be shirtless has been one of the most gratifying things EVER.”
Nic also emphasized the importance of access to gender-affirming care, writing, “I’m very grateful to be able to receive gender affirming care, and I hope sharing and talking about my experiences helps show the importance of this kind of stuff.”
He then greeted the community with, “Happy trans gender awareness week, everyone! P.S wouldn’t have been able to do all of this without parents support, love you!”
Nic’s post coincided with Transgender Awareness Week, celebrated from November 13 to 19, a time dedicated to raising visibility and understanding for transgender individuals worldwide. By sharing his topless photo, Nic proudly declared to the world that he is now fully embraced as a transgender man.
His announcement also echoes a similar moment in 2017, when Jake Zyrus—formerly known as Charice Pempengco—revealed that he had undergone the same procedure, known medically as female-to-male chest reconstruction surgery.
Nic’s openness marks not just a personal triumph but also a meaningful contribution to transgender visibility and acceptance.
READ ALSO: Lea Salonga Fully Supports Child Nic Chien’s Transition