Television

Former Glee Star Charice Pempengco Changes Name To Jake Zyrus

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By Dianne Gebauer

Singer Charice Pempengco has unveiled his new name, Jake Zyrus, after first coming out as a trans man three years ago.

The Filipino singer tweeted for the first time as Jake on Monday, June 19, 2017. "My first tweet as Jake. Overwhelmed," he wrote. "Saw all your love comments and I'm so happy. Finally. I love you, everyone and see you soon."

Later that same day, the 25-year-old tweeted again in thanks for the outpouring of love and support from fans and the media alike. "I won't let anyone ruin this moment. I won't let anyone ruin my happiness," he expressed. "Thank you to all the beautiful write ups about me."

As People reported, all of the international renowned singer's previous social media posts have been deleted — symbolically representing this new beginning. 

Gleeks everywhere will remember Zyrus' iconic debut as Sunshine Corazon on the hit Fox TV show in 2010, duetting Lady Gaga's "Telephone" with Lea Michele in a high school restroom. Following the release of his first record, Charice, that year, he became the first Asian recording artist to break into the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 (via Entertainment Tonight).

In 2013, Zyrus came out as lesbian, telling The Buzz, "Now I feel free. I can go out of the house without fear and certain that I'm not stepping on anybody's toes." 

And during an appearance on Oprah Winfrey's Where Are They Now the following year, the "Pyramid" singer first addressed rumors of his gender identity. As he told the host — who once called him "the most talented girl in the world" — "my soul is like a male." However, as Zyrus admitted at the time, "I'm not going to go through that stage where I change everything. I'll cut my hair and wear boy clothes and everything, but that's all."

He also revealed to Winfrey that he had always been aware of his gender and sexual identities from a very young age. "I knew when I was 5," he confessed. "Then, when I was 10, I was like, 'Oh, that's it, I'm gay.'"

Congratulations on your new beginn, Jake!

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