Former ‘Glee’ Star Charice Comes Out: ‘Yes, I’m A Lesbian’

Former Glee star Charice has officially put an end to speculation about her sexuality.

The Filipina singer told The Buzz host Boy Abunda, “Opo, tomboy po ako,” which means “Yes, I’m a lesbian” in Tagalog.

“Now I feel free,” she said. “I can go out of the house without fear and certain that I’m not stepping on anybody’s toe.”

The 21-year-old tearfully asked for forgiveness from those who might not be able to accept her sexuality.

“To those who can accept me, thank you very much,” she said. “We are all equal, whether you are gay or straight.”

She also reportedly had a “coming out” party for her 21st birthday, and thanked her fans for their support.

Charice had previously avoided answering questions about her sexual preference once rumors started spreading that she was gay when she started opting for a more “tomboyish” look, which she described as “edgy and rock.” She said it was her “evolving” and dismissed the transformation as a sort of a rebellion.

Charice, who was dubbed by Oprah as the “Most Talented Girl in the World,” released her first international studio album, Charice, in 2010. The album debuted on the Billboard 200 at #8, making Charice the first Asian solo singer ever to land in the top 10 on the chart. That same year, she made her debut in the second season of Glee as Sunshine Corazon, an exchange student from the Philippines and a rival to Rachel Berry (Lea Michele). Charice didn’t return for the third season, but said that working on the show was a “great experience.”

In March 2012, Charice signed on to be a judge and mentor for the Filipino version of The X Factor, which premiered on ABS-CBN in June. The second season will premiere in mid-2014, but it is unclear whether Charice will be returning, as she is hoping to continue pursuing a musical career in the US.

You can watch Charice’s interview with Boy Abunda below.