Coming out is a big, big deal for anyone in the LGBT community, but when you’re in the public eye, it can be made a thousand times more difficult. Now, following in the footsteps of fellow television actors Jim Parsons and Neil Patrick Harris, “Glee” actress Charice Pempengco has spoken out about her sexuality.
Making the decision to come out even more daunting was the fact that she did it on a popular Filipino talk show in her native language.
“I have deep gratitude for the Filipinos because they are the ones who know who I really am. … I don’t know what the problem is because for me, there is no problem with that. So now I ask for forgiveness from those who don’t understand. And those who cannot accept. I apologize: I understand you,” she said. “To those who could accept, and who could accept me, thank you very, very much. I just want to say to all of you that I feel very light – that I can leave the house knowing I am not hiding anything.”
The 21-year old broke down in tears at one point, saying, “Now I feel free. I can go out of the house without fear and be certain that I’m not stepping on anybody’s toes.”
The news may not come as a surprise to those who have watched her rise to fame; after being discovered on the South Korean show “Star King” in 2007, she changed her look dramatically from dresses and makeup to a short hairstyle and laid-back clothing, prompting rumors that she was gay.