In 2008, Filipina songstress Charice Pempengco was painted as a sweet teenage girl with brunette locks and dreams of becoming a singer – now, six years later, she is opening up about her personal life after coming out as lesbian.
The 22-year-old unveiled a dramatic change of look in an interview with the Oprah Winfrey Network.
Pempengco said: “I’m not exactly transitioning, but my soul is male.
“I’m not going to go through that stage where I’m going to change everything. I don’t want to change my body.
“I will change to this look – I cut my hair and wear boy clothes and everything, but that’s all.”
On coming out, she added: “I knew when I was five. I was in grade school and I saw this girl and I felt different.
“I didn’t know what it was, but it felt special. When I was 10 I found the word, I’m gay.”
The full interview will air on the OWN Network in the US on Sunday night.
Agencies/Canadajournal