Nic Chien, child of Broadway star Lea Salonga, shared a major milestone in his transition journey as he revealed on November 17 that he successfully underwent top surgery last September.
According to the John Hopkins Medicine, Top Surgery (Chest Feminization or Chest Masculinization) is a “surgery that removes or augments breast tissue and reshapes the nipples and chest to create a more masculine or feminine appearance for transgender and nonbinary people.”
Marking Transgender Awareness Week, Nic posted a set of photos, including a proud look at his healing chest, moments from his hospital stay, and an image from his childhood, signaling how far he has come and how significant the step has been for him.
"🏳️⚧️!𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤!🏳️⚧️," Nic began. “Been waiting to heal enough to post a nice looking picture of myself 😅. The healing process was brutal! But worth it 🙂↕️”
In his post, Nic emphasized how the surgery transformed his daily life, saying it had benefitted his mental health, stating: “On a more serious note, it’s done wonders for my gender dysphoria and overall mental health.”
He described the procedure as a deeply meaningful turning point after years of navigating gender dysphoria. “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,” he wrote, reflecting on the physical recovery and the emotional relief that followed.
Nic shared that being able to receive gender-affirming care was something he felt grateful for, expressing hope that being open about his experience would help others understand its importance. “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. Happy trans gender awareness week, everyone! 🫶"
He also acknowledged his parents’ role in this milestone, saying, “P.S wouldn’t have been able to do all of this without parents support, love you ❤️”
The journey leading up to this moment was something Nic and Lea previously discussed in a PEOPLE Magazine feature published last April. From there, Nic spoke about how supportive Lea and his father were of his transitioning journey.
“She didn’t want my life to be as hard as it would be. This was the most ideal situation for me… It was rough,” Nic told PEOPLE Magazine.
Lea, as a mother, emphasized the responsibility of parents to guide their children with compassion, especially when it comes to identity. She shared that she and Nic’s father, Robert Charles Chien, have always stood by him through every step.
READ: Lea Salonga shares how she supported her child Nic Chien into transitioning
“Musical theater is quite an unpredictable, sometimes think-on-your-feet type of art form. I’ve learned how to raise a child who is their own being. I mean, there are obviously expectations. I’m glad this kid can cook and do his own laundry and doesn’t forget to feed the cat. But the one thing I’ve learned is that you have to raise your child the way your child needs to be raised,” she said.
“As a parent I want to set my child up for success. I want my child to feel safe and strong and ready to conquer the world on their own terms,” Lea emphasized.
Alongside his personal transition milestones, Nic is also finding his place in theater. He recently portrayed Jack in the musical Into the Woods, a role aligned with his lived experience as a transgender performer. In the same production, Lea took on the role of the Witch, marking a meaningful moment for mother and son as they shared the stage while he explored work that resonated with his identity.
READ: Lea Salonga’s child Nic Chien joins cast of ‘Into The Woods’ as Jack
Nic’s announcement stands as a defining chapter in his transition journey, one marked by courage, support, and a newfound sense of alignment, shared at a time dedicated to honoring and uplifting the transgender community.
Transgender Awareness Week is observed annually from November 13 to November 19 to raise visibility and awareness for the transgender community, and the issues the community faces.