Nic Chien, the son of Lea Salonga and Robert Chien, recalled how he learned about the separation of his parents through a "terrible fan" comment on Instagram several years ago.
During his guesting on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda on March 20, the Spring Awakening actor reflected on his mother’s recent decision to publicly acknowledge their separation, saying that he was a "little" surprised about it.
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“A little [surprised]. But at the same time, not, because it had been a long time coming and it's honestly about time that she talked about it and I'm very glad she did,” he said.
Nic recounted how he first learned about his parents’ separation not through a conversation at home, but through a "terrible fan" comment left online.
“When I was 14, I had my own Instagram where I posted my art there," he began, before turning sarcastic as he recalled the moment.
"Some terrible fan... some ‘lovely person’ went to the comments and in all [capital letters the fan wrote], ‘Nicole, I’m so sorry that your parents are divorced. God bless your mom. I’m so sorry,'” he said.
“What the hell? I had no idea that they were split. I don’t know where they heard this from. I was bawling my eyes out, and my boyfriend at that time, and one of my best friends were [asking], ‘what’s wrong with you?’ I was basically a child.”
Seeking clarity, Nic reached out to his father soon after, who confirmed the situation with honesty and reassurance.
“I texted my dad, ‘what’s going on?’ [and he said], ‘I’m very sorry you found out like that. But yes, me and your mom are separated. We want you to know that it was very hard. The conversation was long and very difficult for us. And it’s not your fault,'” Nic shared.
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Despite the separation, Nic emphasized that their family dynamic has remained intact and strong. When asked about his relationship with his father, he described it as “great.” It was also the same word he used to describe the relationship between his parents today.
As a child, Nic said that he had already sensed subtle differences between his parents and those of his peers, even if he did not fully understand them at the time.
“Even as a kid, I had a feeling that my parents were not as affectionate toward each other. I noticed that. I thought it was normal because that's all I knew. But when you see your friends' parents kiss each other, hold each other in certain ways, and you see your parents not really do that so much, you know,” he said.
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Nic was asked by Tito Boy if he ever asked Lea about having a new boyfriend and he answered, "I did [ask her when she will have a boyfriend], but then I think she doesn’t want one.”
"I think she’s very content with how she is right now,” he added.
“Who am I to tell her, ‘find a man’? She doesn’t need one. She’s perfectly independent and whole on her own. She tells me, apparently, I’m the only man she needs in her life. It’s her son, that’s it," he said.
Nic also spoke warmly about his father’s current partner, expressing genuine affection and appreciation for his stepmom.
“My stepmom is a wonderful lady. I'm so glad this is on TV, I want to say this, for the record she's a wonderful lady. I care about her and I love her. And my dad and her make a lovely couple," he said.
Nic expressed how he wants both his parents to be happy and concluded that “they are happy to be separated."
It was in January this year when Lea publicly confirmed her separation from Robert, saying that it was not a secret and that she is happy for him. While she revealed that he is in a relationship with someone new, she opted not to reveal further details about the end of their marriage.
The former couple tied the knot in 2004 in Los Angeles, California.