Jessica Sanchez on Jake Zyrus’ coming out: I’m happy to support him

FILE: Jessica Sanchez performing at the Hollywood and Highland Tree Lighting (Photo By Jessicamyidolxo – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0)

Jake Zyrus’s “Music & Me Concert” paved way for his reunion with the American Idol runner-up Jessica Sanchez, who was open to supporting him.

Jessica is one of Jake’s special guests who flew all the way from the United States of America (USA) just to join him this May 25.

“I’m a huge supporter of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) community. When I go back home, I’m going to Chicago and perform at Chicago Pride. It’s normal to me. It didn’t affect me that much. I’m just really happy to support him in his journey,” she told the entertainment press according to PUSH.

For Jessica, Jakes’s transition from Charice Pempengco did not lessen his talent in singing.

“I can’t stop acknowledging Filipino talents out here. It’s insane! I’m proud of Jake coming out, of being himself. That’s a very hard thing to do – eyes watch you all the time. This is a real artist being himself,” she added.

Jake also praised Jessica for her influence globally. “Si Jessica is well known. The fact ‘yung talent niya na-appreciate ng marami, ‘yun ang nakaka-proud (that her talent is appreciated by many, that is something to be proud of),” he said as Jessica is a fellow Filipino who penetrated the international music scene.

The very first time for the two musicians to perform together was in a benefit concert in New York City for the victims of the Typhoon Haiyan back in March 2014, when Jake was still Charice. They were joined by Jennifer Hudson, Plain White T’s, Pentatonix, Apl De Ap, Dante Basco and Robert Lopez.

Jessica will be staying in the country until June 13.

It was in 2012 when Jake, who was Charice then started coming out of his closet, at that time identifying himself as a lesbian. But last year, after deciding to change his name in his social media accounts, he has pursued a more masculine identity, undergoing top surgery and taking testosterone shots.

In an interview with Papermag last year, he said that he had no regrets when he was still Charice.

“I am always thankful for the life of Charice that I experienced and the music that I shared, but that obviously belongs to her, it’s not for me. I’m letting her go and be free,” he said.