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‘Whether It’s Charice or Jake Zyrus, I’m a Singer’

jake zyrus tour

By Raymond Ang

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D’Haven is a modest event space and lounge in Woodside, Queens, just across the street from an auto body shop and about a 10-minute walk away from a street that was recently renamed “Little Manila.” Jake Zyrus, the world-conquering Filipino singer who, in 2010, became the first solo Asian artist to land a Top 10 album on the Billboard charts , is here to perform at a Philippine independence day celebration where he’s the star attraction, on a bill that includes singers from The Voice and The X-Factor.

Still, in the holding area, Zyrus tells me he’s nervous. “Whether you sing in front of five, 10 or 10,000 people, it’s the same feeling,” he says. “When it’s really bad, I get anxiety and I feel it here,” pointing to his chest.

In 2008, at just 16 years old, Zyrus brought a crowd of 18,000 to its feet as the special guest at a Celine Dion concert in Madison Square Garden. Singing the superstar’s 1996 hit “Because You Loved Me,” the teenager exhibited beyond-his-years composure and a VH1 Divas Live -ready vocal range as Dion looked on with pride, raising her hands in disbelief. Reviewing the concert, The New York Times ’ Jon Caramanica praised the teenager’s “impressive voice,” writing that “[Zyrus] explored the song’s heretofore unheard rougher edges, with ample gesticulations and melisma.”

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Watching the performance on YouTube in 2022—the unofficial video has more than 41 million views —the sheer impact of it can still knock you out, a pint-sized lifetime’s worth of singing competitions, survival, and raw talent culminating in a triumphant moment beside one of the world’s greatest vocalists.

But that was in a past life and under a different name. In 2017, the singer came out as a trans man, making the announcement on Twitter by simply saying, “My first tweet as Jake. Overwhelmed. Saw all your love [and] comments and I'm so happy. Finally.” Before that, Zyrus had come out as a lesbian in 2013, though he later said that his soul is male.

“Growing up, I didn’t know about transgender people or what it meant to be trans,” he tells me now. “But I always knew deep in my heart that I was born in the wrong body.” When Jake was 20 years old, a friend told him about the transition journey of Chaz Bono, the child of pop legends Cher and Sonny Bono. After doing his own research, Zyrus realized that he might be trans too.

“When I was performing [Celine Dion songs], behind closed doors I would imagine myself singing Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, Justin Bieber,” he says. “I would sing that in my bathroom.” Today, he finds himself drawn to the music of Frank Ocean and Zayn Malik.

Fourteen years ago, when Zyrus went to New York to sing at Madison Square Garden, he was riding a wave that had started with performances on the Korean talent show Star King , led to high-profile appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Oprah Winfrey Show —where the talk show host called him “the world’s most talented [kid]”—and culminated with a buzzy role on Glee and the Top 10 debut of his album Charice .

Today’s show—in a small ballroom in the middle of Queens—is more intimate. One could choose to see that as a step backward for Zyrus, from an 18,000-capacity arena to an events space with a little over 100 guests. But this is just part of the process of reintroducing yourself.

And whatever nerves Zyrus felt backstage, he’s able to summon the swagger of a pop star as soon as the spotlight hits him. He starts his set by walking through the crowd, breezing through a cover of Bruno Mars’ “24K Magic.” He follows it up with a cover of the Filipino ballad “Hatdog” by Zack Tabuldo and James Reid, blowing the audience away with his falsetto.

“Jake worked past being [a child prodigy] very early in life,” says music producer David Foster, the man behind pop classics like Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” and Toni Braxton’s "Un-Break My Heart.” “[He was] just a killer by age 15… The novelty thing wore off and the great singer just stood there and delivered night after night after night.”

Foster mentored Zyrus in the late 2000s and toured with him for a few years. “The musical knowledge has not gone anywhere,” he says “Whatever Charice could do, Jake can do, it’s just six tones lower—certainly in the range of all the great guy singers.”

But virtuoso singing is one thing—and in today’s pop world, hardly essential—and adult success is another. Today, Zyrus finds himself in a position that isn't unlike that of countless other child prodigies: old enough for the shock of your talent to be taken for granted, but young enough for the baggage of the past to be the biggest stumbling block to your future.

In 2008, when Zyrus appeared on Oprah for the first time and delivered an impassioned cover of Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” that brought the studio audience to its feet, a stunned Winfrey asked, “Who are you?”

Zyrus told Oprah his story: about surviving domestic abuse and childhood poverty. He relayed the story of being three years old and watching his father choke his mother and point a gun to her head. “I’m singing for my mother,” he said, “to help her because I wasn’t able to help her then.” Zyrus didn’t say it then but he had also survived sexual assault, a revelation he would make in I Am Jake , his 2018 memoir.

As the waves of applause reached him after singing “I Have Nothing,” the child cried, telling Winfrey that it was a dream come true. “I’m just proud of myself,” he told her through tears, and it seemed like he meant survival, not just fame.

There’s a misconception that people love to watch singing competitions because they discover stars—that’s partly true but mostly wrong. For a lot of viewers, the appeal of these shows, from Star Search to The Voice , is the promise of recognition—not necessarily in the way of fame but in the way of being perceived completely, in the way of being seen. This is why people still watch American Idol , even if it hasn’t given us a Kelly Clarkson in years, and why people still watch The Voice , despite the fact that they’ve never furnished a mainstream star.

And it’s what made people root for 16-year-old Jake Zyrus on Oprah , the promise that one might overcome a mercilessly punishing life, that it might even prepare you for your moment.

In 2009, Zyrus was introduced to Whitney Houston, the woman he had studied for so long, by Foster. Before he could say anything, Houston said, “I know who you are. You sing my songs better than me.” She hugged the teenager and Zyrus burst into tears.

Houston was on the promo tour for her final studio album, I Look To You , when they met. “I remember watching her and thinking, it’s like looking in the mirror,” says Zyrus. “Looking at her body language, I knew that she was having anxiety, she was shaking. And in my head, it’s like, you’re fucking Whitney Houston, you know? That humbled me so much.”

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In 2017, while undergoing top surgery, Zyrus unconsciously announced himself with a Lady Gaga song. Sedated with anaesthesia, he was told that he started singing the lyrics to “Born This Way,” Gaga’s queer call to arms. “‘I’m beautiful in my way ‘cause God makes no mistakes, I’m on the right track, baby, I was born this way…’ I literally don’t remember it but they said I started singing it,” he says, laughing. “That’s going to be a core memory for me.”

The years after his breakthrough saw Zyrus dealing with personal tragedy. His estranged father was murdered in October 2011. At the same time, his relationship with his mother was beginning to crumble. Beyond that, he was also finding himself, coming out as a lesbian in 2013 before eventually coming out as a trans man in 2017.

Grappling with one’s identity and sexuality is tough, but all the more when you’re growing up in the public eye. Before coming out, Zyrus attempted to take his own life three times.

After the third attempt, while on tour in Singapore with David Foster, he woke up to find his mentor by his side. Foster was worried and told him that he didn’t have to perform that evening. But Zyrus insisted and found that, despite never telling his mentor what was on his mind, he seemed to understand.

“He knew that I was having a hard time,” Zyrus has said in interviews. “I remember, just a small gesture from him, telling me, ‘You know what? For tonight, you don’t have to wear a dress.” That was the first time he was able to present himself in the way he wanted.

“Ignorantly, it never occurred to me before,” Foster says now. “We never could figure out why Jake wasn’t comfortable in dresses… It must be torture to be in the wrong body.”

“I’m still trying to survive today,” Zyrus tells me. “I think with everything that happened to me, childhood trauma and all that, sometimes it really still gets to my head.” Zyrus is in therapy but admits that years of being in the closet has made it difficult for him to open up. “[For a lot of queer people,] it becomes a part of your life to hide. Sometimes, even your feelings get dragged into the closet because they were with you all along—how you’re really feeling, your freedom, everything.”

It’s easy to forget that in a pre-Bruno Mars world, Jake Zyrus was the great Filipino hope for pop superstardom. And by transitioning and relinquishing that superhuman vocal range, he abdicated from a role he worked toward despite never fully understanding the cost.

“The beginning of my transition, I couldn’t even do falsettos, because my voice was adjusting,” Zyrus says. “I was so nervous because as a singer, when you’re hoarse or whatever, that’s your friend right there.” But as he’s grown comfortable with his new range, Zyrus has gotten his confidence back. “I get to play around with my voice again.”

He’s rediscovering dance, too. “As Charice, I used to dance—I loved doing that and for a while I got insecure because I wasn’t comfortable in my own body,” he says. “I’m trying to build back my pop side.”

“If I’m being honest , it does feel like I’m home when I’m in America,” Zyrus tells me. “It’s not perfect—I still experience shitty moments with people here—but I still feel more accepted, you know? And I guess that’s the sad part because the Philippines will always be my home.”

He pauses. “But we can’t deny that most Filipinos just tolerate, you know what I’m saying? Tolerate rather than accept.”

“I don’t want to sound ungrateful and compare, because there is progress too,” he continues. “But we have to open our eyes. There’s still so much discrimination… Sometimes, it really makes you think about how we’re moving forward but at the same time, we’re not really moving.”

A 2019 Pew Research study found that 73 percent of all Filipinos think “homosexuality should be accepted by society,” higher than Asian countries like Japan, South Korea and India. But while the Philippines is a nation known for its embrace of the LGBTQIA+ community, it’s also the same country that let a U.S. Marine who killed a transgender Filipino woman fly back to America as a free man. In the same way, the country’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression Equality Bill, which would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, has been pending a second reading in the senate since 2020 .

“It is oftentimes said that the Philippines is very accepting of the LGBTQ+ community,” says Congresswoman Geraldine Roman, the first transgender politician elected in the Philippines and one of the Bill’s champions. “But I believe that more than being accepting, it is merely tolerant. It allows LGBTQ+ people to exist but does not want to recognize their existence officially and legally in the law, as well as their inherent rights as Filipino citizens and human beings.”

And it’s true that back home, to a lot of people, Zyrus has gone from golden child to pop culture curio, and that the conversation has moved on from his music. But he’s also become a hero—at least to young people—and it’s not hard to see him being celebrated by history as a pioneer.

“I get messages saying that because of me, they found the courage to come out,” he says. “Even my situation with my family, the abuse—I was sexually molested when I was a kid—I get messages saying that they also had those experiences. Those messages become my inspiration… It makes me feel really proud of them and it makes me feel really humbled that this is my purpose.”

“Someday when I have my kids and all, I can’t wait to tell them that this was my journey,” he says. “Like, ‘This is what happened.’ That will be my biggest achievement in life.”

Zyrus currently resides in California and is plotting a U.S. tour. “I’m very excited because it’ll feel like the first time, being onstage as who I am. It’s a different feeling.”

“I just want to sing for people,” he continues. “My dream is that someday, they’ll say, yeah, the music is still there. Whether it’s Charice or Jake Zyrus, I’m a singer.”

Like other teen stars who’ve had to rebuild as adults, Zyrus seems to understand that the cards are stacked against him but that he’s still got enough talent and enough time to build something he can be proud of.

“God has given me this,” he laughs, pointing at his perennial baby face. “I’m 30 but I still look 12. I’d like to take advantage of that.”

The devoted, at least, are listening. Angela, a fan of over 10 years, took a three-and-a-half bus from Rhode Island in order to watch him sing two songs at D’Haven.

“I’ve been with him through it all, through the transition, through the ups and downs,” says Angela, who’s seen Zyrus perform everywhere from Hawaii to Los Angeles. “I used to be a Chaster,” she says, referring to the name for Charice fans. “Now I’m a Jakester.”

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IN PHOTOS: Jake Zyrus electrifies the stage in his first-ever concert, “I Am Jake Zyrus”

jake zyrus tour

  • 13 October, 2017
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When the world first heard of Jake Zyrus, there were mixed reactions. Some disagreed with his decision to transition; while others applauded his bravery in doing so.  But after his stint at the Music Museum, everyone could inevitably agree that whatever your opinion may be regarding Zyrus’s sexuality, one thing’s for sure — he’s still one of the greatest singers of this generation!

jake zyrus tour

Last October 6, Jake Zyrus held his first-ever concert, entitled “I Am Jake Zyrus” to a crowd of eager fans in the Music Museum. There, the singer formerly introduces himself as Jake Zyrus and ultimately leaves his heart onstage after every performance. Plus, it may have helped that he had a few stellar artists in the house to really up-the-ante and make this concert one to remember!

And in case you missed the concert or just want to reminisce on the epicness of it all, here are some highlights we think you’ll enjoy:

jake zyrus tour

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Francesca militar.

IN PHOTOS: Jake Zyrus electrifies the stage in his first-ever concert, “I Am Jake Zyrus”

13 Reasons why you should #KeepGoing

IN PHOTOS: Jake Zyrus electrifies the stage in his first-ever concert, “I Am Jake Zyrus”

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‘I Am Jake Zyrus’ Concert Reveals Supporting Acts

The "I Am Jake Zyrus" concert will also feature Klarisse, KZ Tandingan, Young JV and BoybandPH on the Music Museum stage Oct. 6.

By Billboard Philippines

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Jake Zyrus

The supporting acts for <a href=”/articles/columns/pop/7841077/jake-zyrus-charice-pempengco-name-change”> Jake Zyrus </a>’ first major concert have been revealed.

On Oct. 6, Star Music artists Klarisse , KZ Tandingan , Young JV and BoybandPH will be sharing the Music Museum stage with the “Hiling” singer.

I Am Jake Zyrus is set to showcase songs the star of the night has been longing to perform onstage, celebrating his freedom since coming out as a trans man. 

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“I am so excited about this concert because I will be able to finally express my real self. Another thing that gets me pumped is the kind of music I will be performing,” Jake revealed to <a href=”http://pop.inquirer.net/2017/07/jake-zyrus-holds-first-concert-music-museum” target=”_blank”> Inquirer </a>. “This concert will also be perfect for those who want to celebrate themselves,'” he added.

Tickets and VIP meet-and-greet passes are available at <a href=”https://www.ticketworld.com.ph/Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=35AD9B64-6B74-481D-9E9B-30912BA40ED9&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::context_id=6C6794B4-620C-45C8-B8BB-947349EFCCC4″ target=”_blank”>Ticketworld</a>.

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jake zyrus tour

  • Cybersmile News

Jake Zyrus To Perform Live Concert In Support Of Cybersmile

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Jake Zyrus is returning to the limelight after transitioning from his former self, Charice Pempengco. The event will be streamed live from the Philippines and will raise money for Cybersmile.

After taking the world by storm as Charice Pempengco, Official Cybersmile Ambassador  Jake Zyrus is making a return to the music scene. Jake will be performing a live-streamed concert from the Philippines on December 9th – in support of The Cybersmile Foundation.

Jake has personally experienced online abuse and negativity throughout his career, but has always tried to maintain a positive self-image while continuing to be a role model to others – encouraging people to love and celebrate themselves for who they are. With Jake’s personal journey to true self-realization, he has drawn the attention of international media and wants to use this attention for social good by working with Cybersmile to create a truly inclusive internet, where everybody feels free to express themselves without fear of judgement, abuse or ridicule.

“Cyberbullying can take away someone’s future. Words are powerful, words can hurt, words can kill. Do not be the cause of someone’s depression, or worse, suicide. Be kind to each other, respect each other, LOVE each other.”

Jake Zyrus, Official Cybersmile Ambassador

With cyberbullying and online harassment being such a prevalent issue around the world, Jake’s commitment to promoting a kinder, more inclusive internet will reach huge numbers of vulnerable internet users, in need of advice, support and encouragement.

“We are very grateful that Jake has chosen to raise funds for Cybersmile through his live-stream on December 9th. It is an absolute honor to work with Jake in making the internet more diverse and inclusive, and these funds will contribute to our work together – enabling Cybersmile to provide crucial support to vulnerable internet users around the world.”

Scott Freeman, CEO, The Cybersmile Foundation

Jake has a truly global audience, and has been interviewed by some of the biggest presenters in showbiz including Oprah and Ellen DeGeneres – he once took to the stage with Justin Bieber on Oprah and signed a joint pledge to encourage young people to drive safely.

The concert will be streamed live starting from 8pm PHT on Friday December 9th, access to the live-stream can be purchased through Jake’s website – fans will also be able to attend the performance at the Historia Boutique Bar and Restaurant, Quezon City in an intimate setting. To find out more about the event, purchase access to the stream and request tickets for the live event – visit  iamjakezyrus.com .

If you are affected by any kind of bullying, abuse or negativity online – we can help. Visit our Help Center or find out the various ways we can help you through our Total Access Support service. For further information about Cybersmile and the work we do, please explore the following suggestions.

  • Who Are Cybersmile?
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  • Claire’s Raise Over $57000 For Cybersmile During Bullying Prevention Month Campaign
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Are you going to tune in to the live-steam, or attending the concert? Tweet us @CybersmileHQ .

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I don’t think people understand how important this group is until they have been or are being cyberbullied. Cybersmile is so important, they teach people to be confident and to love themselves for who they are. They stop people feeling ashamed of themselves. If they need any more advocates they can sign me up! Nothing anyone can say will break…

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Jake Zyrus’ first concert is tonight!

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This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Jake Zyrus’ first concert is tonight!

MANILA, Philippines – Jake Zyrus has been in the headlines for a few months now – coming out as a trans man , his new relationship , and the misunderstanding with his mom . But tonight, Friday, October 6, it will all be about the music as Jake performs at the Music Museum in a concert called I am Jake Zyrus .

Really excited for this! See u guys! Ticket link on my bio. 🙂 A post shared by Jake Zyrus (@jakezyrusmusic) on Sep 25, 2017 at 8:49am PDT

Jake says that when it comes music, he’s very much open to singing all types of genres in the concert.

“[Try]  ko gawan ng mga versions ng mga gusto kong kanta… May alternative, may pop, may ballad, dance. So lahat talaga ma-expect nila sa concert, which sobra akong excited kasi   sa totoo lang, syempre some of the songs, yes I did it before pero iba kasi ngayon. may different sa boses, yung confidence iba ,” Jake said.

(I will try to do version of the songs I like…there’s alternative, there’s pop, there’s ballad, dance. So they (the audience) will expect everything in the concert, which I’m so excited about because of course, some of the songs, I did before but it’s very different now – different voice, the confidence, everything. )

Jake also said that when it comes to music, he’s not very choosy and would like to try everything. 

“ Ang na-realize ko [is] na I’m not a singer na hindi namimili ng genre, na ang gusto ko na music, music lang para sa akin. Lahat gusto kong gawan ng version kung may arrangement ako na maisip gagawin ko and I don’t want to put any labels on it yung genre na gusto kong gawin.”

(What I realized is I’m not a singer who does not choose a genre, that the music I like is simply music for me. I want to do everything, I want to do my own version, if I have an arrangement, I ‘ll do it and I don’t want to put labels on the genre I want to do.)

“I don’t [choose] any genre. Lahat talaga gusto kong kinakanta (I really like to sing everything) .”

As for the much anticipated duet with “Charice,” Jake said: “ S yempre surprise, pero baka naman mag expect sila na hatiin ko yung katawan ko. Ginawan namin ng paraan (Of course it’s a surprise, but they might expect me to divide my body. We found a way)…  I think it would be cool.”

Since coming out as a trans man, Jake has received his share of criticism and online bashing.  

“ Kasi expected ko naman syempre, alam naman natin na when you do anything, some things in your life, may masasabi ang mga tao.Ang importante sa akin ngayon nakikita ko, nararamdaman ko yung mga tao na sumusuporta, yung mga taong tumatanggap, and again since sinabi ko sa mundo na trangender ako, hindi na tumatalab yung ibang negative. Kasi iyon yung matagal kong sinasabi na I did things right. And ayoko na masira iyon. Iyon ang sinabi ko sa sarili ko ,” he said. 

(I expected it of course that some things you do in your life, people will always have something to say. What’s important for me is, as I see it, I feel the people who are supporting me, those who accept me, and again, since I told the world I was a transgender, the other negative thoughts did not affect me.  Because, as I said before, I did things right. And I don’t want that to break that. That’s what I told myself.) – Rappler.com

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Everything You Need to Know About Singer Jake Zyrus, Formerly Charice Pempengco

The Filipino singer and Glee guest star formerly known as Charice Pempengco now goes by the new name, Jake Zyrus.

Zyrus, 25, debuted the new moniker on Twitter and Instagram Sunday — almost three years after revealing to Oprah Winfrey that “my soul is male.”

Since rising to international stardom in late 2007, the Tagaytay native became the first Asian solo singer in history to land in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 albums chart with the release of 2010’s Charice , which debuted at No. 8.

Since the episode of Winfrey’s Where Are They Now? aired in October 2014, Zyrus has kept a low-profile — until now.

Here are six things you need to know about Jake Zyrus:

1. A star’s beginning: The reality TV show circuit

Zyrus’ mom Raquel discovered her child’s singing abilities when her eldest sang a big-ballad rendition of “Happy Birthday” at age 4. “My mom would do anything for me and my brother Carl,” Zyrus told USA Today in October 2010.

Three years later, at age 7, Zyrus started competing in local singing contests, entering nearly a hundred competitions before eventually earning a spot in 2005 on Little Big Star , a kid-oriented Filipino talent show loosely based on American Idol . “It was my idea. We didn’t have much money and I wanted to help,” Zyrus recalled.

A third place finish with a rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” may not have been the ultimate goal, but the exposure caught the eyes of a fan, who uploaded the Little Big Star performance on YouTube. “It got like a million hits. That’s why I got discovered for a Korean talent show,” Zyrus explained to the New York Daily News in May 2010.

Immense popularity on YouTube led to multiple appearances on the South Korean talent show Star King , London’s The Paul O’Grady Show , and Zyrus’ American TV debut in December 2007 on Ellen DeGeneres ‘ NBC daytime talk show.

2. Rise to fame under the tutelage of Oprah and David Foster

Following the massive success of Charice in May 2008 (it went platinum in 2009), Zyrus was invited to perform on The Oprah Winfrey Show for the episode titled “World’s Smartest Kids” and belted out Houston’s “I Have Nothing.”

“One of the things I love most about Charice is that no matter what obstacles she’s faced in her life, she’s never given up on her dream of something better,” Oprah said at the time .

After taping the episode, one phone call from Oprah to Grammy-winning record producer David Foster changed the course of Zyrus’ career. Instead of flying back to the Philippines, Oprah producers pulled the young talent off the plane to bring Zyrus back to Harpo Studios, where Oprah and Foster discussed how they could help launch a new singing sensation.

Zyrus ended the year by meeting Josh Groban and Michael Bublé, and even singing with Foster in Las Vegas, with Andrea Bocelli in the Tuscan countryside and with Céline Dion at Madison Square Garden.

On Glee ‘s second season (which aired in September 2010), Zyrus, 19, played Sunshine Corazon — a talented young singer and foreign exchange student who joins New Directions and quickly develops a rivalry with Rachel Berry ( Lea Michele ).

Transferring to compete in rival glee club Vocal Adrenaline (and then, eventually, back to New Directions), Corazon appeared in three episodes of the show. Covers included “ Telephone ,” “ Listen ,’ and “ All By Myself .”

Zyrus’ character’s final episode on Glee was in the season finale, when Sunshine and Rachel made amends with their rivalry.

4. Estranged father fatally stabbed

In 2011, Zyrus’ father, Ricky Pempengco , was stabbed to death in the Philippines while shopping in San Pedro township where he bumped into Angel Capili, who allegedly stabbed Pembengco in the chest and back with an ice pick, according to police. He was 40.

In her 2008 interview with Oprah, Zyrus recalled threats and violence between family members, specifically at age 3, when an argument escalated and Ricky pointed a shotgun at mom Raquel. “My dad was about to shoot my mom, and I couldn’t do anything,” Zyrus told Oprah .

After that incident, Charice and Raquel escaped. “We left my dad, and after that, I never saw him and I don’t want to see him,” Zyrus shared.

After learning of his death, however, Zyrus canceled a scheduled performance in Singapore to fly back to the Philippines and be with her family after the tragedy.

FROM PEN: Trans Activist Juliet Evancho Opens Up About Her Sex Reassignment Surgery

5. Coming out

After becoming a familiar face on The X-Factor , Asia’s Got Talent , and Good Morning America, among others, Zyrus came out as a lesbian in 2013 during an interview with Filipino talk show host Boy Abunda on The Buzz.

“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,” Zyrus said. “I love myself, that’s why I’m able to do this.”

In 2014, Zyrus appeared on an episode of Winfrey’s Where Are They Now — confronting rumors of a gender transition head-on.

“I’m not going to go through that stage where I change everything,” Zyrus said at the time. “I’ll cut my hair and wear boy clothes and everything, but that’s all.”

Gender and sexuality issues were things Zyrus contemplated from a very young age. “I knew when I was 5,” Zyrus said. “Then, when I was 10, I was like, ‘Oh, that’s it, I’m gay.’”

RELATED VIDEO: Glee Star Charice Pempengco Changes Name to Jake Zyrus After Revealing ‘My Soul Is Male’

6. Present day: A much happier place

In a recent interview with CNN Philippines , Zyrus described a simpler life away from much of the fanfare.

“He has swapped his pigtails for a slick clean cut, and his ball gowns for button ups and jeans,” the profile described Zyrus. “He scrapped his repertoire of Whitney Houston and Celine Dion. In their place, he plugged in Kurt Cobain and Freddie Mercury.”

Zyrus is now a songwriter full-time with the hopes of creating original songs and be an activist for Filipino LGBT members.

“I stand up for myself, how I stand amid a lot of criticism without breaking down,” Zyrus remarked.

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Jake Zyrus

  • Contact info

Jake Zyrus in Maalaala Mo Kaya (1991)

  • Malia (as Charice)

Justin Long, Jesse McCartney, and Matthew Gray Gubler in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009)

  • Charice Pempengco (as Charice Pempengco)

Jane Lynch, Lea Michele, Naya Rivera, Mark Salling, Matthew Morrison, Cory Monteith, Dianna Agron, Kevin McHale, Chris Colfer, Jenna Ushkowitz, Amber Riley, and Heather Elizabeth Morris in Glee (2009)

  • Sunshine Corazon (as Charice)
  • 2010–2011 • 3 eps

Final Fantasy XIII-2 (2011)

  • Soundtrack ("New World")

Yaru Onna - She's a Killer (2018)

  • (as Charice)

Charo Santos-Concio in Maalaala Mo Kaya (1991)

  • Charice Pempengco

Mel Tiangco in Magpakailanman (2012)

  • Charice (as Charice Pempengco)

Zaijian Jaranilla in May bukas pa (2009)

  • Choir (as Charisse Pempengco)

Yuri Lowenthal and Laura Bailey in The Swan Princess: A Royal Family Tale (2014)

  • performer: "Right Where I Belong"

The Voice of the Philippines (2013)

  • performer: "Locked Out of Heaven"
  • performer: "Holly Holy" (as Charice)

The X Factor Philippines (2012)

  • performer: "Pyramid", "If I Never Sing Another Song", "The Way You Look Tonight"
  • performer: "All by Myself"
  • performer: "As Long as You're There" (uncredited)
  • performer: "No One"
  • performer: "Always You"

Here Comes the Boom

Personal details

  • 4′ 9″ (1.45 m)
  • May 10 , 1992
  • Cabuyao, Philippines
  • Parents Raquel Pempengco
  • Carl Pempengco (Sibling)

Did you know

  • Trivia His former former nickname at home is Ming, which is a Filipino colloquial term for cat. Zyrus's mom calls him that because when he was little, he loved cats but couldn't keep one because he's allergic.
  • Quotes There were times when you were singing, sometimes there'd be other contestants who really didn't like you. They would pull the plug on the microphone, pay off the DJ to ruin the song, to make the song skip.
  • Trademark Petite frame
  • How old is Jake Zyrus?
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I've seen David Foster on PBS and was acquainted with is music. His concert was a huge surprise! He connected with the audience and kept us wanting more. The diversity of the show included two volunteers from the audience who auditioned for 30 seconds (there were rules). One of the two was a little boy who was 8 who stole the show. The singers who sang for David were incredible. The Facetime appearance by Josh Grobin was awesome. David is so talented. He shared with us his career highlights. An incredibly, memorable time spent watching him perform. What an artist.

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David Foster is not due to play near your location currently - but they are scheduled to play 13 concerts across 1 country in 2024-2025. View all concerts.

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2024 Mexico Open leaderboard, grades: Jake Knapp fends off Sami Valimaki for first career PGA Tour title

Knapp did just enough to claim his maiden victory sunday in mexico.

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Sunday at the 2024 Mexico Open was another reminder that nothing is given on the PGA Tour. In just his ninth PGA Tour start, 29-year-old rookie Jake Knapp reigned supreme at 19 under for a two-stroke victory over fellow rookie Sami Valimaki at Vidanta Vallarta. With his win, Knapp secured playing privileges on the PGA Tour for the next two years, access to signature events for the remainder of 2024, invitations into the Players Championship and the Masters and 500 FedEx Cup points. To put it more briefly, Knapp's performance this week in Mexico has changed his life.

The final round at Vidanta Vallarta had all the makings of a coronation. Knapp entered the day with a commanding four-stroke lead with only four players within seven of his 54-hole pace. He could do no wrong across the first three rounds after ranking first in strokes gained tee to green, third in strokes gained off the tee and first in strokes gained approach. After an 11-birdie performance Saturday, Knapp faced the task of following up a great round with another.

The great round would not materialize, however, as Knapp fought his swing from the onset. A case of the lefts plagued the smooth-swinging right hander, and for the first time all week he appeared uncomfortable. 

"I didn't necessarily have my best stuff today that's for sure," said Knapp. "I knew it was going to be nerve-racking. I knew it was going to be tough. I told Mike [his caddie] after those first three holes that was as bad as we could have played and we still got a two-shot lead so just tried to settle in. It would have been nice to hit driver better and hit it a little bit better but was super pumped on how I played the finishing stretch and just grinded it out."

Bogeys on two of the first three holes combined with a well-time birdie from Valimaki on the par-4 4th cut Knapp's edge to one. Three holes later and the lead was erased completely when the young Finn made eagle on the drivable par-4 7th and Knapp did well to keep pace with a birdie of his own. Pars were exchanged to round out the outward half before a turbulent second nine crowned a champion.

Needed it, got it. @KnappTime_LTD bounces back with a birdie after starting the day 2-over @MexicoOpenGolf . pic.twitter.com/jyQpOiWYEc — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 25, 2024

Valimaki was the first to blink after the 25-year-old found water off the tee on the difficult 10th. A good bogey kept him within one stroke of Knapp, and he'd pull even once again a couple holes later when he successfully got up-and-down for birdie on the par-5 12th and Knapp did not.

That would be the last of Valimaki sharing the top spot on the leaderboard as short-game woes proved to be his undoing. A bogey on the 13th from the greenside bunker was followed by a poor chip on the par-5 14th. While Valimaki let a scoring chance pass him by, Knapp did not this time by playing a low spinner from in front of the green for his second birdie of the day to push his lead out to two.

That was all the breathing room Knapp needed. Three straight pars put the tournament on ice and allowed for a (relatively) stress-free stroll up the 18th. Fighting competitors and his swing all day, Knapp became the first player since tracking began in 1983 to hit just two fairways in his final round to win on the PGA Tour .

It may not have been pretty and it was certainly not as easy as he may have envisioned, but a win is a win and Jake Knapp can forever call himself a winner on the PGA Tour. Grade: A+

Here are the grades for the rest of the leaderboard at the 2024 Mexico Open

2. Sami Valimaki (-17):  Valimaki experienced a dream start as converted scoring chances were met with struggles from Knapp. He erased a four-stroke deficit in seven holes and looked to be on his way to a maiden title. The water ball on No. 10 wasn't great, but it will be the short-game shots on 13 and 14 that Valimaki will wish he had back. Relatively straight forward, Valimaki was unable to get up-and-down in both instances and was ultimately the difference between a victory and a runner-up performance. Grade: A

297 yards to a few feet! 🚀 Full send from @Sami_Valimaki who's closest of the day on the par-4 7th @MexicoOpenGolf . pic.twitter.com/5unklhnjUr — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 25, 2024

T3. Stephan Jaeger (-14): Jaeger has found a nice comfort level around Vidanta Vallarta and put together yet another quality outing on the par 71. Collecting his third straight top 20 in this tournament, the German improved on prior finishes thanks to a final-round 65 to push his name up the leaderboard. It marks Jaeger's second top-three finish of the young season as he aims to match his consistency with upside winning potential. Grade: A-

T13. Tony Finau (-11): The defending champion and clear class of the field was a few swings away from contending in this tournament. Some sloppiness off the tee combined with some middling putting were ultimately Finau's downfall. The good news for the 34-year-old is his iron play continued to be sharp and his putting, while middling, was actually improved as he made a slight change to his setup on the greens. Grade: B

Tony Finau takes a shortcut through the palm trees and over the TV tower to give himself a look at eagle on 18. 💪👀 📺: Golf Channel & @peacock | @MexicoOpenGolf pic.twitter.com/4aLGACcLk6 — Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) February 23, 2024

T18. Keith Mitchell (-10):  The big-hitting right hander got off to a slow start but battled back nicely to cash a top-20 finish. The ball-striking was exquisite from Mitchell as he ranked fifth in strokes gained tee to green, ninth in strokes gained off the tee and second in strokes gained approach. This didn't come out of nowhere. Mitchell has hit the ball beautifully on the West Coast and major momentum rolling into the Florida Swing and the Cognizant Classic, where he claimed his lone PGA Tour title in 2019.  Grade: B

T52. Nicolai Højgaard (-4): Expectations were high for the young Dane, but he was never able to really find his groove. Højgaard drove the ball well, but the positives stop there. Since finishing runner-up to Matthieu Pavon at the Famers Insurance Open, the 22-year-old has struggled a smidge with his game. This should be expected for a PGA Tour rookie, even one like Højgaard who has already compiled an impressive résumé with DP World Tour wins and a victorious Ryder Cup appearance. Grade: D

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Here’s Why We’re Replaying Jake Zyrus’s Version of “Under the Influence”

Hannah Dimaano

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Filipino singer Jake Zyrus has put his own spin on Chris Brown’s “Under the Influence” in his latest song cover. Confidently belting his powerful vocals, the video has gotten quite a wide traction in social media.

Jake Zyrus releases cover of Chris Brown’s Viral Smash

Jake Zyrus, formerly known as Charice Pempengco prior to his gender transition, has released his cover of the TikTok famous song on October 5, 2022. With a dark long couch and sepia-toned photographs as background, the singer showed off his low and high notes.

Zyrus is obviously feeling the music based on his gestures. The way he sang the sensual lyrics of the song was cozy, perfectly complementing the vibe of the production.

“Under the Influence” is the third track in Chris Brown’s album Indigo, which was released back in 2019. The song has gained immense attention this year after its repeated use in TikTok. 

Internet Lauds him for his Unique Twist to the Song

The original song is definitely a bop, but Jake Zyrus ’s version is a cool treat to fans. On social media, fans have expressed how proud they are to the singer.

“Incredible! Your voice is phenomenal!” a fan wrote.

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Another one commented saying that R&B suit his voice the best, while some wished that he would be given a big break once again.

“YES!!YOU GO JAKE!!THAT IS IT R&B FEEL AND THE CHORDS MADE IT HOME!” another one wrote.

Beyond doubt, the singer has given justice to Chris Brown’s viral hit. In less than 24 hours, his cover already reached 340,000 views on TikTok and 26,000 views on Instagram.

What has Jake Zyrus been up to now?

Jake Zyrus is slowly but surely rebuilding his career after he has reintroduced himself as a transgender man in 2017. When he transitioned, several were shocked, even disappointed that he altered his original voice. Nevertheless, he seemed more comfortable with his body now, and that’s what ultimately matters.

At present, he has been releasing song covers and collaborating with musicians in the Philippines. Last September, he released a cover of “Glimpse of Us ” by Joji with Cheesa, a Filipino artist. He also released his version of The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber’s “Stay” last week.

In a GQ Magazine feature , Jake Zyrus shared his transition story to inspire kids and victims of sexual abuse to have courage like him.

“I just want to sing for people,” he said. “My dream is that someday, they’ll say, yeah, the music is still there. Whether it’s Charice or Jake Zyrus, I’m a singer.”

The former X Factor Philippines judge currently resides in California and is now planning for a tour in the United States. Fans are happy to see his return to the limelight making national headlines.

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Why newly-minted TOUR winner Jake Knapp's childhood idol was Luke Donald

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When it comes to playing style, Jake Knapp and Luke Donald don’t seem to go together.

Yet as a junior golfer in Southern California, Knapp strived to emulate Donald.

Knapp is well known for his effortless power, but that wasn’t always the case. He didn’t hit his growth spurt into his mid-teens, and he relished a more grinder-type approach to the game. The Mexico Open at Vidanta winner has been cast as a new-age power player, and he is, but there’s more than meets the eye.

Hence his evolution in the game wasn’t fueled by only power players. It was Donald who caught his eye, the Englishman who rose to world No. 1 by relishing the pursuit of the game’s finer edges, shaving strokes by staying in position and cleaning up around the greens.

“Growing up, I was super undersized as a kid, and I didn't grow until like my junior year in high school,” Knapp said after Thursday’s opening-round 68 at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches. “At the time (Donald) was around world No. 1 and just an insanely good short game, really good at putting, so I tried to take after his game and focus on those two things.”

(This anecdote’s serendipity: The Cognizant Classic marks Donald’s debut as an NBC guest analyst.)

Jake Knapp fights to win first PGA TOUR title at Mexico Open

In the past few days, Knapp’s story has made the rounds across the golf and sports worlds, deservedly so. After six years of struggling to prove himself at the game’s lower levels, he took a job as a nightclub bouncer for nine months to supplement his income into the 2022 PGA TOUR Canada season. He’s a lifelong Anaheim Ducks fan who generated a partnership with the hockey team from a chance nine-hole pairing with a club executive, and he gleaned insights from a mental coach whom he met while working security at a wedding. Knapp embraces life’s edges to maximize his potential – as Donald did by reaching world No. 1 despite perennially ranking near the TOUR’s bottom in driving distance.

Knapp is paired with world No. 2 Rory McIlroy for the first two rounds at this week’s Cognizant Classic, and McIlroy was impressed Thursday with what he saw.

“He could definitely be a star,” McIlroy said afterward. “It looks like he's got the full package. He's obviously got the speed. He can control that speed pretty well. He hit some beautiful shots out there today. Looks like his short game is pretty good.

Rory McIlroy and Jake Knapp during the first round of Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches. (Ben Jared/PGA TOUR)

Rory McIlroy and Jake Knapp during the first round of Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches. (Ben Jared/PGA TOUR)

Rory McIlroy and Jake Knapp during the first round of Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches. (Ben Jared/PGA TOUR)

“He's got charisma and … we had a good chat out there for a lot of the round. He's in good shape, and … if he keeps playing the way he is, he's the full package. He could be a superstar out here for sure.”

Perhaps a progression toward world No. 1, like his childhood hero, is underway.

Kevin Prise is an associate editor for the PGA TOUR. He is on a lifelong quest to break 80 on a course that exceeds 6,000 yards and to see the Buffalo Bills win a Super Bowl. Follow Kevin Prise on Twitter .

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Jake Zyrus: Size of concert venue no longer matters to me

jake zyrus tour

Jake Zyrus will celebrate his 26th birthday during his coming 10th anniversary concert, “Music & Me,” on May 25 at the SM Skydome—a considerably smaller venue than the ones where he held court in the past, during the peak of his popularity as Charice.

But it’s a sensible choice for Jake, who—in a way—sees himself these days as someone just starting out again after deciding to become a trans man. “Real talk lang. Of course, we will go for something more realistic,” the singer told the Inquirer at a recent press conference.

“The size of a venue doesn’t matter to me as much anymore,” Jake insisted. “To be honest, singing at bigger places actually makes me more nervous and stressed.”

‘A very personal event’

Because the concert is “a very personal” event, Jake would like to feel closer to his fans, which can be achieved easier in a more intimate setting.

“I want the fans to be near me as much as possible. I want to see their reactions, which I’m quite sensitive to—I know when they’re having a good time or not listening,” Jake quipped, adding that his show will be his birthday gift to all his loyal supporters, so it was important to keep things accessible for them.

“I was happy and excited to hear that a lot of my fans will be able to attend,” he added.

The repertoire, Jake related, will reflect the experimenting he has been doing with his deeper voice. As of late, he has been dabbling in jazz, standards and ballads, and listening to such artists as Josh Groban, Martin Nievera and Frank Sinatra.

But the one artist Jake relates to the most at the moment is Canadian singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes, whose new single, the rock ballad “In My Blood,” touches on his anxiety disorder.

“He’s one of my pegs…And I love the song because Shawn bares his weaknesses and vulnerabilities in it. But still, the message is positive, about not giving up,” Jake related. “So, I thought, I can’t not have this song on my set list.”

Finally fully comfortable

While he has always enjoyed his deepened, raspier tone, it was only recently that Jake finally felt fully comfortable in his body.

During a beach trip in March, Jake uploaded on his Instagram page a photo of him topless while taking a dip in the sea. He knew the selfie would draw mixed reactions—mostly negative—but nonetheless, he posted it on social media, because he believed it would convey a strong, important message, particularly to members of the LGBTQ community.

“Not all people are accepting of people like us, so I knew I would be made fun of when I posted that photo…There are lots of talks of equality, that we’re one and together. But is it really the case? If a straight person can post a photo of him without a shirt on, why can’t I?” he said. “If we want to talk about equality, then we should start treating each other equally.”

“The negative comments didn’t matter, because I also saw people telling me that they were inspired by what I did and that I helped them ease their worries. As long as there are people who feel encouraged by what I do, then I will continue doing it,” he added.

And looking back, that moment on the beach was one of the happiest of his life, Jake recalled, and no amount of hurtful words could take that away from him.

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“I knew my body isn’t perfect. And it was my first time swimming in open waters, because the sea used to terrify me. But I said I will give it a try. And it turned out to be one of the happiest days of my life and I just had to share it,” Jake said.

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IMAGES

  1. Jake Zyrus Concert Tickets And Tour Dates

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  5. Jake Zyrus Concert Tickets And Tour Dates

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