Filipino singer and actress Charice Pempengco, who Oprah Winfrey once described as “the most talented girl in the world,” has announced that she is lesbian.
The 21-year-old actress, who played Sunshine Corazon on the TV series “Glee,” confirmed she is gay in an interview with “The Buzz,” which aired in her native Philippines over the weekend.
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Pempengco gained international fame after appearances on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” She has performed with Celine Dion, Andrea Bochelli and others. Last year, she served as a judge on “The X Factor Philippines.”
Pempengco also apologized to fans upset by the news.
“To those who can accept me, thank you very much. We are all equal, whether you are gay or straight… I am proud of who I am. I love myself, that is why I am doing this. To my fans who I know are disappointed – I know some of you will turn your back on me too – sorry. You know I am sincere. From the bottom of my heart, sorry.”
Pempengco appeared on “Glee” during the show’s second season, playing a foreign exchange student from the Philippines.
