Charice sporting a "masculine look complete with short, dyed hair" (left).
Images from www.philstar.com, www.charicemusic.com/

“Yes, I’m a lesbian [Opo, tomboy po ako],” Charice Pempengco said on The Buzz, a Philippines television show that aired on June 2, confirming rumours about her sexual orientation since she was photographed holding hands with another woman, according to local media reports.

The AFP news agency had noted how the 21-year-old Filipino star had been "in the spotlight in the local press lately after she dramatically revamped her image - from a long-haired girl singing love songs to a more masculine look complete with short, dyed hair."

Charice had first shot to international fame with appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Oprah Winfrey's talk show in 2007 and 2008 before guest-starring on Glee as in 2010–2011 as Sunshine Corazon. In March 2012, she signed on to be one of the four judges of the Philippine version of The X Factor.

“Yes, I am a tomboy,” Charice said on Sunday, when asked if she was gay by The Buzz host Boy Abunda.

“Now, I feel free. I can go out of the house without fear and be certain that I’m not stepping on anybody’s toes.”

“To those who can accept me, thank you very much,” she said tearfully. “We are all equal, whether you are gay or straight.”

Charice was quoted as saying in a GMANetwork report last week: “But I’m thankful to my bashers, too. They make me so much stronger. I love them. I offer them peace. And I will forever be grateful to those who have loved me since Day One.”