Jake Zyrus

Jake Zyrus, previously known as Charice Pempengco, hails from Cabuyao, Philippines. His early life was marked by hardship, having witnessed domestic violence at the tender age of three, which led him, along with his mother and younger brother, to leave his father in search of a safer environment.

From the age of seven, Zyrus pursued a passion for music to help support his family. He encouraged his mother to teach him to sing and participated in numerous local singing competitions across the provinces of Laguna and Batangas. His talent shone through as he consistently won contests, often borrowing money for transportation and repaying his supporters after victories. Over time, he estimates he competed in 80 to 100 contests.

Zyrus's big break came in May 2008 when he appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," where his performance of "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston garnered a standing ovation. Oprah was so impressed that she invited him back, which ultimately led to a partnership with renowned music producer David Foster. This connection opened doors for Zyrus to share the stage with legends like Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli, perform at President Barack Obama's pre-inauguration events, and feature in the film "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel."

On May 11, 2010, just after turning 18, Zyrus debuted his international album "CHARICE," with the single "Pyramid" achieving significant success on the Billboard charts. In June 2017, Zyrus publicly came out as a trans man, embracing his identity and transitioning from Charice Pempengco to Jake Zyrus.