Czarina Faith Abuso

Rhap Salazar on coming out at the age of 22: ‘ I am happy where I am right now’

Article (news)

Rhea Manila Santos

Push Team

<p>After coming out to his family in 2019, singer Rhap Salazar admitted a lot has changed in life for the better since then. This year, the 28-year-old artist, who first joined showbiz at the age of 8 when he joined the ABS-CBN talent reality competition <em>Little Big Star </em>in 2005, is making his theatrical debut as part of the cast of the Sandbox Collective musical <em>Side Show</em> which opens next month. </p><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLaszetTaZY/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=450&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A51245.59999990463%2C%22ls%22%3A50899.89999985695%2C%22le%22%3A50906.39999985695%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="872" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>In an exclusive interview with <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/"><em><strong>PUSH ABS-CBN</strong></em></a>, the former child actor revealed just how much he is enjoying his life since going public with being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.</p><p>“I think I became more of myself. Like iba kasi yung acceptance mo sa sarili mo kapag in-embrace mo na siya fully. And I trusted my own timing and I received more love from people. The acceptance from my family and friends, and I get to be me,” he said. </p><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJbwkxKMUmV/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=450&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A51262.299999952316%2C%22ls%22%3A50899.89999985695%2C%22le%22%3A50906.39999985695%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1177" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2018/5/22/fresh-scoops/rhap-salazar-shares-the-secret-to-his-weight-loss-46527"><strong>READ: Rhap Salazar shares the secret to his weight loss journey this year </strong></a></div><p>Looking back on the past six years, Rhap shared that he has no regrets coming out during that time in his life where he was already in his 20s. “I think it was the perfect timing talaga. I do not rush things. I have my own process. I have my own timing and I am happy where I am right now,” he added. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2013/2/21/fresh-scoops/rhap-salazar-says-he-looks-forward-to-focusing-on--15420"><strong>READ: Rhap Salazar says he looks forward to focusing on his studies this year</strong></a></div><p>In celebration of Pride Month, the<em> Side Show</em> cast member shared his wish for the community. “My wish for the community is for us to be able to be more accepted and to be loved by people effortlessly, without thinking that you are like this, you are different, you dress differently, you are treated differently. We are all one. We are all human. And we deserve to love the people we love and we also want to be loved by the people we love. Happy Pride!”</p><p>Watch Rhap in <em>Side Show the musical</em> which starts its run on July 26 up to August 17, 2025 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater, Circuit Makati. The cast also includes Jon Santos, CJ Navato, Vien King, Reb Atadero, Tim Pavino, Tanya Manalang, Marynor Madamesila, Krystal Kane, Molly Langley, Joshua Cabiladas, Marvin Ong, and many more. Directed by Toff De Venecia and produced by The Sandbox Collective. </p>

<p>'Side Show The Musical' cast member Rhap Salazar looks back on how much his life has changed since coming out in 2019 and being accepted as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.</p>

'Side Show The Musical' cast member Rhap Salazar looks back on how much his life has changed since coming out in 2019 and being accepted as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.

EXCLUSIVE: Rhap Salazar on coming out at the age of 22: ‘ I am happy where I am right now’

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EXCLUSIVE: Rhap Salazar on coming out at the age of 22: ‘ I am happy where I am right now’

Rhea Manila Santos,

Push Team

Published Jun 28, 2025 05:52 PM PHT

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Rhap Salazar

LGBTQIA

Side Show

Sandbox Collective

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