Jake Zyrus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jake Zyrus
Jake Zyrus performing at the Barrio Fiesta in London, June 2016
Background information
Also known as	Charice Pempengco Charice (both; 2005–2017)
Born	(1992-05-10) May 10, 1992 (age 33) Cabuyao, Laguna, Philippines
Genres	Pop R&B dance
Occupation(s)	Singer television personality actor
Years active	2005–present
Labels	Star Warner Bros. 143 Reprise

Jake Zyrus (born May 10, 1992) is a famous Filipino singer and television star. For many years, he was known to the world by his former name, Charice Pempengco, or just Charice.

His powerful voice first got him noticed on TV shows in the Philippines. In 2007, his performances were uploaded to YouTube, and he quickly became an internet sensation. This led to an invitation to perform on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in the United States.

Soon after, he appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show. During the show, his hero, the superstar singer Céline Dion, surprised him with a video call. She invited him to sing a duet with her at Madison Square Garden in New York City. They sang "Because You Loved Me" together, a moment Zyrus dedicated to his mother.

Zyrus released his first international album, Charice, in 2010. It was a huge success, landing at number eight on the Billboard 200 chart. This made him the first solo singer from Asia to have an album in the top 10. His single "Pyramid" became a worldwide hit. He also joined the cast of the popular TV show Glee as the character Sunshine Corazon.

In 2017, he shared that he is a transgender man and changed his name to Jake Zyrus. He continues to make music and inspire people with his story.

Early Life and Discovery

Jake Zyrus was born in the Laguna province of the Philippines. He was raised by his mother, Racquel. To help his family, he started joining singing contests when he was only seven years old. He competed in nearly one hundred contests.

In 2005, Zyrus joined a TV talent show in the Philippines called Little Big Star. He was eliminated early but was brought back as a "wildcard" and made it to the finals, finishing in third place.

His big break came in 2007. A fan began posting videos of his performances on YouTube. The videos went viral, getting over 15 million views and turning Zyrus into an internet star.

Career

2007–2008: Becoming an International Star

The YouTube videos caught the attention of people all over the world. In 2007, Zyrus was invited to a South Korean TV show called Star King. Later that year, he flew to the United States to perform on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

His talent also impressed talk show host Oprah Winfrey. She invited him to her show in May 2008 and called famous music producer David Foster to help him. Zyrus began performing in concerts with Foster. One of his dreams came true when he performed with the famous Italian singer Andrea Bocelli.

In September 2008, Oprah called Zyrus "The Most Talented Girl in the World" on her show. This was when Céline Dion surprised him with the invitation to sing with her in New York. Their duet at Madison Square Garden was a massive success.

2009–2010: First Albums and Glee

Zyrus in 2010

In 2009, Zyrus performed at events for the inauguration of U.S. President Barack Obama. He also released his second album in the Philippines, My Inspiration, which became a platinum seller.

His first international single, "Note to God", was released in May 2009 after he performed it on Oprah's show. It did well on the Billboard music charts. Later that year, he appeared in the movie Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.

In May 2010, Zyrus released his first international album, Charice. It debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200, a historic achievement for an Asian artist. The album's hit single, "Pyramid", was a pop hit in many countries.

That same year, he joined the cast of the TV show Glee for its second season. He played Sunshine Corazon, a talented exchange student and a rival to the show's main character, Rachel Berry.

2011–2016: More Music and Tours

Zyrus in 2011

Zyrus continued to release new music. His 2011 single, "Before It Explodes", was written by pop star Bruno Mars. He released his next album, Infinity, in Japan that same year.

In 2012, he was a judge on the Philippine version of the TV show The X Factor. He also toured across Asia to promote his music.

He released another album in the Philippines, Chapter 10, in 2013. It featured his versions of popular modern songs. In 2015, he performed on Asia's Got Talent with his mentor, David Foster. His album Catharsis was released in 2016.

Personal Life

Zyrus' star, bearing his former name, in the Eastwood City Walk of Fame.

Zyrus was raised in the Iglesia ni Cristo faith but was baptized as a Roman Catholic in 2010.

In 2011, his father, Ricky Pempengco, tragically passed away in the Philippines. Zyrus cancelled a concert to be with his family. He shared on Twitter, "I loved him and I will still love him. He's still my Dad after all."

For many years, Zyrus explored his identity. In a 2014 interview with Oprah Winfrey, he said, "my soul is male."

In June 2017, he announced that he is a transgender man and adopted his new name, Jake Zyrus. He explained that he had undergone medical procedures to align his body with his identity. He said, "I am always thankful for the life of Charice... but that obviously belongs to her, it's not for me. I'm letting her go and be free."

Discography

Studio albums

• My Inspiration (2009)
• Charice (2010)
• Infinity (2011)
• Chapter 10 (2013)
• Catharsis (2016)

Extended plays

• Charice (2008)
• Grown-Up Christmas List (2010)
• Evolution (2019)

Filmography

Note: Before 2017, Zyrus was credited by his former name, "Charice."

Film

Television

See also

In Spanish: Jake Zyrus para niños