Jake Zyrus Says He’s Set on a New Name Close to His Heart
JAKE ZYRUS – Singer-composer and proud transgender man Jake Zyrus has sparked buzz online after revealing the name he’s considering for his future legal identity—and fans didn’t see it coming.
Jake Zyrus revealed that despite publicly using the name Jake Zyrus for years, his legal name remains Charice Pempengco. He clarified that “Jake Zyrus is only my screen name. I have not changed my legal name just yet,” explaining that he has yet to complete the legal process of officially updating his name.
Jake shared that if he were to legally change it, he is strongly considering the name Charles—an identity he feels personally connected to because it reflects his past and present. “Pero kung babaguhin ko siya, I kinda like Charles because it’s closer to my original name, Charice and Charmaine,” he said. He added that he envisions using Charles as a first name, pairing it with Jake as a second name while keeping his last name: “So yeah, Charles, I feel like it is very me.”
During a Q&A session with fans on his YouTube vlog, Jake also discussed the creative process behind re-recording several of his older songs for his new six-track EP, Roots. The project features refreshed versions of “Reset,” “Nobody’s Singing To Me,” “Wherever You Are (feat. Cheesa),” “Yakap,” “Lighthouse,” and the global hit “Pyramid.” Reflecting on the experience, he shared, “I was able to take control. I was able to actually do everything myself… you have freedom to do whatever you want, be creative.”
He described the journey as both empowering and nostalgic, saying, “It was quite a journey. I hope you guys will like it.” Jake also opened up about adjusting to his deeper voice, admitting it felt like going through puberty again as a trans man. Despite difficulties, he has found familiarity and new techniques in his evolving sound.
As for a full-length album, Jake is taking things step by step: “Let’s go slowly but surely… if you guys receive this well, maybe we’ll have Roots number two.”
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