It was on her 24th birthday that actress-model Klea Pineda finally found the courage to speak her truth about her sexuality. 

“I want the world to know that I am a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community,” she declared fearlessly on her Instagram account. 

READ: Klea Pineda comes out with pride: “From now on, I want to live my life fearlessly”

She admitted that she already knew she was gay back in high school, but like many members of the LGBTQIA+ community, it took some time for Klea to come out in public about her sexuality. For a while, she even succumbed to the pressure of dating men. 

“Siyempre, nag-try po ako. Parati kong naririnig kasi na ‘try ko pa’ pero hindi talaga eh,” she said 

She named three known male celebrities that she went out with. 

“Number one, after StarStruck, nandyan agad si Jak Roberto. Ilang months din kaming nag-date ni Jak, and umabot sa point na dinala at pinakilala ko rin siya sa family ko,” she recalled. 

“Second, is ‘yung naka-love team ko, si Jeric Gonzales,” she continued. “And then hindi siya official na nag-try [manligaw] but lumabas kami many times, si Andre Paras.”

Klea soon had to admit that she simply was not happy enough. While she was not miserable, she knew that there was something missing. 

“‘Yung happiness ko, sobrang kulang,” she said. “Hindi naman sa sinasabi na hindi ako sumaya sa mga guys na ‘to, pero may kulang. Hindi mo ma-pinpoint kung alin.”

She couldn’t help but realize that the way she felt when she was with women was really different. 

“Nakikipag-date ako sa girls or nagkakaroon ako ng girlfriend, iba yung saya ko, iba yung nararamdaman ko,” she admitted. 

At 24 years old, Klea mustered up the courage to speak her truth and did not hold back any longer. Right after her reveal, she also went public about being in a relationship with actress-model Katrice Kierulf. The two, fondly called “Katlea” by friends, met through common friends and both share a love for big bikes. In an interview with Boy Abunda, Klea admitted that they have been a couple for over a year now. 

A peek at Katrice’s Instagram account shows a post from last February where she is seen with a huge smile, holding a bouquet of flowers in one hand and another hand with the other. 

“365 days around the sun with you,” she captioned the post. 

With the couple’s revelation, it can be presumed that the mysterious hand in the photo is Klea’s.

The host asked Katrice how she felt about Klea’s revelation, and Katrice expressed her pride for her girlfriend. 

“Naiiyak ako kasi finally she made it. She’s speaking her truth already to everyone, so very heartfelt talaga ‘yung desisyon niya na ‘to,” she said. “And I’m just so proud of her.”

Klea admitted that she didn’t make her decision lightly. She also considered Katrice in her decision, knowing that it would directly affect her as well. 

“In-ask ko pa siya kung okay lang sa kanya kasi once na nag-out ako, mag-a-out na rin siya sa public,” Klea said. 

Thankfully, Katrice was supportive of Klea’s decision and was even excited for her. 

“Ang sagot niya sa akin, ‘Hinihintay lang naman kita,” shared Klea. “She’s very supportive talaga since Day 1.”

Despite possible push back, Klea has decided that it is worth it to be honest to herself and to others. 

“I know not everyone will understand and appreciate this decision. But throughout the years, I’ve learned to prioritize the things that give joy and meaning to my life, and revealing my sexuality to the world is a huge part of it,” she said. “From now on, I want to live my life fearlessly.”