Lea Salonga is set to add another historic milestone to her decades-long career, becoming the first Filipina to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced that Lea will be honored with the 2,855th star on September 4 at 11:30 a.m. PT along Hollywood Boulevard, in front of the Pantages Theatre. She will receive the distinction in the Live Performance category.
The ceremony will be hosted by Emmy Award-winning sports and entertainment journalist Sibley Scoles, with actress and fellow Walk of Famer Ming-Na Wen joining as a guest speaker. Ming-Na and Lea share a connection through Disney’s Mulan, with the latter providing the singing voice for the titular character and the former voicing her in the animated film.
Following the unveiling of her star, the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) will also honor Lea with its Icon Award during its Closing Night Awards Gala on September 6 at The Beverly Hilton.
MIFF, a member of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, previously nominated Lea for consideration by the Walk of Fame Selection Committee.
The MIFF will also screen two films from Lea’s filmography during the festival, such as Olivia Lamasan’s 1995 romantic drama Sana Maulit Muli, and The Vale: Origins.
More than a star
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce also described Lea as a “true trailblazer,” highlighting the global reach of her career and the significance of her achievement to the Filipino community and future generations of artists.
The recognition also carries particular weight within the broader history of Filipino representation in Hollywood. Lea’s upcoming star follows Hollywood Walk of Fame honors for entertainers of Filipino heritage, including Bruno Mars and Apl.de.Ap, but marks the first time a Filipina will receive the distinction.
The milestone comes as Lea continues to expand her global footprint. She is set to star as the lead villain in DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming fantasy film Forgotten Island, premiering September 26.
Joining Lea in the upcoming Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2027 are Filipino-American entertainers Jo Koy and Nicole Scherzinger, who will also be honored with stars in the Live Theatre/Live Performance category.
A milestone decades in the making
Lea rose to international prominence after originating the role of Kim in the musical “Miss Saigon,” a performance that earned her the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, alongside an Olivier Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, and Theatre World Award. She later became the first Asian actress to play Éponine on Broadway in Les Misérables, returning to the musical years later as Fantine in its 2006 revival.
Her Broadway credits have since expanded to include “Flower Drum Song,” “Allegiance,” “Here Lies Love,” “Once on This Island,” and, most recently, “Old Friends,” where she starred alongside Bernadette Peters in productions in Los Angeles, London, and on Broadway.
In January, she also took on the role of Madame Thénardier in “Les Misérables: The World Tour Spectacular.”
Beyond the stage, Lea’s voice has become familiar to audiences around the world. She provided the singing voices of Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and Fa Mulan in Mulan and Mulan II—performances that led Disney to name her a “Disney Legend.”
Her screen and recording work has continued alongside her theater career, with credits including “Yellow Rose,” “Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin,” Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters,” “Centaurworld,” and FX’s “Little Demon.”
She has also released multiple albums and performed sold-out concerts across North America, the United Kingdom, Asia, and Australia.
In a 45-year career, she has performed for six Philippine presidents, four American presidents, Diana, Princess of Wales, and Queen Elizabeth II. She has also received the Time100 Impact Award and the Gold House 2023 Gold Legend Award.
Lea has toured all over the world, performing sold-out concerts in such locations as the Sydney Opera House, 02 Arena, Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, Singapore’s Esplanade, Kuala Lumpur Convention Center, Hong Kong Cultural Center, Queen Sirikit Convention Center in Bangkok, and Carnegie Hall in New York.
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