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Lea Salonga

For her eponymous album, see Lea Salonga (album).
In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Imutan and the surname or paternal family name is Salonga.

Lea Salonga
CL
Salonga in 2025
Born
Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga

(1971-02-22) February 22, 1971 (age 54)
Manila, Philippines
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
  • producer
  • columnist
Years active1978–present
Works
Spouse
Robert Chien
​
(m. 2004)​
ChildrenNic
Relatives
AwardsFull list
Honors
Presidential Merit Award
Order of Lakandula
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentVocals
Labels
Websiteleasalonga.com
Signature

Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga (born February 22, 1971), known professionally as Lea Salonga,[a] is a Filipino actress, singer, producer, and columnist. Known as the "Pride of the Philippines," she is widely acclaimed for her crystalline voice, precise vocal technique, and expressive musicality. Over a career spanning more than four decades, she has become recognized as one of the most accomplished stage performers of her generation, with success on Broadway, the West End, and concert stages worldwide.

Salonga began performing in Philippine musical theatre as a child, making her professional debut at age seven. She achieved international recognition in 1989 when she originated the role of Kim in the West End production of Miss Saigon, later reprising the role on Broadway in 1991. She continued her Broadway success with standout performances in Les Misérables (1993, 2007), Flower Drum Song (2002), Allegiance (2015), Once on This Island (2017), Here Lies Love (2023), and Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends (2025). Beyond the stage, she earned critical acclaim for her performances in the films Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal (1992) and Sana Maulit Muli (1995), and provided the singing voices for Princess Jasmine in Aladdin (1992) and Fa Mulan in Mulan (1998) and Mulan II (2004). She has also appeared on television in That’s Entertainment, As the World Turns, and Pretty Little Liars, and served as a coach on The Voice of the Philippines as well as its spin-off series The Voice Kids and The Voice Teens.

As a recording artist, Salonga began her career at age ten with the gold-certified album Small Voice (1981). She later signed with Atlantic Records and released her self-titled album (1993), which achieved platinum status, followed by I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing (1997) and By Heart (1999). She has since headlined sold-out concerts across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, with notable performances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Sydney Opera House, the Royal Albert Hall, and the London Palladium.

Salonga’s achievements include the Laurence Olivier Award (1990), Tony Award (1991), and two Grammy Award nominations (2004, 2019). In the Philippines, she has been recognized with the Presidential Merit Award (1990), the Order of Lakandula (2007), and the Congressional Medal of Achievement (2007). She is the first Asian actress to win a Tony Award, the first Filipino artist to sign with an international record label, and in 2026 will become the first Filipino artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her career has established her as a groundbreaking figure in musical theatre and a cultural icon whose influence extends across stage, film, and music.

Life and career

[edit]

1971–1989: Early life and career beginnings

[edit]

Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga[1] was born on February 22, 1971,[2][3] in Manila, Philippines, to Maria Ligaya Alcantara Imutan (b. 1937)[4] and Feliciano Genuino Salonga Jr. (1929–2016),[5][6] a rear admiral in the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary and chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.[7] Genealogical research presented on Finding Your Roots revealed that she is of Filipino and German descent, with maternal ancestry traced to the Prussian region.[8] She has a younger brother, Gerard (b. 1973), a musical conductor, composer, and arranger.[3] At age six, she and her family relocated from Angeles City to Quezon City, later settling in San Juan.[9][10]

Salonga demonstrated musical ability in early childhood, singing at family parties and beginning vocal training with her aunt at age three.[10][11][12] At age seven, she made her professional stage debut in Repertory Philippines’ production of The King and I (1978) and later gained recognition playing the title role in Annie in 1980 and 1984.[10][13][14] She went on to appear in numerous other stage productions with the company, including The Sound of Music (1980) and The Fantasticks (1988), which helped establish her as a prominent child actress and singer.[15]

Her recording and screen careers developed simultaneously. In 1981, she released her debut album, Small Voice, which achieved gold certification in the Philippines,[16] and made her film debut in Tropang Bulilit. She earned a FAMAS Award nomination for Best Child Actress and won three consecutive Aliw Awards for Best Child Performer from 1980 to 1982.[15][17] Between 1983 and 1985, she hosted the television program Love, Lea[17] and appeared regularly on German Moreno’s teen variety show That’s Entertainment.

By the mid-1980s, Salonga was active in both music and film. She and her brother, Gerard, won second prize at the 1985 Metro Manila Popular Music Festival with Tess Concepcion’s “Musika, Lata, Sipol at La La La,” and that same year, she opened for Menudo during their Manila concerts, later performing with them again and contributing to their album In Action (1987).[18][19] As a teenager, she also appeared in films such as Like Father, Like Son (1985), Ninja Kids (1986), and Pik Pak Boom (1988), and in 1988 released her second album, Lea, while also serving as an opening act for Stevie Wonder.[18][19] In early 1986, 14-year-old Salonga was noted to be attending KBL campaign sorties alongside other celebrities for the reelection of President Ferdinand Marcos in the 1986 snap election.[20] She completed her primary and secondary education as salutatorian and valedictorian, respectively, at Operation Brotherhood (OB) Montessori Center before continuing on a pre-medical track at Ateneo de Manila University.[3]

1989–1992: Miss Saigon and Aladdin

[edit]
See also: Miss Saigon controversy § Lea Salonga

In 1989, Salonga originated the leading role of Kim in the debut production of the musical Miss Saigon in London.[21] For her initial Manila audition in 1988, the then 17-year-old Salonga chose to sing Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's "On My Own" from Les Misérables. Salonga has sometimes credited the song as the starting point of her international career.[22][23] After hearing her rendition, she was asked if she had prepared another song to perform. Although she had not prepared another song for the audition, she sang "The Greatest Love of All." At her first callback audition, Salonga was asked to sing "Sun and Moon" and "The Movie in My Mind," impressing the audition panel.[24] In December 1988, Salonga appeared before the panel at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London to perform "I'd Give My Life For You" and "Too Much For One Heart." After three days of intensive work sessions in London, Salonga was offered the lead role.[24][25] During an episode of "Stars in the House" streamed on March 28, 2020, Salonga told Seth Rudetsky and his husband, producer James Wesley, she found out that she was officially cast when she read the Sunday supplement of the Daily Mail.[26]

For her performance as Kim, Salonga won the 1990 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical, becoming one of the youngest winners of the award. On December 21, 1990, Salonga performed with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Ateneo College Glee Club, and guest singer Robert Seña in a homecoming concert in Manila entitled A Miss Called Lea, which was later broadcast on television. She also received a Presidential Award of Merit from President Corazon Aquino for her services to the arts.[27]

When Miss Saigon opened on Broadway in 1991, she again played the role of Kim,[28] winning the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Theatre World awards[21] and becoming the second-youngest actress and first actress of Asian descent to win a Tony Award.[29][30] During the production transfer from West End to Broadway, a controversy erupted over Salonga's citizenship. The Actors' Equity Association (AEA) initially prevented her from reprising the role, wishing to give priority to Asian-American performers.[31] However, Cameron Mackintosh claimed he could not find a satisfactory replacement for Salonga, and an arbitrator later reversed the AEA ruling.[32] In 1999, Salonga returned to reprise the role of Kim on Broadway,[33] then again in 2001, at the age of 29 and after finishing the Manila run of the musical,[34] this time to close the Broadway production.[35]

In 1991, she was named one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People.[36] In 1992, she performed the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in Disney's animated film Aladdin.[37] Later that year, Salonga's agent submitted her to an audition for the leading role of Eliza Doolittle in the upcoming Broadway revival of My Fair Lady. However, the casting director for the production refused to see her because of her race.[38] Shortly after, Salonga was contacted by Cameron Mackintosh to join the Broadway production of Les Misérables.

1993–1996: Les Misérables, films, and other musicals

[edit]

In 1993, Salonga played the role of Éponine in the Broadway production of Les Misérables, becoming the first Asian actress to perform the role on Broadway.[39] She performed the song "A Whole New World" from Aladdin with Brad Kane at the 65th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles,[40][41] where the song won an Oscar, having already won a Golden Globe Award.[16] That same year, she released her self-titled international debut album with Atlantic Records. In 1994, Salonga played in various musical theatre productions in the Philippines and Singapore,[21][13] such as Sandy in Grease, Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, and The Witch in Into the Woods.[15]

In the U.S. in 1995, Salonga played the role of Geri Riordan, an 18-year-old adopted Vietnamese American child in the Hallmark Hall of Fame TV movie Redwood Curtain, which starred John Lithgow and Jeff Daniels. She then flew back to the Philippines to star with Filipino matinée idol Aga Muhlach in the critically acclaimed film Sana Maulit Muli, which gave her a second Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) award nomination, this time for Best Actress. She reprised the role of Éponine in the 10th-anniversary concert of Les Misérables at the Royal Albert Hall in London, which was recorded and later released as a film titled Les Misérables: The Dream Cast in Concert.[42]

In 1996, Salonga was again in Les Misérables as Éponine in the West End production of the musical. In September of that same year, she continued to perform the role at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall in Honolulu, Hawaii, during the musical's U.S. national tour.[21][43]

In December 1996, Salonga represented the Philippines while performing at ONE: The WTO Show, the closing ceremony for the inaugural World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial conference held at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre.[44]

1997–2000: Recordings, Mulan, and Philippine stage work

[edit]

Between 1997 and 2000, Salonga focused on recordings, concerts, and stage performances in the Philippines while continuing to make select returns to Miss Saigon on the West End and Broadway. In 1997, she released I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing, which achieved gold sales in the Philippines.[45] The album was followed by Lea… In Love (1998)[46] and By Heart (2000), both of which went multi-platinum in the Philippines.[18]

In 1998, Salonga provided the singing voice of the title character in Disney’s Mulan.[37] That year, she relocated to New York City, purchasing her own apartment, which she still owned as of 2013.[47] She also appeared in Hey, Mr. Producer!, a London tribute concert to Cameron Mackintosh,[48][49][50] and was featured in an episode of the American Theatre Wing’s Working in the Theatre alongside Iain Glen, Nicole Kidman, and Anna Manahan.[51]

Salonga starred in the Philippine productions of They’re Playing Our Song in 1999 and 2000,[52] beginning a relationship with her co-star Michael K. Lee following the latter run.[53] In 2000, she briefly studied philosophy and history at Fordham University[54][55][56] and performed in several major concerts, including The Homecoming Concert, The Millennium Concert, The Best of Manila, and Songs from the Screen, the last two of which were staged as benefit shows. Later that year, she returned to Manila to appear in Miss Saigon at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.[57]

2001–2004: Broadway return, concerts, and marriage

[edit]

In 2001, Salonga gave her final performances as Kim in Miss Saigon for its Broadway closing. She then transitioned to television, appearing as Lien Hughes on As the World Turns, guesting on Russell Watson’s The Voice concert, narrating the PBS special My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States, and portraying a lymphoma patient in the Season 8 Christmas episode of ER.[58] That November, she starred in the role of Wu Mei-Li in the Los Angeles premiere of the Rodgers and Hammerstein revival Flower Drum Song at the Mark Taper Forum.[59] Her performance earned her the Ovation Award for Lead Actress in a Musical.[60] During this production, fellow cast member Christine Yasunaga introduced Salonga to American businessman of Chinese and Japanese heritage, Robert Chien, and the two began a relationship.[61][62]

In 2002, Salonga went on to appear in her first non-musical stage role as Catherine in Proof in Manila,[21][63] headlined The Broadway Concert at the Philippine International Convention Center,[62] and performed in a Richard Rodgers tribute at the 56th Tony Awards with Harry Connick Jr., Peter Gallagher, and Michele Lee.[64] In July, Salonga and Chien became engaged.[65] When Flower Drum Song transferred to Broadway in October, Salonga reprised her role opposite Jose Llana.[66] The Broadway revival cast album was later nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album,[67] and her performance was praised by New York critics, earning her a nomination for The Drama League’s Distinguished Performance Award.[68] She also returned to Working in the Theatre in September, appearing with John Cullum, Edie Falco, Stanley Tucci, Marissa Jaret Winokur, and Charlayne Woodard.[69]

From 2003 to 2004, Salonga remained active in both the Philippines and the United States. She staged her first “all-Filipino” concert in Manila, Songs from Home, which won the Aliw Award for Entertainer of the Year,[70] and gave additional performances at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, a holiday concert in the Philippines titled Home for Christmas, and shows in New Jersey.[61] On January 10, 2004, she married Chien in a televised ceremony at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles.[65][71][72][73] Later that year, she starred as Lizzie in the Manila production of the musical Baby, receiving another Aliw Award nomination,[74] and reprised her Disney role as the singing voice of Fa Mulan in Mulan II.[75]

2005–2007: International ventures

[edit]

In 2005, Salonga gave her first U.S. concert tour.[76][77][78] Later that year, on November 7, she performed to a sold-out crowd at Carnegie Hall for the benefit of Diverse City Theater Company.[79][80] The same year, she received the Golden Artist Award at the 53rd FAMAS Awards in honor of her international achievements,[81] performed during the grand opening of Hong Kong's Disneyland,[82] and recorded two songs on Daniel Rodriguez's album In the Presence.[83] She also did voice work for Disney's English dub of Hayao Miyazaki's My Neighbor Totoro as Yasuko Kusakabe.[13] Salonga wrote the foreword to Linda Marquart's The Right Way to Sing (2005).[13]

On May 16, 2006, Salonga gave birth to Nic Chien at Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Muntinlupa, Philippines.[84][85][86][87] Later that year, at the 15th Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, Salonga concluded the closing ceremony with the song "Triumph of the One" before an audience of 50,000 people at Khalifa International Stadium.[88][89]

In 2007, Salonga released her first studio album in seven years called Inspired, which was certified platinum in the Philippines.[90] On August 14, 2007, she received the Order of Lakandula, with the rank of Commander (Komandante), from Philippine President Gloria Arroyo in recognition of using her talents to benefit Philippine society and foster cultural exchange. She has also received the Congressional Medal of Achievement from the House of Representatives of the Philippines for showing "the extent and depth of the Filipino musical talent" and "opening the way for other Filipino artists to break into the finest theaters in the world."[91]

In March 2007, Salonga returned to Broadway for another stint in the musical Les Misérables, this time as Fantine.[92][42] Her rejoining the show boosted the musical's ticket sales.[93][94] President Arroyo watched Salonga in this role, with Filipino-Americans Adam Jacobs as Marius and Ali Ewoldt as Cosette.[95][96][97] Salonga received rave reviews and made it again to the short list of Broadway.com's Audience Award favorites as Best Replacement.[94][98][99] During her tenure on Broadway that season, she appeared in Broadway on Broadway 2007[100] and Stars in the Alley 2007,[101] spoke at the Broadway Artists Alliance Summer Intensives,[102] guested on the Broadway musical 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,[103] and participated in Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS' 12th Annual Nothing Like a Dame event to benefit the women's health initiative of The Actors Fund.[99][104] Right after doing Les Misérables, she performed in two events: at the U.S. Military Academy Band's concert in West Point, where she sang four songs and an encore,[105] and in her concert at the Tarrytown Music Hall in New York.[106] She was then busy with other concerts and musical events,[107] including a Christmas presentation in Manila.[107][108]

2008–2012: Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist and touring

[edit]

In 2008, Salonga gave concerts in the Philippines, California, Hawaii, Hong Kong, and Guam,[109] On July 3, 2008, Salonga became a columnist in the Philippine Daily Inquirer with her column "Backstory" (Entertainment section), "Introducing: Lea Salonga, writer."[110] Since then, she has written numerous columns for the Inquirer.[111] She performed in "Global Pop" at the Music Center on July 11, 2008. It was presented by The Blue Ribbon, a group founded by Dorothy Chandler in 1968.[112] Salonga gave a concert on July 11 at Los Angeles' Walt Disney Concert Hall.[113][114][115] That same year, she received a special citation from the Awit Awards.[116]

Salonga in New York in 2009

From late July 2008 to mid-2009, Salonga played the title role in the 30-week Asian tour of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, which premiered in Manila.[117][118] Salonga performed a series of concerts in North America in 2009 and was asked to dance the Filipino novelty dances "Ocho-Ocho" and "Spaghetti."[119] The same year, Salonga advertised the Avon Products line of anti-aging skin care products, Anew Rejuvenate, in the Philippines.[120] In June 2009, she sang at the 95th Anniversary Special of the Iglesia ni Cristo.[121] Salonga sang Patriotic song "Bayan Ko" at the Requiem Mass for former President Corazon Aquino at Manila Cathedral.[122] Salonga celebrated 20 years of Miss Saigon by performing in concerts called Lea Salonga... Your Songs at the Philippine International Convention Center Plenary Hall on December 11 and 12, 2009. In the same venue, Salonga received the Gusi Peace Prize in November 2009.[123]

From July to August 2010, Salonga played the role of Grizabella in the Manila run of the Asia-Pacific tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. In October, she played Fantine during the 25th Anniversary Concert of Les Misérables, fifteen years after appearing in the 10th Anniversary as Eponine.[124][125] The same year, she served as a celebrity judge for Avon Voices.[126]

Salonga was honored as a Disney Legend on August 19, 2011.[37][127] She was one of the judges in the Miss Universe 2011 pageant in São Paulo, Brazil on September 12, 2011.[128] Salonga and Darren Criss sang "A Whole New World" to its composer, Alan Menken, as Menken was named the winner of the 2011 Maestro Award at the Billboard/Hollywood Reporter Film & TV Music Conference on October 24, 2011.[129]

Salonga performed in a six-concert series titled The Magic of Broadway and Disney Favorites in 2012 with the Palm Beach Pops.[130] She starred in the first production of Allegiance at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego from September to October 2012.[131] Salonga starred in the Philippine production of the comedy God of Carnage in July 2012 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium of RCBC Plaza in Manila. She reprised the role at the DBS Arts Centre in Singapore in November 2012.[132][133] Also in 2012, Salonga was the guest narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional at Epcot in Walt Disney World from December 14 to 16, retelling the Christmas story accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and a mass choir.[134]

2013–2018: The Voice of the Philippines and return to Broadway

[edit]

In January 2013, Salonga participated in Lincoln Center's American Songbook concert series at the Allen Room.[135] In February in the Philippines, Salonga provided the theme song for TV5's reality singing competition Kanta Pilipinas, and, together with Tyne Daly and Norm Lewis, she starred as Mother in a concert performance of Ragtime at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall.[136] Salonga headlined a concert series, "4 Stars One World of Broadway Musicals", in Tokyo Osaka in June, performing with Ramin Karimloo, Sierra Boggess, and Yu Shirota.[137] She was one of the four coaches, together with apl.de.ap, Sarah Geronimo, and Bamboo Mañalac, for the ABS-CBN program, The Voice of the Philippines, which premiered in June 2013.[138] In December 2013, Salonga began her Lea Salonga: Playlist concert tour in the Philippines, celebrating her 35 years in show business. The concert series was extended to January 2014.[139] Salonga wrote a book, Playlist: A Celebration of 35 Years, which she used as a souvenir program for the concerts.[140]

Salonga performing at the Malacañang Palace in 2014

In 2014, she returned for the second season of The Voice of the Philippines and joined the new Philippine version of The Voice Kids,[141] on which she has appeared for three seasons.[142] Salonga recorded a song titled "Wished That I Could Call You" that was included in the charity compilation album Children In Need, released in March 2014.[143][144] Also, in 2014 and 2015, she toured Asia and North America with Il Divo.[145] In mid-2015, she performed a concert series in Australasia.[146] Salonga reprised her role as Kei Kimura in the 2015–16 Broadway production of Allegiance.[147] In The New York Times, Charles Isherwood wrote of her performance: "Her voice retains its plush beauty, and her culminating first act solo, 'Higher' ... is perhaps the show's musical highlight."[148] Salonga guest-starred on the April 2016 season finale of the American television series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,[149] playing Filipino-heritage character Josh's visiting aunt, a former Star Search contestant, in town for a wedding, at which she sings the episode's climactic Disney princess parody song, "One Indescribable Instant."[150]

In Manila in November 2016, she appeared as Helen Bechdel in the international premiere of Fun Home.[142][151] A review in ABS-CBN News said that she "delivers a finely tuned performance, utilizing her prodigious stage presence to provide the cold and dark shadings to erstwhile peppy scenes with her subtle stares and held back emotions. ... [In] "Days by Days" ... she finally lets go of all the resentment and repressed anger of a woman stuck in a marriage built on a lie. Yet there is dignity in her breakdown ... Salonga pulls it off with such clarity, both musically and emotionally, that it's difficult not to be moved."[152]

Salonga after a performance of Once on This Island

In 2016, Salonga won two more Aliw Awards, one for Best Major Concert in a Foreign Venue and her second Entertainer of the Year award.[153] The following year, Salonga was one of the coaches on The Voice Teens.[154] Also in 2017, she released an album, Bahaghari: Lea Salonga Sings Traditional Songs of the Philippines, with songs sung in several languages spoken in the Philippines.[155] Salonga portrayed Erzulie in the 2017 Broadway revival of Once on This Island at Circle in the Square Theatre, where she received critical praise for her vocal performance.[156][157] She returned to the show for its final performances in December 2018 and January 2019.[158] The cast recording for Once on This Island was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.[159]

2019–2021: Yellow Rose, Sweeney Todd, and international concerts

[edit]

Salonga appeared alongside Eva Noblezada, Dale Watson, and Princess Punzalan as a Philippine immigrant, Aunt Gail, in the musical film Yellow Rose, which premiered at the 2019 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.[160] On May 25, 2019, Salonga launched The Human Heart Tour in North America before transferring the tour to the United Kingdom, performing for sold-out audiences.[161] Later, in 2019, she played Mrs. Lovett in a revival of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Manila and then Singapore.[162] Critics praised her "crystalline tones that turned her numbers, especially 'By the Sea,' into unexpected show-stoppers"[163] and called the performance a "career-high" for the actress.[164] Between these two short runs, she gave concerts in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane in November 2019.[165]

In March 2020, shortly after performing in Dubai, Salonga announced that her 2020 North American tour would be rescheduled due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2020, she announced that the tour would again be rescheduled to Fall 2021, but these dates were rescheduled again. During the pandemic, Salonga performed for several virtual global fundraising events and concerts. In August 2020, she released her single "Dream Again," a song of hope and persistence. On November 27, the PBS series Great Performances broadcast her 2019 concert at the Sydney Opera House, where she performed with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.[166]

Salonga at the 74th Tony Awards in 2021

In 2021, Salonga voiced the Mysterious Woman in the Netflix series Centaurworld.[167] In September of the same year, she announced her Dream Again Tour, named after her 2020 single.[168] One month later, she announced she would also be touring the United States and Canada.[169] On December 25, 2021, Salonga returned to Dubai to perform a Christmas concert for Expo 2020 at the Dubai Exhibition Centre.[170]

2022–present: Return to the stage and screen

[edit]

On April 6, 2022, Salonga began her Dream Again Tour in the United States and Canada. Following the completion of this tour, she performed the song "The Prayer" at the 2022 National Memorial Day Concert on the West Lawn of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., which was broadcast on PBS.[171] On June 18, she continued her tour in the United Kingdom. On July 28, the critically acclaimed series Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin premiered on HBO Max, where Salonga portrays Elodie Honrada.[172][173] In September 2022, Salonga began portraying Mama Soubirous in the Indie Theatrical workshop of the new musical adaptation of The Song of Bernadette in Manhattan.[174] In the same month, she was recognized by TIME magazine at the TIME100 Impact Awards for being a "life-long role model for children of color."[175] On October 27, 2022, Salonga was featured on Pentatonix's cover of Jose Mari Chan's "Christmas In Our Hearts" in their Christmas album, Holidays Around The World.[176] On December 15, 16, and 17, 2022, Salonga performed with The Tabernacle Choir as the featured guest artist in a series of Christmas concerts at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.[177][178] The event was televised on PBS in December 2023.

Salonga at a White House state dinner in 2023

In February 2023, it was announced that Salonga would make her producing debut and appear for a five-week run in the original Broadway production of Here Lies Love in the role of Aurora Aquino, mother of Ninoy Aquino. The production notably marks the first time Salonga has played a Filipino role on the Broadway stage and her return to the Broadway Theatre, where Miss Saigon originally played.[179] From March through July 2023, she performed concerts across the United States in California, New Jersey, Virginia, Texas, and North Carolina. On March 13, Salonga performed at the annual Broadway Backwards event at the New Amsterdam Theatre.[180] On April 26, Salonga performed for U.S. President Joe Biden, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, and other world leaders at a White House state dinner alongside Jessica Vosk and Norm Lewis.[181] On May 6, she was recognized by Gold House at the 2nd Annual Gold House Gala, receiving the Gold Legend Honor for a "lifetime of indelible contributions to the success and representation of the Asian Pacific community."[182] On May 25, Salonga was featured on TAAF AAPI Heritage Heroes 2023 on Hulu. In June 2023, it was announced that Salonga would be featured on a studio recording for the upcoming musical Wild About You, which was released in December of the same year.[183] She returned to London's West End to star alongside Bernadette Peters in the tribute revue Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends, which ran at the Gielgud Theatre from September 21, 2023, to January 6, 2024.[184][185]

Salonga and Peters at the opening night of Old Friends in 2025

Salonga reprised her role as Elodie in Pretty Little Liars: Summer School, which premiered in May 2024.[186] In June 2024, Salonga appeared in the audio fiction series Does This Murder Make Me Look Gay?! alongside Michael Urie, Frankie Grande, Douglas Sills, Cheyenne Jackson, Jonathan Freeman, Brad Oscar, Robin de Jesús, Lea DeLaria, Seth Rudetsky, and Kate McKinnon.[187] In the same month, Salonga began performing her third U.K. concert tour, Stage, Screen & Everything In Between, which included a concert at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, where the original production of Miss Saigon premiered.[188] In October of the same year, Salonga starred in a Filipino production of the Franz Xaver Kroetz solo play Wunschkonzert (or Request Program), retitled Request sa Radyo, at the Samsung Performing Arts Center in Manila.[189] She alternated the lead role of Ms. Reyes with Filipino actress Dolly de Leon.[190] On November 1, 2024, Salonga released Sounding Joy, her first holiday album in over two decades.[191] That same month, she performed on the Sesame Street float at the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.[192]

In January 2025, Salonga made a guest appearance on an episode of Finding Your Roots.[193] In March of the same year, Salonga and Bernadette Peters reprised their performances in the Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, following a pre-Broadway run at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles.[194][195] In April 2025, Salonga made a guest star appearance on the crime drama series The Cleaning Lady.[196] In May 2025, Salonga was honored with the Award for Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theater at the 91st Annual Drama League Awards.[197] In August 2025, Salonga returned to the Philippines to reprise her role as The Witch in Into the Woods, starring alongside Arielle Jacobs.[198] Additionally, Salonga is set to star in the upcoming short film The Vale – Origins.[199] In the fall of 2025, Salonga will embark on the North American leg of the Stage, Screen & Everything In Between Tour.[200]

Artistry

[edit]

Musical style and themes

[edit]

Throughout her career, Salonga's musical repertoire has spanned a broad spectrum, encompassing musical theatre, pop, classical crossover, and Original Pilipino Music (OPM). In her popular music recordings, she often gravitates toward sentimental ballads and "simple love songs," a hallmark of traditional OPM.[201] Her interpretive style is characterized by emotional sincerity, clarity of diction, and a refined, theatrical sensibility that reflects her roots in stage performance. Her theatrical background has consistently informed her approach to vocal storytelling, emphasizing narrative depth and character-driven emotion in both studio recordings and live performances.

Beyond her mainstream pop catalog, Salonga has also ventured into more eclectic material, including jazz standards, show tunes, and contemporary Broadway compositions. She is known for bringing classical vocal training and dramatic interpretation to her music, often blending Western and Filipino musical influences to bridge cultural and generational audiences.

Influences

[edit]
Salonga's major influences include Barbra Streisand (left) and Karen Carpenter (right).

Salonga has credited a diverse group of musical artists as shaping her vocal and artistic development. Among her earliest and most enduring influences are ABBA, the Carpenters—especially Karen Carpenter—Olivia Newton-John, The Osmonds, Elaine Paige, and Barbra Streisand.[202] She has cited their ability to convey emotion through clean, lyrical phrasing as particularly formative. "They had clear voices that really helped the listener focus on the lyrics besides the tone and music," Salonga has noted.[203]

Her admiration for Barbra Streisand, in particular, has been longstanding and publicly expressed. During her January 15, 2000 concert at the Philippine International Convention Center, Salonga described Streisand as one of her idols, praising her multidimensional career that includes singing, acting, producing, and arranging.[202]

Salonga's exposure to both Western and Filipino musical traditions has enabled her to develop a hybrid vocal identity that appeals to international audiences while retaining cultural specificity. This blend of influences is evident in her ability to shift seamlessly between genres, from Broadway to pop to Filipino kundiman.

Voice

[edit]
Lea Salonga
@MsLeaSalonga

Replying to @iLeanatics

I'm a alto/mezzo. My natural voice sits low to midrange.

Aug 17, 2013[204]

Salonga possesses a mezzo-soprano vocal range, with a tessitura that comfortably sits in the low to midrange register. On social media, she has identified herself as an "alto/mezzo," noting that her natural voice lies "low to midrange." However, her roles often demand substantial vocal agility and dynamic control. In Miss Saigon, for instance, her portrayal of Kim required her to utilize a range from E3 to D5, showcasing both lyrical softness and emotional intensity. In her Disney Princess roles—Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and Fa Mulan in Mulan—she employed a lighter head voice that extended to F5, revealing her ability to adjust her vocal timbre to suit animated characters and musical storytelling.[205]

Salonga is widely recognized for her impeccable vocal technique, pitch accuracy, and expressive interpretation. She is frequently cited as having perfect or absolute pitch,[206][207] a rare auditory ability that contributes to her vocal precision. Critics have lauded her tone and delivery; Marilyn Stasio of Variety referred to her voice as "golden,"[208] while Rex Reed of Observer described it as "clear and as sparkling as Baccarat crystal."[209] These accolades highlight both the technical mastery and the emotive resonance that distinguish her performances.

Salonga's vocal style is marked by its clarity, control, and emotive expressiveness, allowing her to communicate a wide emotional range with apparent ease. Whether interpreting a Broadway ballad or a Filipino pop classic, her voice consistently reflects a meticulous attention to phrasing, breath support, and emotional nuance. Her vocal performances are often described as simultaneously disciplined and heartfelt—an intersection of technical proficiency and genuine emotional engagement.

Philanthropy and activism

[edit]

Reproductive rights and sex education

[edit]

In 1987, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the United States Agency for International Development, and the Population Center Foundation (later renamed the Philippine Center for Population and Development) established the Philippine Young People's Project and selected Salonga and Menudo to lead the campaign.[210] Music videos, commercials, and live performances were used to sell the message of responsible sexual behavior and to encourage counseling for discussing and solving their problems.[211] Additionally, Salonga promoted the campaign's program Dial-A-Friend, a telephone hotline that provides confidential counseling regarding mental health, relationships, and contraception.[212]

"You don't have to be pro-contraception to be pro-reproductive health... You choose for yourself, because I believe every individual has a choice."

—Salonga during a 2011 interview on State of the Nation

In 2011, Salonga expressed support for the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill, later signed and known as the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 or RH Law. On May 18, 2011, she was interviewed by Jessica Soho on State of the Nation about her views on the controversial bill.[213] In the interview, Salonga showed understanding towards the anti-contraceptive stance held by many Filipino Catholics at the time but stated that the bill was designed "to serve every single Filipino."

LGBTQ rights

[edit]

Salonga has long been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ equality and has consistently used her platform to promote inclusion and acceptance. On October 12, 2009, during a benefit concert at the Philippine Center’s Kalayaan Hall in New York for Typhoon Ondoy victims, she explicitly aligned herself with marriage equality by declaring, "I believe that every single human being has the fundamental right to marry whoever they want."[214] She was later recognized by The Advocate in 2011 as a "major gay icon," in part due to her early support and resonance with LGBTQ communities.[215]

In February 2016, Salonga used her social media presence to denounce anti-LGBTQ statements made by Filipino politician Manny Pacquiao, responding sharply and drawing attention to the harm of such rhetoric.[216] She further affirmed her solidarity with the transgender community in October 2018, tweeting, "Trans rights are human rights, and trans people will not be erased," conveying her ongoing commitment .[217]

Salonga's advocacy extends beyond statements to active participation in LGBTQ-focused events and initiatives. In March 2025, she was announced as a special guest at Harmony, the annual gala of the New York City Gay Men's Chorus, where she presented the Gary Miller Award to George Takei for his contributions to LGBTQ activism.[218]

Perhaps most personally, Salonga has embraced transgender advocacy within her own family. In a April 2025 People magazine feature, she publicly shared her experience raising her transmasculine son, Nic, emphasizing the importance of meeting each child "where they are" and providing unconditional love.[219] She reflected that her theatre background informed her openness and capacity to support Nic through his journey: "I’ve learned how to raise a child who is their own being."

World hunger

[edit]

On October 15, 2010, Salonga was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. In her acceptance remarks at the FAO headquarters in Rome, she stated: "I am very honored to assume today the office of Goodwill Ambassador of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. It is of great significance to me, as an artist, as a woman, as a mother, to have the opportunity to participate in this global effort to give support to the hungry and impoverished."[220] As an ambassador, Salonga has participated in events such as World Food Day and has advocated for the FAO's mission to promote sustainable agriculture and food security.

Anti‑Asian hate and gender-based violence

[edit]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Salonga became an outspoken critic of the rising wave of anti-Asian racism and violence. On March 29, 2021, she publicly condemned ongoing attacks against Asian Americans via social media, urging awareness and action amid growing desensitization to racially motivated violence.[221] Her statement echoed broader calls for stronger hate crime legislation and institutional accountability.

On April 21, 2021, Salonga participated in "#AAPI Women Strong: Organizing Beyond a Hashtag," a virtual forum hosted by Public Wise and Onward Together alongside the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum.[222] Joined by public figures such as Hillary Clinton, Lucy Liu, and Margaret Cho, Salonga discussed the intersectional nature of anti-Asian violence, particularly its disproportionate impact on women, and emphasized the importance of long-term organizing beyond online advocacy.

Her involvement came amid a significant spike in anti-Asian incidents, with over 10,000 cases reported in the United States between March 2020 and December 2021. Salonga's advocacy contributed to the wider Stop Asian Hate movement, promoting not only public awareness but also the need for culturally competent services, legal reforms, and community-centered safety initiatives.

Discography

[edit]
Main article: Lea Salonga discography
This section lists select works only. Refer to the main article for further information.

Solo recordings

[edit]

Live recordings

[edit]

Cast recordings / soundtracks

[edit]

  • Screen and stage credits

    [edit]
    Main article: Lea Salonga on screen and stage
    This section lists select works only. Refer to the main article for further information.

    One of the most prolific actresses since her career's inception in 1978, Salonga has appeared in numerous films, television shows, and international theatre productions.

    Screen

    [edit]

    Film

    [edit]

    Television

    [edit]

    Stage

    [edit]

    Broadway

    [edit]

    West End

    [edit]

    Manila

    [edit]

    Achievements and legacy

    [edit]
    Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Lea Salonga
    Salonga featured on a 2021 Philippine stamp

    Salonga, dubbed the "Pride of the Philippines,"[223] began her career as a child performer and was popularly known as the "Shirley Temple of the Philippines."[224][225] She is among the most awarded artists in the history of the Aliw Awards, with 16 nominations and 14 wins, including three consecutive Best Child Performer awards from 1980 to 1982, Entertainer of the Year in 2004, 2016, and 2018, the first People’s Choice Award in 2018, and induction into the Hall of Fame in 2019.[226] She also received FAMAS Award nominations for Best Child Actress in 1982 and Best Actress in 1996 before winning the Golden Artist Award in 2005.[227][228] Her international breakthrough came with her performance as Kim in Miss Saigon, for which she won the Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical in 1990 and, in 1991, became the first Asian actress to win a Tony Award and the second-youngest actress to win for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical.[229][230] In addition, she has received two Grammy Award nominations for Best Musical Theater Album, for the Broadway cast recordings of Flower Drum Song (2004)[67] and Once on This Island (2019).[159] In 2025, Salonga was honored with the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award at the 91st Annual Drama League Awards.[197]

    Salonga has performed for a wide range of world leaders. These include Philippine presidents Ferdinand Marcos, Corazon Aquino, Fidel V. Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and Benigno Aquino III, as well as U.S. presidents George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Joe Biden.[231] She has also sung before Queen Elizabeth II, Diana, Princess of Wales, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.[181][232]

    Salonga's work on Broadway and in international music has been noted as significant for increasing representation of Asian and Filipino artists in the performing arts. In 1993, she became the first Asian actress to portray Éponine in Les Misérables on Broadway[39] and the first Filipino artist to sign with an international record label.[231] Salonga has been cited as an influence for several singers and actors, especially those of Asian descent, including Kakai Bautista,[233] Ali Ewoldt,[234] Kimiko Glenn,[235] Rachelle Ann Go,[236] Vanessa Hudgens,[237] Arielle Jacobs,[238] Vina Morales,[239] Bella Poarch,[240] Nicole Scherzinger,[241] Phillipa Soo,[235] and Lola Tung.[242]

    In recognition of her contributions, Salonga has received the Presidential Medal of Merit (1990), the rank of Commander of the Order of Lakandula (2007), and the Congressional Medal of Achievement in the Philippines.[27] Internationally, she was named a Disney Legend in 2011 for her work as the singing voices of Princess Jasmine in Aladdin (1992) and Fa Mulan in Mulan (1998) and Mulan II (2004).[37] She was included in the Time100 Impact Awards in 2022,[175] honored with the Gold Legend Award from Gold House in 2023,[182] and featured as a wax figure at Madame Tussauds Singapore in 2024.[243] In 2026, she will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[244]

    Published works

    [edit]

    Books

    [edit]
    • Marquart, Linda; Salonga, Lea (2005). The Right Way to Sing. New York City, New York: Allworth Press. ISBN 1581154070.
    • Michael, Ted; Salonga, Lea (2012). So You Wanna Be a Superstar?: The Ultimate Audition Guide. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Running Press Kids. ISBN 978-0762446100.

    Columns

    [edit]

    Audiobooks

    [edit]

    See also

    [edit]

    Notes

    [edit]
    1. ^ Pronounced /ˈleɪə səˈlɒŋɡə/ LAY-ə sa-LONG-ə.

    References

    [edit]
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    241. ^ "NICOLE SCHERZINGER Hopes To Collaborate With LEA SALONGA: "I Always Looked Up To Her"". YouTube. March 4, 2021. Archived from the original on November 19, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
    242. ^ "TODAY surprises Lola Tung with message from Lea Salonga". Today. February 5, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
    243. ^ "Lea Salonga celebrated as cultural icon at Madame Tussauds Singapore". Manila Standard. June 6, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
    244. ^ Grein, Paul (July 2, 2025). "Miley Cyrus, Josh Groban, Shaq & More Getting Stars on Hollywood Walk of Fame: Full 2025-26 List". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2025.

    Further reading

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