Lea Salonga

Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga, born February 22, 1971, is a Filipina singer and actress recognized for her work across theatre, film, television, and music. Known as the Pride of the Philippines, she gained international fame as a leading performer on Broadway and in the West End, while also serving as the singing voice for major Disney animated characters and maintaining a career as a recording artist.

Born in Manila to a Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary rear admiral and his wife, Salonga grew up alongside a younger brother who became a conductor and composer. She made her professional stage debut at age seven in a Philippine production of The King and I. During her youth, she starred in several stage plays, hosted a television show, sang for state functions, and released her Gold-certified debut album, Small Voice, at age ten.

Salonga achieved international acclaim in 1989 when she originated the lead role of Kim in the West End production of Miss Saigon, winning a Laurence Olivier Award. Reprising the role on Broadway in 1991, she became the first Asian actress to win a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Following this stage success, Disney chose her to provide the singing voice for Princess Jasmine in the 1992 animated film Aladdin, in which she sang A Whole New World.

In 1993, Salonga joined the Broadway production of Les Misérables as Éponine, later performing the role in the show's tenth-anniversary concert at the Royal Albert Hall and in the West End. Throughout the 1990s, she balanced international musical theatre with screen and music projects. She starred in Filipino films such as Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal and Sana Maulit Muli, recorded the singing voice for the title character in Disney's Mulan, and released albums including her Platinum-certified self-titled international debut.

During the early 2000s, Salonga returned to Broadway for the closing of Miss Saigon and played Wu Mei-Li in Flower Drum Song, winning an Ovation Award. She expanded into non-musical theater roles, such as in Proof, and appeared on American television series including As the World Turns and ER. Over her career, she has headlined concerts at world-renowned venues, including Carnegie Hall, the London Palladium, Lincoln Center, the Nippon Budokan, and the Sydney Opera House.

Salonga's distinctions include a Tony Award, a Laurence Olivier Award, two Grammy Award nominations, multiple Aliw Awards, a FAMAS Award, and designation as a Disney Legend in 2011. The Philippine government has recognized her with the Presidential Merit Award, the Congressional Medal of Achievement, and appointment as a Commander of the Order of Lakandula. Her activities include television coaching and upcoming honors, including becoming the first Filipino to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2026.