Lea Salonga: First Filipina on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Lea Salonga started performing at age seven. She had no plan beyond loving to sing.
On September 4, 2026, she received the 2,855th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in a ceremony outside the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles. She is the first Filipina performer to receive one in the Walk of Fame’s history, which dates back to 1960.
“This is surreal,” she said at the ceremony. “I have walked down this street many times. I’ve stepped on a lot of famous people, and now people get to step on me. Which feels strangely appropriate for show business.
What 45 Years Built
Salonga made her professional stage debut in 1978 with Repertory Philippines in a production of The King and I. She was seven years old.
In 1989 she originated the role of Kim in the London production of Miss Saigon at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. The role earned her the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical. When she reprised it on Broadway, she won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 1991 at 20. She was the first Asian actress to win a Tony in that category.
After Miss Saigon, she became the singing voice of Jasmine in Aladdin in 1992 and the title character in Mulan in 1998. She was named a Disney Legend in 2011.
Her other Broadway credits include Les Misérables, Flower Drum Song, Allegiance, Once on This Island, and Here Lies Love. In January 2026, she took on the role of Madame Thénardier in Les Misérables: The World Tour Spectacular.
The Ceremony
The ceremony drew hundreds of fans to Hollywood Boulevard. Brandy, Darren Criss, and Ming-Na Wen attended and spoke at the event. H.E.R., whose mother is from the Philippines, was also present.
Criss called Salonga an “unmatched force to be reckoned with.” Brandy described her voice as one that showed generations of children that “you are not outside the magic, you are in it.”
Three male celebrities of Filipino heritage, Bruno Mars, Apl.de.ap, and Rob Schneider, had previously received Walk of Fame stars. Salonga is the first Filipina.
She ended her speech looking past the crowd in front of her.
“I hope that someday a young Filipino kid comes to Hollywood, sees my name and thinks, ‘Oh, maybe I can get here too.’
Already Moving
On September 6, Salonga receives the Icon Award at the third annual Manila International Film Festival’s Closing Night Awards Gala at The Beverly Hilton.
She is also in the voice cast of DreamWorks’ animated feature Forgotten Island alongside Liza Soberano, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, and Jo Koy. Philippine cinemas get it September 23, North America on September 25.
She started at seven. She is still going.
