USA
Lea Salonga Makes History as First Filipina Honored With Hollywood Walk of Fame Star: Tony Award-winning actress and singer Lea Salonga was honored with the 2,855th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, becoming the first Filipina to receive a star on the iconic Hollywood landmark. The star was dedicated in the Live Performance category at 6255 Hollywood Boulevard, in front of the Pantages Theatre.
The historic ceremony celebrated Salonga’s decades-long career in theater, film, television and music and was attended by members of the Filipino community, fellow performers, friends and fans. Emmy Award-winning sports and entertainment journalist Sibley Scoles served as emcee, while actress and fellow Walk of Famer Ming-Na Wen joined the ceremony as a guest speaker.
Salonga and Wen shared a special connection through Disney’s Mulan, with Salonga providing the singing voice for Fa Mulan while Wen voiced the character. Salonga was also widely recognized for providing the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and was later named a Disney Legend for her contributions to the beloved animated films.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce described Salonga as a trailblazer whose extraordinary talent and decades-long career had inspired audiences around the world. The honor represented a milestone for Salonga as well as the Filipino community and generations of artists who followed her career.
Salonga became internationally known for her Tony Award-winning performance as Kim in Miss Saigon. She also received Olivier, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Theatre World Awards. She made history as the first Asian actress to play Éponine in Les Misérables on Broadway and later returned to the production as Fantine.
Her Broadway credits also included Once on This Island, Here Lies Love, Allegiance and Flower Drum Song. In January 2026, she took on the role of Madame Thénardier in Les Misérables: The World Tour Spectacular. Her performance in Once on This Island was part of the production that won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, while the cast also received a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album.
Beyond Broadway, Salonga built an extensive international career through concerts, recordings, television and film. She appeared in Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin and Yellow Rose and contributed her voice to productions including Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters and Centaurworld, as well as FX’s Little Demon.
Salonga had also performed at major venues around the world, including the Sydney Opera House, London’s O2 Arena, Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, Carnegie Hall in New York, Singapore’s Esplanade and venues in Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. Her 2025 Stage, Screen & Everything In Between Tour and 2022 Dream Again Tour drew sold-out audiences across North America and the United Kingdom.
Her career extended beyond entertainment, including judging roles on The Voice Philippines and The Voice Kids. She released multiple solo albums and performed internationally with Il Divo. Her latest album, Sounding Joy – The Holiday Album, was released in November 2024.
Following the Walk of Fame ceremony, Salonga was also honored with the Icon Award at the third annual Manila International Film Festival Closing Night Awards Gala on September 6 at The Beverly Hilton. The Manila International Film Festival, a member of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, had nominated Salonga for consideration by the Hollywood Walk of Fame Committee.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame honor added another milestone to Salonga’s 45-year career and marked a significant moment for Filipino representation in Hollywood.
