FIRST FILIPINA TALA: Lea Salonga Makes History on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

‍LEA SALONGA is getting her star. And for Filipinos around the world, this one hits a little differently.

On September 4, Salonga will become the first full-blooded Filipina to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, earning the 2,855th star in the Live Performance category. The ceremony will take place on Hollywood Boulevard, with Emmy Award-winning journalist Sibley Scoles as emcee and actress Ming-Na Wen as a guest speaker.

The appearance by Wen feels especially fitting. The two actresses famously brought Disney’s Mulan to life, with Wen providing the character’s speaking voice and Salonga providing her singing voice, including the beloved “Reflection.”

But Salonga’s star represents much more than her Disney legacy.

Her career began in the Philippines as a child performer and grew into one of the most influential careers in musical theater. At 17, she took on the role of Kim in Miss Saigon, launching her international career and earning the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Her performance also earned her the Olivier, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Theatre World Awards.

She broke another barrier on Broadway as the first Asian actress to play Éponine in Les Misérables, later returning as Fantine in the musical’s 2006 revival. In 2026, she joined Les Misérables: The World Tour Spectacular as Madame Thénardier.

And then there’s the voice that raised a generation.

Salonga became the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and Fa Mulan in Mulan and Mulan II. Her contributions to Disney’s legacy eventually earned her the title of Disney Legend.

Nearly five decades into her career, Salonga is still adding to the résumé. She recently starred alongside Bernadette Peters in Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends and continues to perform for audiences around the world. She also stars in DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming Forgotten Island, premiering September 26.

The Hollywood Chamber calls Salonga a trailblazer whose career has inspired audiences around the world, noting that her recognition is a milestone for the Filipino community and generations of artists who will follow.

For a Filipina who has spent decades proving that our stories, voices, and talent belong on the world stage, having her name permanently placed along Hollywood Boulevard feels more than fitting.

This time, the star isn’t on a stage. It’s on Hollywood Boulevard.

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Reference
Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. (2026, August). Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to honor Broadway star Lea Salonga with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star: Making her the first Filipina to be honored with the coveted Hollywood star. Hollywood Walk of Fame.