LEA SALONGA
The Voice Of A Generation
From the bustling streets of Manila to the bright lights of Broadway, Lea Salonga has captivated audiences worldwide with her mesmerizing voice and captivating performances. A true icon of musical theatre and beyond, Salonga’s journey is a testament to talent, perseverance, and the universal power of music.
In the Philippines, Salonga showed early signs of her exceptional talent. At just seven years old, she made her musical theater debut in The King and I with Repertory Philippines. This early start set the stage for what would become a legendary career spanning decades and continents.
Salonga’s big break came in 1989 when she was cast as Kim in the premiere production of Miss Saigon in London’s West End. Her portrayal of the young Vietnamese bar girl caught in the turmoil of the Vietnam War was nothing short of revolutionary. At just 18 years old, Salonga’s powerful vocals and emotionally charged performance earned her the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical, making her the first Asian woman to win in that category.
The success of Miss Saigon catapulted Salonga to international stardom. She reprised the role on Broadway in 1991, securing a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical—another historic first for an Asian performer. Salonga’s interpretation of Kim became the gold standard.
But Salonga’s talents weren’t confined to the stage. In 1992, she lent her voice to Disney’s animated classic Aladdin, singing as Princess Jasmine in the Oscar-winning duet “A Whole New World.” This was followed by another iconic Disney role in 1998 when she provided both the speaking and singing voice for Mulan in the film of the same name. These performances introduced Salonga’s remarkable voice to a whole new generation of fans and solidified her status as a Disney legend.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Salonga continued to make her mark on Broadway. She starred as Éponine in Les Misérables in 1993, becoming the first Asian actress to play the role on Broadway. Later, in 2007, she returned to the production as Fantine, showcasing her versatility and enduring appeal.
Salonga’s concert career has been equally impressive. She has performed for multiple U.S. Presidents, British royalty, and at prestigious venues around the world. Whether she’s belting out Broadway classics or putting her unique spin on contemporary pop hits, Salonga’s concerts are a masterclass in vocal technique and emotional delivery.
In recent years, Salonga has taken on new challenges, including serving as a coach on the Philippine version of The Voice. This role allowed her to mentor young talents and share her wealth of experience with a new generation of performers. She has also continued to push herself artistically, taking on roles in plays and exploring different musical genres in her concerts and recordings.
As she enters her fifth decade in the entertainment industry, Lea Salonga shows no signs of slowing down.
She continues to perform, record, and inspire audiences around the world. In fact, her new Christmas album is set to drop in the coming weeks.
As she continues to evolve as an artist and inspire new generations, one thing remains certain: Lea Salonga’s voice will echo through the annals of theater history for decades to come.
We met up with Lea Salonga recently to find out more about her pursuits and new Christmas album.
Looking back on your journey, what moment stands out as the most pivotal in shaping your career?
Throughout my career there have been many moments that I could consider pivotal. There was a Sunday mass that I attended with my mother while I was performing in Miss Saigon in the West End. After reading the gospel, the visiting priest said just two things in his entire homily: “We were all given gifts from God; use the gifts that God gave you.” My mother and I then looked at each other, totally struck. At that point I decided that no matter what happens my life would revolve around the theater.
You’ve been a trailblazer for Asian representation on Broadway. How have you seen this landscape change over your career?
At the earlier part of my career on Broadway, I found myself the only actor of color in shows (referring to playing Eponine in Les Miz on Broadway). Later, after around 15 years, I was cast as Fantine in Les Miz’s first Broadway revival. This time, I wasn’t the only actor of color, but rather one of many. I called it the United Colors of Les Misérables, it was so wonderful.
What I’d love to see more of though, are people of color in directing, producing and designing spaces. Spaces where we’re not always present. I laud folks like Tony winner Clint Ramos—one of the lead producers on the Broadway production of Here Lies Love—who are passionate about further pushing that envelope. He’s been quite a frequent colleague and marvelous friend.
How do you keep challenging yourself artistically at this stage in your career?
I’m currently performing in a wordless play titled Request sa Radyo based on Franz Xaver Kroetz’s 1973 play Wunschkonzert (Request Concert) and it’s quite a trip. Because it’s wordless, and I’m someone who has depended heavily on my singing or speaking voice for my whole life, having that taken away is challenging. But as I’ve been working on the play, I’ve found it liberating. There aren’t any obstacles between the audience and me; they get a direct line to what’s going on, and the silence becomes a co-star. It’s been a wonderful experience.
Tell us more about your Christmas album and what prompted you to do it. The short answer: I’m Filipino and the Christmas season at home spans all the months that end in -ber. My last Christmas album was in the early 2000s, so we all felt it was time to make a new one. There’s a big band, pop, jazz and traditional music represented, and it was a lot of fun to record. It took four years to do, since principal recording had to be halted due to COVID lockdowns in 2020, and we couldn’t pick back up until early 2024. I serve as one of the producers of this new record, and it’s been quite exciting filling this new responsibility.
For more information on Lea Salonga, visit leasalonga.com