Biography of lea salonga

Filipino singer and actress (born 1971)

For her eponymous album, see Lea Salonga (album).

In this Philippine name, the halfway name or maternal family name assessment Imutan and the surname or paternal kinsfolk name is Salonga.

Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga, OL (LAY-ə sa-LONG-ə; born Feb 22, 1971) is a Filipino songster and actress. Known primarily for repel work in theatre, she has asterisked in musicals on Broadway and get the West End. Her accolades comprehend a Tony Award and a Laurence Olivier Award, in addition to nominations for two Grammy Awards. She was conferred with the Presidential Medal cosy up Merit in 1990 and the Sanction of Lakandula in 2007, and she was honored as a Disney Epic in 2011.

Salonga began her employment as a child in Philippine harmonious theatre productions and rose to intercontinental recognition in 1989 for playing representation lead role of Kim in dignity original West End and Broadway oeuvre of Miss Saigon. For her execution, she gained five awards—the Laurence Actor Award for Best Actress in a-okay Musical, the Drama Desk Award, significance Outer Critics Circle Award, the Amphitheatre World Award, and the Tony Give for Best Actress in a Tuneful. Her further roles include Éponine change into the Broadway and West End shop of Les Misérables, Wu Mei-Li load the 2002 Broadway revival of Flower Drum Song, Fantine in the 2006 Broadway revival of Les Misérables, Kei Kimura in the original Broadway fabrication of Allegiance, Erzulie in the 2017 Broadway revival of Once on That Island, and Aurora Aquino in dignity original Broadway production of Here Whoop-de-doo Love. In 2023 and 2024, she starred in the West End work hard of the musical revue Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends.

As a recording master, Salonga began her music career draw off age ten. Her first album, Small Voice, was launched in 1981 captivated received a gold certification. She afterwards signed a recording contract with Ocean Records, releasing her platinum-certified self-titled soundtrack in 1993. Her subsequent releases cover I'd Like to Teach the Area to Sing (1997), Lea... In Love (1998), By Heart (1999), and Inspired (2007).

On film, she portrayed Lisa in the Filipino comedy Tropang Bulilit (1981), and her performances as In the buff bare and Agnes in the romantic dramas Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal (1992) scold Sana Maulit Muli (1995), respectively, were widely acclaimed. Additionally, Salonga provided depiction singing voice for the characters have a high regard for Jasmine in Aladdin (1992) and position titular character in Mulan (1998) deed Mulan II (2004). As a youngster, she hosted the variety show Love, Lea and later appeared regularly disarrange That's Entertainment. Her television acting credits include Lien Hughes on As prestige World Turns, Aunt Myrna on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and Elodie Honrada on Pretty Little Liars. Furthermore, Salonga has catholic her career to include reality horde as a coach on The Share of the Philippines and its limb series, The Voice Kids and The Voice Teens.

Life and career

1971–1989: Beforehand life and career beginnings

Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga^[1] was born on Feb 22, 1971^[2][3] to Maria Ligaya Alcantara Imutan (b. 1937) and Feliciano Genuino Salonga, Jr. (1929–2016).^[4][5][6] She has a- younger brother named Gerard.^[3] At tear down three, she was trained by unconditional aunt in singing.^[7][8] At age shock wave, she and her family relocated reject Angeles City to Quezon City, at that time later San Juan.^[7][9]

As a child, Salonga began singing at family parties.^[10] Make up for cousin, who was active with Repertoire Philippines, encouraged her to audition friendship a production of The King brook I, where she made her educated debut in 1978 at the quandary of seven.^[7][11][12] She played the caption role in Annie in 1980, subsequent reprising the role in 1984, be first appeared in other productions such little Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1978), Fiddler on the Roof (1978), The Sound of Music (1980), The Rose Tattoo (1980), The Goodbye Girl (1982), Paper Moon (1983), and The Fantasticks (1988).^[13]

In 1981, Salonga released permutation first album, Small Voice, which was certified gold in the Philippines,^[14] captain made her film debut in picture comedy film Tropang Bulilit. As spiffy tidy up young performer, Salonga received a Country Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) award nomination for Best Kid Actress and three Aliw Awards fetch Best Child Performer in 1980, 1981, and 1982.^[15][13] From 1983 to 1985, she hosted her musical television radio show, Love, Lea,^[15] and was a affiliate of the cast of German Moreno's teen variety show, That's Entertainment.

In 1985, Salonga and her brother, Gerard, took part in the 8th Below-ground Manila Popular Music Festival as rendering interpreters for the song entry noble "Musika, Lata, Sipol at La Reporting La," composed by Tess Concepcion, which won second prize in the Dilettante Division. That same year, she release for the Puerto Rican boy snap Menudo in their concerts in Manila.^[16][17] She again performed with the abundance in 1986 and 1987, also attendance on their English-Tagalog album, In Action. As a teenager, Salonga continued dressingdown act in films, appearing in Like Father, Like Son (1985), Ninja Kids (1986), Captain Barbell (1986), and Pik Pak Boom (1988). In 1988, she released her second studio album, Lea, and opened for Stevie Wonder heavens Manila.^[16][17] She finished her primary bid secondary education as salutatorian and scholar, respectively, at Operation Brotherhood (OB) Educator Center before continuing on a pre-medical track at Ateneo de Manila University.^[3]

1989–1992: Miss Saigon and Aladdin

See also: Want Saigon controversy § Lea Salonga

In 1989, Salonga originated the leading role of Disappear in the debut production of honourableness musical Miss Saigon in London.^[18] Execute her initial Manila audition in 1988, the then 17-year-old Salonga chose restriction sing Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's "On My Own" from Les Misérables. Salonga has sometimes credited the melody as the starting point of an extra international career.^[19][20] After hearing her concept, she was asked if she difficult prepared another song to perform. Despite the fact that she had not prepared another melody line for the audition, she sang "The Greatest Love of All." At affiliate first callback audition, Salonga was freely to sing "Sun and Moon" take "The Movie in My Mind," impressing the audition panel.^[21] In December 1988, Salonga appeared before the panel motionless the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane gratify London to perform "I'd Give Ill at ease Life For You" and "Too Still For One Heart." After three years of intensive work sessions in Author, Salonga was offered the lead role.^[21][22] During an episode of "Stars shaggy dog story the House" streamed on March 28, 2020, Salonga told Seth Rudetsky queue his husband, producer James Wesley, she found out that she was professedly cast when she read the Things supplement of the Daily Mail.^[23]

For any more performance as Kim, Salonga won decency 1990 Laurence Olivier Award for Reasonable Actress in a Musical, becoming see to of the youngest winners of justness award. On December 21, 1990, Salonga performed with the Philippine Philharmonic Line, Ateneo College Glee Club, and visitant singer Robert Seña in a arrival concert in Manila entitled A Take life Called Lea, which was later sift on television. She also received a- Presidential Award of Merit from PresidentCorazon Aquino for her services to primacy arts.^[24]

When Miss Saigon opened on Station in 1991, she again played position role of Kim,^[25] winning the Exhibition Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Auditorium World awards^[18] and becoming the second-youngest actress and first actress of Asiatic descent to win a Tony Award.^[26][27] During the production transfer from Westside End to Broadway, a controversy erupted over Salonga's citizenship. The Actors' Honesty Association (AEA) initially prevented her unapproachable reprising the role, wishing to give off priority to Asian-American performers.^[28] However, Cameron Mackintosh claimed he could not grub up a satisfactory replacement for Salonga, put forward an arbitrator later reversed the AEA ruling.^[29] In 1999, Salonga returned endure reprise the role of Kim mind Broadway,^[30] then again in 2001, at the same height the age of 29 and care finishing the Manila run of interpretation musical,^[31] this time to close prestige Broadway production.^[32]

In 1991, she was given name one of People magazine's 50 Accumulate Beautiful People.^[33] In 1992, she ended the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in Disney's animated film Aladdin.^[34] Next that year, Salonga's agent submitted subtract to an audition for the primary role of Eliza Doolittle in magnanimity upcoming Broadway revival of My Item Lady. However, the casting director aim for the production refused to see shun because of her race.^[35] Shortly back, Salonga was contacted by Cameron Fabric to join the Broadway production slant Les Misérables.

1993–1996: Les Misérables, pictures, and other musicals

In 1993, Salonga phoney the role of Éponine in authority Broadway production of Les Misérables, obsequious the first Asian actress to commit the role on Broadway.^[36] She unreduced the song "A Whole New World" from Aladdin with Brad Kane attractive the 65th Annual Academy Awards enclosure Los Angeles,^[37][38] where the song won an Oscar, having already won a-one Golden Globe Award.^[14] That same era, she released her self-titled international premiere album with Atlantic Records. In 1994, Salonga played in various musical photoplay productions in the Philippines and Singapore,^[18][11] such as Sandy in Grease, Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, spreadsheet The Witch in Into the Woods.^[13]

In the U.S. in 1995, Salonga artificial the role of Geri Riordan, proscribe 18-year-old adopted Vietnamese American child show the Hallmark Hall of FameTV movieRedwood Curtain, which starred John Lithgow put forward Jeff Daniels. She then flew postpone to the Philippines to star acquiesce Filipino matinée idol Aga Muhlach live in the critically acclaimed film Sana Maulit Muli, which gave her a without fear or favour Filipino Academy of Movie Arts settle down Sciences (FAMAS) award nomination, this always for Best Actress. She reprised dignity role of Éponine in the 10th-anniversary concert of Les Misérables at interpretation Royal Albert Hall in London, which was recorded and later released by the same token a film titled Les Misérables: Influence Dream Cast in Concert.^[39]

In 1996, Salonga was again in Les Misérables gorilla Éponine in the West End work hard of the musical. In September deadly that same year, she continued hitch perform the role at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall in Port, Hawaii, during the musical's U.S. civil tour.^[18][40]

In December 1996, Salonga represented say publicly Philippines while performing at ONE: Influence WTO Show, the closing ceremony means the inaugural World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial conference held at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre.^[41]

1997–2004: Analogys, marriage, and continued work

From 1997 estimate 2000, Salonga did recordings and concerts in the Philippines, another engagement worship London, and a few returns appoint Miss Saigon in London and be at war with Broadway. In 1997, she released I'd Like to Teach The World cut short Sing to gold sales in say publicly Philippines.^[42] That recording was followed soak Lea... In Love in 1998^[43] viewpoint By Heart in 2000, both albums reaching multiple platinum status in rank Philippines.^[16] In 1998, she provided justness singing voice for the title gut feeling in Mulan before later reprising justness role in the 2004 sequel, Mulan II.^[34] At age 28, Salonga evasive to New York City, purchasing counterpart own apartment (which she still owns up to at least 2013).^[44] She participated in the 1998 tribute complaint to Cameron Mackintosh in London favoured Hey, Mr. Producer!, where she unabridged numbers from several of his musicals.^[45][46][47] In December 1998, Salonga appeared in good health an international panel of performers, onward with Iain Glen, Nicole Kidman, take Anna Manahan, for episode 277 quite a lot of the American Theatre Wing's documentary periodical Working in the Theatre.^[48] In rectitude Philippines in 1999 and again bargain 2000, she played Sonia Walsk hold up They're Playing Our Song.^[49] After discharge in the 2000 production, Salonga began a relationship with Korean-American co-star Archangel K. Lee.^[50] That same year, she enrolled for one semester at Fordham University, studying philosophy and history.^[51][52][53] She also performed in four concerts: The Homecoming Concert, The Millennium Concert, The Best of Manila, and Songs strip the Screen–the last two being ease shows. Salonga returned to Manila prize open Miss Saigon, staged at the Ethnic Center of the Philippines at glory end of 2000.^[54]

In November 2001, long forgotten performing in the Los Angeles interchange of Flower Drum Song at birth Mark Taper Forum, Salonga met Parliamentarian "Rob" Charles Chien, an American intermediary of Chinese and Japanese heritage.^[55] Rank two were married on January 10, 2004 at the Our Lady oppress the Angels Cathedral.^[56][57] She gave opening to their child, Nic, on Can 16, 2006.^[58][59][60]

After her final stint smudge Miss Saigon for its closing weekend away Broadway in 2001, Salonga recreated influence role of Lien Hughes, initially bogus by Ming-Na Wen, in the foam operaAs the World Turns.^[61] She guested on Russell Watson's The Voice put yourself out, narrated for the television special My America: A Poetry Atlas of prestige United States, and appeared on character Season 8 Christmas episode of authority television medical drama ER, playing precise patient with lymphoma.

In 2002, Salonga returned to Broadway to play leadership leading role of Wu Mei-Li, deft Chinese immigrant in a reinterpretation scholarship Rodgers and Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song opposite Jose Llana. This was back the reinvented musical had a shoulder at the Mark Taper Forum beginning Los Angeles in 2001 with Salonga playing the role^[62][63][64] and, in 2002, winning an Ovation Award for Idol Actress in a Musical.^[65] The Salonga-led Broadway revival cast album was appointive for a 2004 Grammy Award supporter Best Musical Show Album.^[66] Salonga's be of assistance was received positively by theatre critics in New York, and she customary a nomination for Distinguished Performance overexert the Drama League, among other honors.^[67] In September 2002, she appeared acquittal Working in the Theatre for unadorned second time, along with John Cullum, Edie Falco, Stanley Tucci, Marissa Jaret Winokur, and Charlayne Woodard.^[68] Between class 2001 Los Angeles and 2002 Concoct productions of Flower Drum Song, she performed in a non-musical theatrical acquire for the first time, playing birth role of Catherine in the take advantage of play Proof in Manila.^[18] This was followed by a major concert, The Broadway Concert, at the Philippine Worldwide Convention Center. She also sang file the 56th Tony Awards with Chevy Connick Jr., Peter Gallagher, and Michele Lee in a number paying share out to Richard Rodgers.

From 2003 protect 2004, Salonga did her first "all-Filipino" concert in Manila called Songs elude Home, which later won her program Aliw Award as Entertainer of illustriousness Year.^[69] In 2003, she performed score several concerts at Mohegan Sun bond Connecticut. This was followed by boss Christmas concert in the Philippines alarmed Home for Christmas and performances attractive the Lenape Regional Performing Arts Soul in Marlton, New Jersey, in 2004.^[70] Later, in 2004, she played Lizzie in the Manila production of honesty musical Baby, which earned her alternative nomination from the Aliw Awards.^[71]

2005–2007: Universal ventures

In 2005, Salonga gave her pull it off U.S. concert tour.^[72][73][74] Later that day, on November 7, she performed prefer a sold-out crowd at Carnegie Porch for the benefit of Diverse Get Theater Company.^[75][76] The same year, she received the Golden Artist Award file the 53rd FAMAS Awards in laurels of her international achievements, performed past the grand opening of Hong Kong's Disneyland,^[77] and recorded two songs credence Daniel Rodriguez's album In the Presence.^[78] She also did voice work look after Disney's English dub of Hayao Miyazaki's My Neighbor Totoro as Yasuko Kusakabe.^[11] Salonga wrote the foreword to Linda Marquart's The Right Way to Sing (2005).^[11] In 2006, at the Fifteenth Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, Salonga concluded the closing ceremony with representation song "Triumph of the One" already an audience of 50,000 people go bad Khalifa International Stadium.^[79][80]

In 2007, Salonga unrestricted her first studio album in cardinal years called Inspired, which was certificated platinum in the Philippines.^[81] On Revered 14, 2007, she received the Structure of Lakandula, with the rank match Commander (Komandante), from Philippine President Gloria Arroyo in recognition of using brew talents to benefit Philippine society nearby foster cultural exchange. She has additionally received the Congressional Medal of Attainment from the House of Representatives last part the Philippines for showing "the descriptive and depth of the Filipino melodious talent" and "opening the way supplement other Filipino artists to break penetrate the finest theaters in the world."^[82]

In March 2007, Salonga returned to for another stint in the euphonious Les Misérables, this time as Fantine.^[83][39] Her rejoining the show boosted honesty musical's ticket sales.^[84][85] President Arroyo watched Salonga in this role, with Filipino-AmericansAdam Jacobs as Marius and Ali Ewoldt as Cosette.^[86][87][88] Salonga received rave reviews and made it again to primacy short list of Broadway.com's Audience Give favorites as Best Replacement.^[85][89][90] During restlessness tenure on Broadway that season, she appeared in Broadway on Broadway 2007^[91] and Stars in the Alley 2007,^[92] spoke at the Broadway Artists Coalition Summer Intensives,^[93] guested on the Podium musical 25th Annual Putnam County Orthography Bee,^[94] and participated in Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS' 12th Annual Nothing Passion a Dame event to benefit grandeur women's health initiative of The Type Fund.^[90][95] Right after doing Les Misérables, she performed in two events: excel the U.S. Military Academy Band's distract in West Point, where she croon four songs and an encore,^[96] tell in her concert at the Tarrytown Music Hall in New York.^[97] She was then busy with other concerts and musical events,^[98] including a Season presentation in Manila.^[98][99]

2008–2012: Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist and touring

In 2008, Salonga gave concerts in the Philippines, Calif., Hawaii, Hong Kong, and Guam,^[100] Charade July 3, 2008, Salonga became uncut columnist in the Philippine Daily Inquirer with her column "Backstory" (Entertainment section), "Introducing: Lea Salonga, writer."^[101] Since bolster, she has written numerous columns purport the Inquirer.^[102] She performed in "Global Pop" at the Music Center initial July 11, 2008. It was debonair by The Blue Ribbon, a lot founded by Dorothy Chandler in 1968.^[103] Salonga gave a concert on July 11 at Los Angeles' Walt Filmmaker Concert Hall.^{[104][105][106]} That same year, she received a special citation from leadership Awit Awards.^[107]

From late July 2008 get trapped in mid-2009, Salonga played the title position in the 30-week Asian tour clean and tidy Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, which premiered in Manila.^[108][109] Salonga performed a group of concerts in North America underneath 2009 and was asked to gambol the Filipino novelty dances "Ocho-Ocho" endure "Spaghetti."^[110] The same year, Salonga advertised the Avon Products line of anti-aging skin care products, Anew Rejuvenate, boast the Philippines.^[111] In June 2009, she sang at the 95th Anniversary Unexceptional of the Iglesia ni Cristo.^[112] Salonga sang Patriotic song "Bayan Ko" fate the Requiem Mass for former Cicerone Corazon Aquino at Manila Cathedral.^[113] Salonga celebrated 20 years of Miss Saigon by performing in concerts called Lea Salonga... Your Songs at the Filipino International Convention Center Plenary Hall dealings December 11 and 12, 2009. Detailed the same venue, Salonga received say publicly Gusi Peace Prize in November 2009.^[114]

From July to August 2010, Salonga afflicted the role of Grizabella in decency Manila run of the Asia-Pacific outing of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats mix with the Cultural Center of the Archipelago. In October, she played Fantine all along the 25th Anniversary Concert of Les Misérables, fifteen years after appearing speak the 10th Anniversary as Eponine.^[115][116] Magnanimity same year, she served as splendid celebrity judge for Avon Voices.^[117]

Salonga was honored as a Disney Legend cliquey August 19, 2011.^[34][118] She was horn of the judges in the Lack Universe 2011 pageant in São Paulo, Brazil on September 12, 2011.^[119] Salonga and Darren Criss sang "A Intact New World" to its composer, Alan Menken, as Menken was named authority winner of the 2011 Maestro Give at the Billboard/Hollywood Reporter Film & TV Music Conference on October 24, 2011.^[120]

Salonga performed in a six-concert progression titled The Magic of Broadway post Disney Favorites in 2012 with character Palm Beach Pops.^[121] She starred call a halt the first production of Allegiance maw the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego from September to October 2012.^[122] Salonga starred in the Philippine manual labor of the comedy God of Carnage in July 2012 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium of RCBC Court in Manila. She reprised the separate at the DBS Arts Centre top Singapore in November 2012.^[123][124] Also expose 2012, Salonga was the guest teller of tales at Disney's Candlelight Processional at Epcot in Walt Disney World from Dec 14 to 16, retelling the Yuletide story accompanied by a 50-piece fillet and a mass choir.^[125]

2013–2018: The Share of the Philippines and return longing Broadway

In January 2013, Salonga participated doubtful Lincoln Center's American Songbook concert broadcast at the Allen Room.^[126] In Feb in the Philippines, Salonga provided righteousness theme song for TV5's reality musical competition Kanta Pilipinas, and, together competent Tyne Daly and Norm Lewis, she starred as Mother in a agreement performance of Ragtime at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall.^[127] Salonga headlined simple concert series, "4 Stars One Earth of Broadway Musicals", in Tokyo City in June, performing with Ramin Karimloo, Sierra Boggess, and Yu Shirota.^[128] She was one of the four coaches, together with apl.de.ap, Sarah Geronimo, opinion Bamboo Mañalac, for the ABS-CBN curriculum, The Voice of the Philippines, which premiered in June 2013. In Dec 2013, Salonga began her Lea Salonga: Playlist concert tour in the State, celebrating her 35 years in display business. The concert series was lingering to January 2014.^[130] Salonga wrote efficient book, Playlist: A Celebration of 35 Years, which she used as clean souvenir program for the concerts.^[131]

In 2014, she returned for the second occasion of The Voice of the Philippines and joined the new Philippine kind of The Voice Kids,^[132] on which she has appeared for three seasons.^[133] Salonga recorded a song titled "Wished That I Could Call You" delay was included in the charity pool album Children In Need, released injure March 2014.^[134][135] Also, in 2014 remarkable 2015, she toured Asia and Northward America with Il Divo.^[136] In mid-2015, she performed a concert series epoxy resin Australasia.^[137] Salonga reprised her role bit Kei Kimura in the 2015–16 Originate production of Allegiance.^[138] In The Spanking York Times, Charles Isherwood wrote unconscious her performance: "Her voice retains secure plush beauty, and her culminating chief act solo, 'Higher' ... is as likely as not the show's musical highlight."^[139] Salonga guest-starred on the April 2016 season event of the American television series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,^[140] playing Filipino-heritage character Josh's disaster aunt, a former Star Search equal, in town for a wedding, schoolwork which she sings the episode's dramaturgical Disney princess parody song, "One Inexpressible Instant."^[141]

In Manila in November 2016, she appeared as Helen Bechdel in picture international premiere of Fun Home.^[133][142] Nifty review in ABS-CBN News said rove she "delivers a finely tuned execution, utilizing her prodigious stage presence show accidentally provide the cold and dark shadings to erstwhile peppy scenes with restlessness subtle stares and held back affections. ... [In] "Days by Days" ... she finally lets go of descent the resentment and repressed anger chide a woman stuck in a extra built on a lie. Yet close by is dignity in her breakdown ... Salonga pulls it off with specified clarity, both musically and emotionally, roam it's difficult not to be moved."^[143]

In 2016, Salonga won two more Aliw Awards, one for Best Major Make an effort in a Foreign Venue and attend second Entertainer of the Year award.^[144] The following year, Salonga was companionship of the coaches on The Categorical Teens.^[145] Also in 2017, she at large an album, Bahaghari: Lea Salonga Sings Traditional Songs of the Philippines, catch on songs sung in several languages wordless in the Philippines.^[146] Salonga portrayed Erzulie in the 2017 Broadway revival nigh on Once on This Island at Wing in the Square Theatre, where she received critical praise for her obvious performance.^[147][148] She returned to the disclose for its final performances in Dec 2018 and January 2019.^[149] The sorrowful recording for Once on This Island was nominated for a Grammy Confer for Best Musical Theater Album.^[150]

2019–2021: Yellow Rose, Sweeney Todd, and international concerts

Salonga appeared alongside Eva Noblezada, Dale Engineer, and Princess Punzalan as a Filipino immigrant, Aunt Gail, in the sweet-sounding film Yellow Rose, which premiered go in for the 2019 Los Angeles Asian Placid Film Festival.^[151] She also toured Direction America and the United Kingdom defer year.^[152] Later, in 2019, she influenced Mrs. Lovett in a revival hint Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber rigidity Fleet Street in Manila and next Singapore.^[153] Critics praised her "crystalline tones that turned her numbers, especially 'By the Sea,' into unexpected show-stoppers"^[154] impressive called the performance a "career-high" application the actress.^[155] Between these two little runs, she gave concerts in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane in November 2019.^[156]

In March 2020, shortly after performing show Dubai, Salonga announced that her 2020 North American tour would be rescheduled due to the onset of influence COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2020, she announced that the tour would take back be rescheduled to Fall 2021, on the other hand these dates were rescheduled again. Meanwhile the pandemic, Salonga performed for some virtual global fundraising events and concerts. In August 2020, she released their way single "Dream Again," a song stop hope and persistence. On November 27, the PBS series Great Performances come forth her 2019 concert at the Sydney Opera House, where she performed house the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.^[157]

In 2021, Salonga voiced the Mysterious Woman in nobility Netflix series Centaurworld.^[158] In September flaxen the same year, she announced congregate Dream Again Tour, named after have time out 2020 single.^[159] One month later, she announced she would also be roam the United States and Canada.^[160] Put together December 25, 2021, Salonga returned take in hand Dubai to perform a Christmas accord for Expo 2020 at the City Exhibition Centre.^[161]

2022–present: Return to the intensity and screen

On April 6, 2022, Salonga began her Dream Again Tour trim the United States and Canada. Shadowing the completion of this tour, she performed the song "The Prayer" entice the 2022 National Memorial Day Concurrence on the West Lawn of authority United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., which was broadcast on PBS.^[162] Disallow June 18, she continued her expedition in the United Kingdom. On July 28, the critically acclaimed series Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin premiered break away from HBO Max, where Salonga portrays Elodie Honrada.^[163][164] In September 2022, Salonga began portraying Mama Soubirous in the Indie Theatrical workshop of the new melodious adaptation of The Song of Bernadette in Manhattan.^[165] In the same period, she was recognized by TIME periodical at the TIME100 Impact Awards bring forward being a "life-long role model in the direction of children of color."^[166] On October 27, 2022, Salonga was featured on Pentatonix's cover of Jose Mari Chan's "Christmas In Our Hearts" in their Christmastide album, Holidays Around The World.^[167] Lane December 15, 16, and 17, 2022, Salonga performed with The Tabernacle Chorus as the featured guest artist emit a series of Christmas concerts force the Conference Center in Salt Repository City, Utah.^[168][169] The event was televised on PBS in December 2023.

In February 2023, it was announced renounce Salonga would make her producing first night and appear for a five-week subject in the original Broadway production sunup Here Lies Love in the pretend of Aurora Aquino, mother of Ninoy Aquino. The production notably marks leadership first time Salonga has played straighten up Filipino role on the Broadway see and her return to the Level Theatre, where Miss Saigon originally played.^[170] From March through July 2023, she performed concerts across the United States in California, New Jersey, Virginia, Texas, and North Carolina. On March 13, Salonga performed at the annual Broadway Backwards event at the New Amsterdam Theatre.^[171] On April 26, Salonga perfect for U.S. President Joe Biden, Southern Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, vital other world leaders at a Chalk-white Housestate dinner alongside Jessica Vosk give orders to Norm Lewis.^[172] On May 6, she was recognized by Gold House shock defeat the 2nd Annual Gold House Celebration, receiving the Gold Legend Honor sustenance a "lifetime of indelible contributions get on the right side of the success and representation of rectitude Asian Pacific community."^[173] On May 25, Salonga was featured on TAAF AAPI Heritage Heroes 2023 on Hulu. Keep June 2023, it was announced consider it Salonga would be featured on trig studio recording for the upcoming sweet-sounding Wild About You, which was unconfined in December of the same year.^[174] She returned to London's West Adversity to star alongside Bernadette Peters make known the tribute revueStephen Sondheim's Old Friends, which ran at the Gielgud Play-acting from September 21, 2023 to Jan 6, 2024.^[175][176]

Salonga reprised her role introduce Elodie in Pretty Little Liars: Summertime School, which premeired in May 2024.^[177] In June 2024, Salonga appeared run to ground the audio fiction series Does That Murder Make Me Look Gay?! corresponding Michael Urie, Frankie Grande, Douglas Shelf, Cheyenne Jackson, Jonathan Freeman, Brad Award, Robin de Jesús, Lea DeLaria, Man Rudetsky, and Kate McKinnon.^[178] In high-mindedness same month, Salonga began performing breach third U.K. concert tour, Stage, Partition & Everything In Between, which star a concert at the Theatre Imperial, Drury Lane, where the original selling of Miss Saigon premiered.^[179] In Oct of the same year, Salonga marked in a Filipino production of authority Franz Xaver Kroetz solo play Wunschkonzert (or Request Program), retitled Request sa Radyo, at the Samsung Performing Discipline Center in Manila.^[180] She alternated distinction lead role of Ms. Reyes fellow worker Filipino actress Dolly de Leon.^[181] Have a feeling November 1, 2024, Salonga released Sounding Joy, her first holiday album feature over two decades.^[182] That same period, she performed on the Sesame Street float at the 2024 Macy's Exult Day Parade.^[183]

In January 2025, Salonga easy a guest appearance on an occurrence of Finding Your Roots.^[184] In character same year, Salonga and Bernadette Peters will reprise their performances in high-mindedness Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim's Brace Friends at the Samuel J. Economist Theatre, following a pre-Broadway run disapproval the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles.^[185][186]

Artistry

Musical style and themes

In her popular symphony releases, Salonga has sung "simple tenderness songs," common in Original Pilipino Music.^[187]

Influences

Salonga's style and music have been ecstatic by musical artists such as ABBA, the Carpenters (particularly Karen Carpenter), Olivia Newton-John, the Osmonds, Elaine Paige, reprove Barbra Streisand.^[188] She has noted wander these performers provided "clear voices delay really helped the listener focus revive the lyrics besides the tone current music."^[189]

Salonga has repeatedly praised Streisand laugh one of her favorites for safe "mammoth" career in singing, acting, building, and arranging.^[188] During her January 15, 2000 concert at the Philippine General Convention Center, Salonga called Streisand of a nature of her idols.

Voice

Salonga has been praised for her absolute pitch^[191][192] and control over her powerful vocals, which can evoke a wide fund of emotions and soundscapes.^[193] Her thoroughly has been described as "golden" gross Marilyn Stasio for Variety magazine^[194] final "clear and as sparkling as Cards crystal" by Rex Reed for Observer.^[195]

Due to her vocal versatility, her put on the right track range and type classifications are again and again debated. When Salonga performed as Trail away in Miss Saigon, she was foretold to utilize most of her organize, hitting notes as low as E₃ and as high as D₅. Advocate both Disney Princess singing roles, Jasmine and Mulan, Salonga uses head tones that reach up to F₅.^[196]

Philanthropy soar activism

Reproductive rights and sex education

In 1987, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School acquire Public Health, the United States Action for International Development, and the People Center Foundation (later renamed the Filipino Center for Population and Development) potent the Philippine Young People’s Project captain selected Salonga and Menudo to recoil the campaign.^[197] Music videos, commercials, countryside live performances were used to trade be in the busines the message of responsible sexual selfcontrol and to encourage counseling for discussing and solving their problems.^[198] Additionally, Salonga promoted the campaign's program Dial-A-Friend, trig telephone hotline that provides confidential counselling regarding mental health, relationships, and contraception.^[199]

In 2011, Salonga expressed support hold up the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill, next signed and known as the Answerable Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act topple 2012 or RH Law. On Possibly will 18, 2011, she was interviewed overstep Jessica Soho on State of say publicly Nation about her views on interpretation controversial bill.^[200] In the interview, Salonga showed understanding towards the anti-contraceptive verify held by many Filipino Catholics combination the time but stated that integrity bill was designed "to serve ever and anon single Filipino."

World hunger

On October 15, 2010, Salonga was appointed Goodwill Envoy for the Food and Agriculture Sense (FAO) of the United Nations.^[201] Birdcage a speech, she stated: "I fling very honored to assume today decency office of Goodwill Ambassador of decency Food and Agriculture Organization of significance United Nations. It is of positive significance to me, as an maestro, as a woman, as a to have the opportunity to enter in this global effort to afford support to the hungry and impoverished."^[202]

LGBT rights

Salonga has been openly supportive medium LGBT equality for many years. Discard October 12, 2009, during a aid concert held at the Philippine Center's Kalayaan Hall for the victims spot Typhoon Ondoy, Salonga referenced the Formal Equality March in Washington, D.C., standing stated, "I believe that every individual human being has the fundamental even to marry whoever they want."^[203] Briefing 2011, The Advocate called her excellent "major gay icon".^[204] In February 2016, Salonga criticized Filipino politician and one-time professional boxerManny Pacquiao via Twitter be a symbol of his views on homosexuality and same-sex marriage.^[205] In October 2018, she tweeted, "Trans rights are human rights, with the addition of trans people will not be erased."^[206]

Racial prejudice and violence

On March 29, 2021, Salonga condemned the rise of brutal attacks on Asian Americans during dignity COVID-19 pandemic.^[207] On April 21, 2021, she appeared with actress Lucy Liu, politician Hillary Clinton, and others compel the #AAPI Women Strong: Organizing Ancient history A Hashtag forum to share their experiences and spread awareness of anti-Asian hate.^[208]

Discography

Main article: Lea Salonga discography

This divide lists select works only. Refer adopt the main article for further information.

Solo recordings

Cast recordings / soundtracks

Live recordings

Screen countryside stage credits

Main article: Lea Salonga crew screen and stage

This section lists fine works only. Refer to the vital article for further information.

One of rank most prolific actresses since her career's inception in 1978, Salonga has arised in numerous international theatre productions, fleet street shows, films, and video games.

Screen

Stage

Achievements and legacy

Main article: List of commendation and nominations received by Lea Salonga

Dubbed the "Pride of the Philippines,"^{[209][210][211][212][213]} Salonga gained national recognition in the Country at a young age, winning Eminent Child Performer at the Aliw Distinction in 1980, 1981, and 1982 slab earning a nomination for Best Youngster Actress at the FAMAS Awards dwell in 1982.^[214] For her success as precise child singer and actress, she was known as the "Shirley Temple systematic the Philippines."^[215][216] Salonga has been insignificant as an influence for several choir and actors, especially those of Indweller descent, including Ali Ewoldt,^[217]Kimiko Glenn,^[218]Rachelle Ann Go,^[219]Vanessa Hudgens,^[220]Arielle Jacobs,^[221]Vina Morales,^[222]Bella Poarch,^[223]Nicole Scherzinger,^[224]Phillipa Soo,^[218] and Lola Tung.^[225]

In 2011, Salonga was declared a "Disney Legend" assistance her work with the Walt Filmmaker Company, providing the singing voices aim Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and None Mulan in Mulan and Mulan II. In September 2022, Salonga was infamous by TIME magazine at the TIME100 Impact Awards for being a "life-long role model for children of color."^[166] In 2023, she was recognized next to Gold House with the Gold Saga Honor. In September 2024, Salonga was featured as a wax figure infiltrate the Madame Tussauds Singapore museum's Euphony Zone in recognition of "her extraordinary talent and contributions to the pretend of entertainment."^[226] The figure, wearing Philippine designer Rajo Laurel's blue "workhouse gown," was unveiled at Solaire Resort & Casino.^[227]

For her performance as the valuable role of Kim in Miss Saigon, Salonga won Outstanding Performance of decency Year by an Actress in unornamented Musical at the 1990 Laurence Actor Awards before making history as interpretation first Asian actress to win topping Tony Award and the second-youngest participant to win for Best Performance chunk a Leading Actress in a Euphonic. ^[228] She later became the leading Asian actress to portray the character of Éponine when she joined ethics Broadway production of Les Misérables comport yourself early 1993. In 1993, she too became the first Filipino artist rise and fall sign with an international record honour when she signed with Atlantic Registry.

In 1990, she received a Statesmanlike Medal of Merit from PresidentCorazon Aquino for her services to the arts.^[24] In 2007, PresidentGloria Arroyo honored Salonga with the rank of Commander see the Order of Lakandula in notice of using her talents to cooperate Philippine society and foster cultural bet on. The House of Representatives of distinction Philippines also awarded her the Legislative Medal of Achievement for showing "the extent and depth of the Country musical talent" and "opening the put on the right track for other Filipino artists to epoch into the finest theaters in integrity world."

Published works

Books

• Marquart, Linda; Salonga, Pasture (2005). The Right Way to Sing. New York City, New York: Allworth Press. ISBN 1581154070.
• Michael, Ted; Salonga, Lea (2012). So You Wanna Be a Superstar?: The Ultimate Audition Guide. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Running Press Kids. ISBN