Lea Salonga, a name beloved by musical theatre fans and Disney enthusiasts around the world, is set to make history once again—this time on the world’s most iconic sidewalk: the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2026, the Filipino singer and actress will officially receive a star in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the world of live performance.
What makes this moment truly special? Lea Salonga will be the first Filipino ever to receive this honor.
The official announcement came on July 3, 2025, from the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF), which also served as Salonga’s nominating body for the recognition.
In a social media post, MIFF stated that this acknowledgment goes beyond Salonga’s extraordinary talent—it celebrates what she represents: dedication, integrity, and the cultural pride of the Filipino people, all of which shine through in every performance she gives. Other major social media posts also congratulated her on this achievement.
From Miss Saigon to Mulan: The Legacy of Lea Salonga
Lea Salonga's international career began at a young age, but her breakthrough on the global stage came with her role as Kim in the hit musical Miss Saigon. The role catapulted her to worldwide fame and made her the first Asian woman to win a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role on Broadway.
This was followed by an Olivier Award, making her one of the few performers to be honored on both of the world’s top musical theatre stages: London’s West End and New York’s Broadway.
After Miss Saigon, Salonga expanded her stage repertoire. She portrayed Éponine—and later Fantine—in Les Misérables, roles traditionally not given to Asian actresses. Her presence on stage not only broke barriers for herself but also opened doors for countless aspiring Asian artists aiming for the global spotlight.
But her impact didn’t stop at the theatre. A whole generation grew up recognizing her voice as Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and Fa Mulan in Mulan. These iconic roles earned her the title of Disney Legend in 2011.
A Legacy That Continues to Evolve
Even today, Salonga remains an active and influential figure in entertainment. She appeared in the U.S. television series The Cleaning Lady, lent her voice to Netflix’s animated K-pop project Demon Hunters, and recently starred in Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, earning a nomination at the 2025 Drama League Awards.
And her journey is far from over. This August 2025, she will return to the Filipino stage in the musical Into the Woods, portraying The Witch—a complex, demanding role. What makes the performance even more special is that her son, Nic Chien, will join her onstage as Jack, making it a heartfelt family moment that fans in the Philippines are eagerly anticipating.
More Than Just a Star
Lea Salonga’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is more than a personal accolade—it is a cultural milestone and a symbol of Asian representation in the global entertainment industry. In a field where Asian artists are still often seen as the “minority,” Salonga’s career stands as proof that talent, hard work, and dedication can earn a place—even amid the glitz and fleeting trends of Hollywood.
It’s no wonder many consider the sidewalk where her name will be engraved to be a kind of cultural pilgrimage site—for musical theatre lovers, Disney fans, Southeast Asians, and younger generations who grew up singing “Reflection” or “A Whole New World” from cassette tapes and old VCDs.
What Is the Hollywood Walk of Fame?
For those unfamiliar, the Hollywood Walk of Fame is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world of entertainment. Launched in 1960, the path stretches 2.1 kilometers along Hollywood Boulevard and 0.64 kilometers along Vine Street in Los Angeles, California.
The sidewalk features more than 2,750 stars, each made from pink terrazzo with a brass border, engraved with the names of entertainment figures who have made significant contributions in film, television, music, radio, and live performance.
To receive a star, a nominee must be proposed by an organization or individual and undergo a rigorous selection process conducted by a special committee composed of previous star recipients. Once selected, the honoree has two years to schedule their official induction ceremony.
A Brief History of Asian Artists on the Walk of Fame
Despite being established more than six decades ago, the number of Asian or Asian-descendant artists honored with stars remains very limited. The first was Anna May Wong, the legendary Chinese-American actress who received her star in 1960. Since then, only a handful have followed.
Among them are Philip Ahn (1984), George Takei (1986), Keye Luke (1990), Bruce Lee (1993), Mako and Pat Morita (1994), Jackie Chan (2002), Keanu Reeves (2005), Ben Kingsley (2010), Toshiro Mifune (2016), Lucy Liu (2019), James Hong (2022), Ming-Na Wen and Mindy Kaling (2023), Michelle Yeoh and Ken Jeong (2024), and most recently, Lea Salonga and Deepika Padukone for the 2025–2026 class. Even the fictional Japanese monster character Godzilla received a star in 2004.
With Lea Salonga now part of this distinguished list, the presence of Asian artists on the Walk of Fame grows more diverse and meaningful—a clear indication that Asian representation on the global stage is not just growing, but taking center stage.
