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Lea Salonga

Birth Place: Manila, PHILIPPINES

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BIO

Multiple award-winning actress and singer Lea Salonga is renowned across the world for her powerful voice and perfect pitch. She is best known for her Tony Award winning role in Miss Saigon. In addition to the Tony, she has won the Olivier, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Theatre World Awards, in the field of musical theatre. She was also the first Asian to play Eponine in the musical Les Miseìrables on Broadway and returned to the beloved show as Fantine in the 2006 revival. Many fans of all ages recognize Lea as the singing voice of Princess Jasmine from Aladdin and Fa Mulan for Mulan and Mulan II. For her portrayal of the beloved princesses, the Walt Disney Company bestowed her with the honor of “Disney Legend”.





Currently, Lea serves as a judge on the Philippines hit version of “The Voice” including the ratings juggernaut “The Voice Kids”. Mitoy Yonting, a member of Team Lea, was named the first season winner.



Lea’s 2019 The Human Heart Tour saw sold-out audiences and record-breaking sales across North America and the United Kingdom. On Broadway, Lea most recently starred in the 2018 Broadway revival of Once on This Island as the Goddess of Love, Erzulie. The show’s return to the Broadway stage earned a Tony Award for “Best Revival of a Musical” and also garnered Lea and the cast a Grammy nomination for “Best Musical Theater Album.”



In the fall of 2015 Lea began her critically acclaimed run as Kei Kimura in the Broadway production of Allegiance. The musical, inspired and developed by legendary actor George Takei, tells the story of a Japanese American family forced into an internment camp during World War II. Lea garnered a Craig Noel nomination for Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical for her performance in the Old Globe production and can be heard on the show’s original cast album. Following this, Lea made a guest appearance on the hit CW television show Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.



Lea has toured all over the world, performing sold out concerts in such locations as the Sydney Opera House, 02 Arena, Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, Singapore’s Esplanade , Kuala Lumpur Convention Center, Hong Kong Cultural Center ), Queen Sirikit Convention Center in Bangkok and Carnegie Hall in New York.She was also the first artist to sell out two shows at Brigham Young University’s deJong Concert Hall in Provo, Utah since The Kings Singers in 2009.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2025
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2023
Aurora Aquino [Replacement]

[Los Angeles]
Hollywood Bowl Production, 2018
Grace Farrell

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2017
Erzulie [Replacement]

Erzulie

[International Tour]
Manila Return Engagement, 2017
Helen

[International Tour]
International Premiere in Manila, 2016
Helen

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2015
Kei Kimura

[Broadway]
Return Engagement [Broadway], 2006
Fantine [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2002
Mei-Li

[Broadway]
Richard Rodgers 100th Birthday Celebration, 2002
"Love, Look Away" Performer

[Broadway]
Broadway Production, 1991
Kim

Kim [Replacement]

Kim [Replacement]

Kim

[West End]
Original London Production, 1989
Kim

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1987
Eponine [Replacement]

Productions

 
[Broadway, 2023]
Producer

Movies

Tropang bulilit
[ 1981 ] Lisa
Like Father, Like Son
[ 1985 ] Angela
Captain Barbell
[ 1986 ] Rosemarie
Ninja Kids and the Samurai Sword
[ 1986 ] Yoko
My Neighbor Totoro
[ 1988 ] Mrs. Kusakabe
Aladdin
[ 1992 ] Jasmine's Singing Voice
Second Chances
[ 1995 ] Agnes
Mulan
[ 1998 ] Mulan's Singing Voice
Les Misérables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary
[ 2010 ] Fantine
George Takei's Allegiance
[ 2016 ] Kei Kimura
Miss Saigon: 25th Anniversary
[ 2016 ]
Yellow Rose
[ 2019 ] Gail

TV Shows

Les Misérables the Dream Cast in Concert
Eponine
Redwood Curtain
Geri Riordan
ER
Amparo
Sofia the First
[ 2013-2014 ] Mulan, Jasmine
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Aunt Myrna
Little Demon
Amalia, Dia
Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin
Elodie Honrada

Awards and Nominations


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2018 - Best Featured Actress in a Musical

Lea Salonga, Once on this Island


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2016 - Best Leading Actress in a Musical

Lea Salonga, Allegiance


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1991 - Outstanding Actress - Musical

Lea Salonga, Miss Saigon


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1991 - Best Actress - Musical

Lea Salonga, Miss Saigon


winner
Theatre World Awards - 1991 - Performance

Lea Salonga, Miss Saigon


winner
Tony Awards - 1991 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Lea Salonga , Miss Saigon


winner
Olivier Awards - 1990 - Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical

Lea Salonga, Miss Saigon

Videos

News


Video: Lea Salonga, Dolly De Leon, & Clint Ramos of REQUEST SA RADYO in Conversation

Watch Lea Salonga, Dolly De Leon, & Clint Ramos of REQUEST SA RADYO in Makati City, the Philippines, in conversation in the video here.
New Musical WILD ABOUT YOU Sets Fall Developmental Workshop; Lili-Anne Brown to Direct

Keaka Productions, LLC (Brian Spector), producer of the new musical Wild About You by Chilina Kennedy and Eric Holmes, has announced the engagement of award-winning director Lili-Anne Brown and a two-week developmental workshop and industry presentations in late September/early October.
Rachel Zegler, Jordan Fisher, John Gallagher Jr. Will Join Darren Criss for Elsie Fest 2024

The full line-up has been announced for Elsie Fest 2024 and we have all of the details!
Darren Criss' Elsie Fest to Return in September

Darren Criss has revealed that Elsie Fest will return in September. Learn more about Elsie Fest!
DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING? Celebrates 50 Years of Schönberg-Boublil Musicals

This year, the musical tandem of Claude-Michel Schönberg, composer, and Alain Boublil, lyricist and librettist, turns golden! The long-running 'Do You Hear the People Sing?' a concert tribute to the legendary duo, looks back at their first musical collaboration, 'La Révolution Française' (1973), and honors their more popular works, 'Les Misérables' (1980) and 'Miss Saigon' (1989).
Video: Ingrid Michaelson Performs A PIPPIN/FALSETTOS Mashup At MISCAST24

Check out video of The Notebook composer, Ingrid Michaelson, performing an emotional mashup of, 'With You' from Pippin and 'What More Can I Say?' from Falsettos at Miscast 2024 here!
Photos: Telly Leung Takes the Stage At Birdland Jazz

On Monday, July 22, Birdland presented Broadway leading man Telly Leung with a new concert, “Back to Birdland.” See photos from the show!
GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY and More Will Come to UK Cinemas This Autumn

The World’s Greatest Stage Musicals will be coming to over 350 cinemas across the UK and Ireland this Autumn for a season of must see shows for theatre enthusiasts everywhere. Learn more about the shows you can catch in cinemas here!
Meet the Cast of ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway

Once Upon A Mattress will begin previews on Broadway tonight, Wednesday, July 31, 2024. The revival will celebrate its opening night on Monday, August 12, 2024, for the limited engagement through November 30, 2024, at The Hudson Theatre. Meet the cast of Once Upon a Mattress here!
Songwriter Scott Alan to Return to Birdand in August

Songwriter SCOTT ALAN will return eturn to BIRDLAND, featuring top New York vocalists. Learn more about the performance and see how to purchase tickets.
Reeve Carney & Javier Muñoz to Star in FAUST: THE CONCERT at The Soraya

The Soraya Season Opening Weekend will launch Sep 28 and 29 with a Soraya original, Randy Newman’s FAUST: The Concert. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Eden Espinosa, Ramin Karimloo, and More Join BROADWAY BY THE BOARDWALK At Hudson River Park

Hudson River Park has announced the lineup for its inaugural Broadway By The Boardwalk series, featuring free performances by Broadway artists for the public to enjoy on summer evenings in an intimate park setting.
What's Coming to Broadway in 2025

Check out a full list of what's to come on Broadway in 2025 and be sure to check back for updates.
Video: Watch Jinkx Monsoon Sing 'One Day More' at MISCAST24

Check out a video of Jinkx Monsoon performing 'One Day More' at Miscast 2024 here!
Birdland Jazz Club And Birdland Theater Reveals July 2024 Programming

Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater are open this July with a full slate of nightly performances.
Photos: Lea Salonga Returns To Theatre Royal Drury Lane 35 Years After MISS SAIGON

See photos from Lea Salonga’s return to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane 35 years after she originated the title role of Miss Saigon in the iconic West End venue. 
Review: LEA SALONGA: STAGE, SCREEN & EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN, Theatre Royal Drury Lane

With a cry of “honey I’m home!”, international musical theatre icon Lea Salonga returns to the stage that launched her career over three decades ago.
Lea Salonga and Dolly de Leon Will Lead REQUEST SA RADYO in Manila

Franz Xaver Kroetz’s Request Sa Radyo will premiere at Manila’s Samsung Performing Arts Center starring two of the world’s most acclaimed Filipino stage stars, Tony Award and Olivier Winner Lea Salonga and Golden Globe and BAFTA nominee Dolly de Leon.
Verity Hunt-Ballard, Natalie O'Donnell, and More Join Australian Cast of DEAR EVAN HANSEN

Following an exhaustive national search, Sydney Theatre Company and Michael Cassel Group have revealed the spectacular array of Australian theatre icons and dazzling newcomers who will star in the Australian premiere of DEAR EVAN HANSEN premiering at STC's Roslyn Packer Theatre from October 12. 
Telly Leung to Present BACK TO BIRDLAND in July

Telly Leung will return to Birdland with his new show 'Back to Birdland.' Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Lea Salonga been in?

Lea Salonga has appeared on Broadway in 9 shows.

How many West End shows has Lea Salonga been in?

Lea Salonga has appeared on London's West End in 2 shows.

What was Lea Salonga's first West End show?

Lea Salonga's first West End show was Miss Saigon which opened in 1989

What awards has Lea Salonga been nominated for?

Lea Salonga has been nominated for several awards throughout her Broadway career, including Best Featured Actress in a Musical for "Once on this Island" at the BroadwayWorld Awards, Best Leading Actress in a Musical for "Allegiance" at the BroadwayWorld Awards, Outstanding Actress - Musical for "Miss Saigon" at the Drama Desk Awards, Best Actress - Musical for "Miss Saigon" at the Outer Critics Circle Awards, Performance for "Miss Saigon" at the Theatre World Awards, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for "Miss Saigon" at the Tony Awards, and Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical for "Miss Saigon" at the Olivier Awards.

What awards has Lea Salonga won?

Lea Salonga has won several awards for her performances in various Broadway productions. These include Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Once on this Island, Best Leading Actress in a Musical for Allegiance, Outstanding Actress - Musical for Miss Saigon, Best Actress - Musical for Miss Saigon, Performance for Miss Saigon at the Theatre World Awards, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for Miss Saigon at the Tony Awards, and Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical for Miss Saigon at the Olivier Awards.

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