Filipina actress and singer Lea Salonga has made history after receiving the 2,855th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Salonga received the star on September 4 in the Live Performance category. She is the first Filipina to receive the prestigious Hollywood recognition.
The honor marks another major milestone in a career that has taken Salonga from musical theatre to some of the world’s biggest animated films and television productions.
Lea Salonga becomes first Filipina honoree
Hollywood Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez welcomed Salonga and praised her decades-long career.
Martinez described the performer as a trailblazer whose talent has inspired audiences around the world. She also highlighted the significance of Salonga becoming the first Filipina to receive the honor.
The recognition carries special importance for Filipino artists and audiences. It also reflects Salonga’s influence across several generations of performers.
Salonga began working professionally at a young age. Over the years, her career has expanded across theatre, film, television and music.
Mulan star celebrates major career
One of Salonga’s best-known achievements came through Disney animation.
She provided the singing voice for Mulan in the 1998 animated classic. Actress Ming-Na Wen, who provided Mulan’s speaking voice, attended the Walk of Fame ceremony as a guest speaker.
Wen was joined by several other celebrities who came to support Salonga. They included Darren Criss, Gabi “H.E.R.” Wilson and Brandy.
Brandy, who made history as the first Black actress to play Cinderella on screen in the 1997 film Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, also spoke about Salonga’s influence.
Salonga previously provided the singing voice for Princess Jasmine in Disney’s 1992 animated film Aladdin. The movie also featured the late Robin Williams as the Genie.
Salonga reflects on her journey
Salonga has earned recognition across multiple areas of entertainment.
Her achievements include a Tony Award-winning performance in Miss Saigon. She has also appeared in the Netflix film KPop Demon Hunters and worked as a judge on the Philippine edition of The Voice.
Speaking at the ceremony, Salonga reflected on how her career developed without a detailed plan for the future.
She said her love for performing kept her moving forward and eventually took her to places she had never imagined.
A message for young Filipino artists
Salonga also shared a message that captured the wider meaning of her Hollywood honor.
She expressed hope that a young Filipino visiting Hollywood might one day see her name on the Walk of Fame and believe that reaching the same level of success is possible.
Her new star now stands as a lasting symbol of her achievements and her influence on Filipino performers around the world.
