Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga, OL (/ˈlə səˈlɒŋɡə/ LAY-ə sa-LONG; born February 22, 1971) is a Filipino singer and actress. Known primarily for her work in theatre, she has starred in musicals on Broadway and in the West End. Her accolades include a Tony Award and a Laurence Olivier Award, in addition to nominations for two Grammy Awards. She was conferred with the Presidential Medal of Merit in 1990 and the Order of Lakandula in 2007, and she was honored as a Disney Legend in 2011.

Lea Salonga
Salonga in 2021
Born
Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga

(1971-02-22) February 22, 1971 (age 53)
Pasay City, Rizal, Philippines
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actress
Years active1978–present
Works
Spouse
Robert Charles Chien
(m. 2004)
Children1
Relatives
AwardsFull list
Honors
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentVocals
Labels
Websiteleasalonga.com
Signature

Salonga began her career as a child in Philippine musical theatre productions and rose to international recognition in 1989 for playing the lead role of Kim in the original West End and Broadway productions of Miss Saigon. For her performance, she gained five awards—the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical, the Drama Desk Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award, the Theatre World Award, and the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Her further roles include Éponine in the Broadway and West End productions of Les Misérables, Wu Mei-Li in the 2002 Broadway revival of Flower Drum Song, Fantine in the 2006 Broadway revival of Les Misérables, Kei Kimura in the original Broadway production of Allegiance, Erzulie in the 2017 Broadway revival of Once on This Island, and Aurora Aquino in the original Broadway production of Here Lies Love. In 2023 and 2024, she starred in the West End production of the musical revue Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends.

As a recording artist, Salonga began her music career at age ten. Her first album, Small Voice, was launched in 1981 and received a gold certification. She later signed a recording contract with Atlantic Records, releasing her platinum-certified self-titled album in 1993. Her subsequent releases include I'd Like to Teach the World 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 Sandy and Agnes in the romantic dramas Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal (1992) and Sana Maulit Muli (1995), respectively, were widely acclaimed. Additionally, Salonga provided the singing voice for the characters of Jasmine in Aladdin (1992) and the titular character in Mulan (1998) and Mulan II (2004). As a teenager, she hosted the variety show Love, Lea and later appeared on That's Entertainment. Her television acting credits include Lien Hughes on As the World Turns, Aunt Myrna on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and Elodie Honrada on Pretty Little Liars. Furthermore, Salonga has expanded her career to include reality television as a coach on The Voice of the Philippines and its spin-off series, The Voice Kids and The Voice Teens.

Life and career

edit

1971–1989: Early life and career beginnings

edit

Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga[1] was born on February 22, 1971[2] to Ligaya (née Imutan) (b. 1937) and Feliciano Genuino Salonga (1929–2016).[3][4] She has a younger brother named Gerard.[5] At age three, she was trained by her aunt in singing.[6][7] At age seven, she and her family relocated from Pampanga to Manila.[6] She finished her primary and secondary education as salutatorian and valedictorian, respectively.[5] In an article by The New York Times published in 2000, she said that she planned to enroll at Fordham University.[8][9][10]

As a child, Salonga began singing at family parties.[11] Her cousin, who was active with Repertory Philippines, encouraged her to audition for a production of The King and I, where she made her professional debut in 1978 at the age of seven.[6][12][13] She played the title role in Annie in 1980, later reprising the role in 1984, and appeared in other productions such as 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).[14]

In 1981, Salonga released her first album, Small Voice, which was certified gold in the Philippines,[15] and made her film debut in the comedy film Tropang Bulilit. As a young performer, Salonga received a Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) award nomination for Best Child Actress and three Aliw Awards for Best Child Performer in 1980, 1981, and 1982.[16][14] From 1983 to 1985, she hosted her musical television show, Love, Lea,[16] and was a member 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 Metro Manila Popular Music Festival as the interpreters for the song entry titled "Musika, Lata, Sipol at La La La," composed by Tess Concepcion, which won second prize in the Amateur Division. That same year, she opened for the Puerto Rican boy band Menudo in their concerts in Manila.[17][18] She again performed with the group in 1986 and 1987, also appearing on their English-Tagalog album, In Action. As a teenager, Salonga continued to 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 in Manila.[17][18]

1989–1992: Miss Saigon and Aladdin

edit

In 1989, Salonga originated the leading role of Kim in the debut production of the musical Miss Saigon in London.[19] For her initial Manila audition in 1988, the then 17-year-old Salonga chose to sing Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's "On My Own" from Les Misérables. Salonga has sometimes credited the song as the starting point of her international career.[20][21] After hearing her rendition, she was asked if she had prepared another song to perform. Although she had not prepared another song for the audition, she sang "The Greatest Love of All." At her first callback audition, Salonga was asked to sing "Sun and Moon" and "The Movie in My Mind," impressing the audition panel.[22] In December 1988, Salonga appeared before the panel at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London to perform "I'd Give My Life For You" and "Too Much For One Heart." After three days of intensive work sessions in London, Salonga was offered the lead role.[22][23] During an episode of "Stars in the House" streamed on March 28, 2020, Salonga told Seth Rudetsky and his husband, producer James Wesley, she found out that she was officially cast when she read the Sunday supplement of the Daily Mail.[24]

For her performance as Kim, Salonga won the 1990 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical, becoming one of the youngest winners of the award. On December 21, 1990, Salonga performed with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Ateneo College Glee Club, and guest singer Robert Seña in a homecoming concert in Manila entitled A Miss Called Lea, which was later broadcast on television. She also received a Presidential Award of Merit from President Corazon Aquino for her services to the arts.[25]

When Miss Saigon opened on Broadway in 1991, she again played the role of Kim,[26] winning the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Theatre World awards[19] and becoming the second-youngest actress and first actress of Asian descent to win a Tony Award.[27][28] During the production transfer from West End to Broadway, a controversy erupted over Salonga's citizenship. The Actors' Equity Association (AEA) initially prevented her from reprising the role, wishing to give priority to Asian-American performers.[29] However, Cameron Mackintosh claimed he could not find a satisfactory replacement for Salonga, and an arbitrator later reversed the AEA ruling.[30] In 1999, Salonga returned to reprise the role of Kim on Broadway,[31] then again in 2001, at the age of 29 and after finishing the Manila run of the musical,[32] this time to close the Broadway production.[33]

In 1991, she was named one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People.[34] In 1992, she performed the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in Disney's animated film Aladdin.[35] Later that year, Salonga's agent submitted her to an audition for the leading role of Eliza Doolittle in the upcoming Broadway revival of My Fair Lady. However, the casting director for the production refused to see her because of her race.[36] Shortly after, Salonga was contacted by Cameron Mackintosh to join the Broadway production of Les Misérables.

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

edit

In 1993, Salonga played the role of Éponine in the Broadway production of Les Misérables, becoming the first Asian actress to perform the role on Broadway.[37] She performed the song "A Whole New World" from Aladdin with Brad Kane at the 65th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles,[38][39] where the song won an Oscar, having already won a Golden Globe Award.[15] That same year, she released her self-titled international debut album with Atlantic Records. In 1994, Salonga played in various musical theatre productions in the Philippines and Singapore,[19][12] such as Sandy in Grease, Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, and The Witch in Into the Woods.[14]

In the U.S. in 1995, Salonga played the role of Geri Riordan, an 18-year-old adopted Vietnamese American child in the Hallmark Hall of Fame TV movie Redwood Curtain, which starred John Lithgow and Jeff Daniels. She then flew back to the Philippines to star with Filipino matinée idol Aga Muhlach in the critically acclaimed film Sana Maulit Muli, which gave her a second Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) award nomination, this time for Best Actress. She reprised the role of Éponine in the 10th-anniversary concert of Les Misérables at the Royal Albert Hall in London, which was recorded and later released as a film titled Les Misérables: The Dream Cast in Concert.[40]

In 1996, Salonga was again in Les Misérables as Éponine in the West End production of the musical. In September of that same year, she continued to perform the role at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall in Honolulu, Hawaii, during the musical's U.S. national tour.[19][41]

In December 1996, Salonga represented the Philippines while performing at ONE: The WTO Show, the closing ceremony for the inaugural World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial conference held at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre.[42]

1997–2004: Relationships, marriage, and continued work

edit

From 1997 to 2000, Salonga did recordings and concerts in the Philippines, another engagement in London, and a few returns to Miss Saigon in London and on Broadway. In 1997, she released I'd Like to Teach The World to Sing to gold sales in the Philippines.[43] That recording was followed by Lea... In Love in 1998[44] and By Heart in 2000, both albums reaching multiple platinum status in the Philippines.[17] In 1998, she provided the singing voice for the title character in Mulan before later reprising the role in the 2004 sequel, Mulan II.[35] At age 28, Salonga moved to New York City, purchasing her own apartment (which she still owns up to at least 2013).[45] She participated in the 1998 tribute concert to Cameron Mackintosh in London entitled Hey, Mr. Producer!, where she performed numbers from several of his musicals.[46][47][48] In December 1998, Salonga appeared in an international panel of performers, along with Iain Glen, Nicole Kidman, and Anna Manahan, for episode 277 of the American Theatre Wing's documentary series Working in the Theatre.[49] In the Philippines in 1999 and again in 2000, she played Sonia Walsk in They're Playing Our Song.[50] After performing in the 2000 production, Salonga began a relationship with Korean-American co-star Michael K. Lee.[51] She also performed in four concerts: The Homecoming Concert, The Millennium Concert, The Best of Manila, and Songs from the Screen–the last two being benefit shows. Salonga returned to Manila in Miss Saigon, staged at the Cultural Center of the Philippines at the end of 2000.[52]

In November 2001, while performing in the Los Angeles production of Flower Drum Song at the Mark Taper Forum, Salonga met Robert "Rob" Charles Chien, an American entrepreneur of Chinese and Japanese heritage.[53] The two were married on January 10, 2004 at the Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral.[54][55] She gave birth to their child, Nic, on May 16, 2006.[56][57][58]

After her final stint in Miss Saigon for its closing on Broadway in 2001, Salonga recreated the role of Lien Hughes, initially played by Ming-Na Wen, in the soap opera As the World Turns.[59] She guested on Russell Watson's The Voice concert, narrated for the television special My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States, and appeared on the Season 8 Christmas episode of the television medical drama ER, playing a patient with lymphoma.

In 2002, Salonga returned to Broadway to play the leading role of Wu Mei-Li, a Chinese immigrant in a reinterpretation of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song opposite Jose Llana. This was after the reinvented musical had a run at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles in 2001 with Salonga playing the role[60][61][62] and, in 2002, winning an Ovation Award for Lead Actress in a Musical.[63] The Salonga-led Broadway revival cast album was nominated for a 2004 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.[64] Salonga's performance was received positively by theatre critics in New York, and she received a nomination for Distinguished Performance from the Drama League, among other honors.[65] In September 2002, she appeared on Working in the Theatre for a second time, along with John Cullum, Edie Falco, Stanley Tucci, Marissa Jaret Winokur, and Charlayne Woodard.[66] Between the 2001 Los Angeles and 2002 Broadway productions of Flower Drum Song, she performed in a non-musical theatrical production for the first time, playing the role of Catherine in the stage play Proof in Manila.[19] This was followed by a major concert, The Broadway Concert, at the Philippine International Convention Center. She also sang at the 56th Tony Awards with Harry Connick Jr., Peter Gallagher, and Michele Lee in a number paying tribute to Richard Rodgers.

From 2003 to 2004, Salonga did her first "all-Filipino" concert in Manila called Songs from Home, which later won her an Aliw Award as Entertainer of the Year.[67] In 2003, she performed in several concerts at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. This was followed by a Christmas concert in the Philippines called Home for Christmas and performances at the Lenape Regional Performing Arts Center in Marlton, New Jersey, in 2004.[68] Later, in 2004, she played Lizzie in the Manila production of the musical Baby, which earned her another nomination from the Aliw Awards.[69]

2005–2007: International ventures

edit

In 2005, Salonga gave her first U.S. concert tour.[70][71][72] Later that year, on November 7, she performed to a sold-out crowd at Carnegie Hall for the benefit of Diverse City Theater Company.[73][74] The same year, she received the Golden Artist Award at the 53rd FAMAS Awards in honor of her international achievements, performed during the grand opening of Hong Kong's Disneyland,[75] and recorded two songs on Daniel Rodriguez's album In the Presence.[76] She also did voice work for Disney's English dub of Hayao Miyazaki's My Neighbor Totoro as Yasuko Kusakabe.[12] Salonga wrote the foreword to Linda Marquart's The Right Way to Sing (2005).[12] In 2006, at the 15th Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, Salonga concluded the closing ceremony with the song "Triumph of the One" before an audience of 50,000 people at Khalifa International Stadium.[77][78]

In 2007, Salonga released her first studio album in seven years called Inspired, which was certified platinum in the Philippines.[79] On August 14, 2007, she received the Order of Lakandula, with the rank of Commander (Komandante), from Philippine President Gloria Arroyo in recognition of using her talents to benefit Philippine society and foster cultural exchange. She has also received the Congressional Medal of Achievement from the House of Representatives of the Philippines for showing "the extent and depth of the Filipino musical talent" and "opening the way for other Filipino artists to break into the finest theaters in the world."[80]

In March 2007, Salonga returned to Broadway for another stint in the musical Les Misérables, this time as Fantine.[81][40] Her rejoining the show boosted the musical's ticket sales.[82][83] President Arroyo watched Salonga in this role, with Filipino-Americans Adam Jacobs as Marius and Ali Ewoldt as Cosette.[84][85][86] Salonga received rave reviews and made it again to the short list of Broadway.com's Audience Award favorites as Best Replacement.[83][87][88] During her tenure on Broadway that season, she appeared in Broadway on Broadway 2007[89] and Stars in the Alley 2007,[90] spoke at the Broadway Artists Alliance Summer Intensives,[91] guested on the Broadway musical 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,[92] and participated in Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS' 12th Annual Nothing Like a Dame event to benefit the women's health initiative of The Actors Fund.[88][93] Right after doing Les Misérables, she performed in two events: at the U.S. Military Academy Band's concert in West Point, where she sang four songs and an encore,[94] and in her concert at the Tarrytown Music Hall in New York.[95] She was then busy with other concerts and musical events,[96] including a Christmas presentation in Manila.[96][97]

2008–2012: Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist and touring

edit

In 2008, Salonga gave concerts in the Philippines, California, Hawaii, Hong Kong, and Guam,[98] On July 3, 2008, Salonga became a columnist in the Philippine Daily Inquirer with her column "Backstory" (Entertainment section), "Introducing: Lea Salonga, writer."[99] Since then, she has written numerous columns for the Inquirer.[100] She performed in "Global Pop" at the Music Center on July 11, 2008. It was presented by The Blue Ribbon, a group founded by Dorothy Chandler in 1968.[101] Salonga gave a concert on July 11 at Los Angeles' Walt Disney Concert Hall.[102][103][104] That same year, she received a special citation from the Awit Awards.[105]

 
Salonga in New York in 2009

From late July 2008 to mid-2009, Salonga played the title role in the 30-week Asian tour of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, which premiered in Manila.[106][107] Salonga performed a series of concerts in North America in 2009 and was asked to dance the Filipino novelty dances "Ocho-Ocho" and "Spaghetti."[108] The same year, Salonga advertised the Avon Products line of anti-aging skin care products, Anew Rejuvenate, in the Philippines.[109] In June 2009, she sang at the 95th Anniversary Special of the Iglesia ni Cristo.[110] Salonga sang Patriotic song "Bayan Ko" at the Requiem Mass for former President Corazon Aquino at Manila Cathedral.[111] Salonga celebrated 20 years of Miss Saigon by performing in concerts called Lea Salonga... Your Songs at the Philippine International Convention Center Plenary Hall on December 11 and 12, 2009. In the same venue, Salonga received the Gusi Peace Prize in November 2009.[112]

From July to August 2010, Salonga played the role of Grizabella in the Manila run of the Asia-Pacific tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. In October, she played Fantine during the 25th Anniversary Concert of Les Misérables, fifteen years after appearing in the 10th Anniversary as Eponine.[113][114] The same year, she served as a celebrity judge for Avon Voices.[115]

Salonga was honored as a Disney Legend on August 19, 2011.[35][116] She was one of the judges in the Miss Universe 2011 pageant in São Paulo, Brazil on September 12, 2011.[117] Salonga and Darren Criss sang "A Whole New World" to its composer, Alan Menken, as Menken was named the winner of the 2011 Maestro Award at the Billboard/Hollywood Reporter Film & TV Music Conference on October 24, 2011.[118]

Salonga performed in a six-concert series titled The Magic of Broadway and Disney Favorites in 2012 with the Palm Beach Pops.[119] She starred in the first production of Allegiance at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego from September to October 2012.[120] Salonga starred in the Philippine production of the comedy God of Carnage in July 2012 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium of RCBC Plaza in Manila. She reprised the role at the DBS Arts Centre in Singapore in November 2012.[121][122] Also in 2012, Salonga was the guest narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional at Epcot in Walt Disney World from December 14 to 16, retelling the Christmas story accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and a mass choir.[123]

2013–2018: The Voice of the Philippines and return to Broadway

edit

In January 2013, Salonga participated in Lincoln Center's American Songbook concert series at the Allen Room.[124] In February in the Philippines, Salonga provided the theme song for TV5's reality singing competition Kanta Pilipinas, and, together with Tyne Daly and Norm Lewis, she starred as Mother in a concert performance of Ragtime at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall.[125] Salonga headlined a concert series, "4 Stars One World of Broadway Musicals", in Tokyo Osaka in June, performing with Ramin Karimloo, Sierra Boggess, and Yu Shirota.[126] She was one of the four coaches, together with apl.de.ap, Sarah Geronimo, and Bamboo Mañalac, for the ABS-CBN program, The Voice of the Philippines, which premiered in June 2013.[127] In December 2013, Salonga began her Lea Salonga: Playlist concert tour in the Philippines, celebrating her 35 years in show business. The concert series was extended to January 2014.[128] Salonga wrote a book, Playlist: A Celebration of 35 Years, which she used as a souvenir program for the concerts.[129]

 
Salonga performing at the Malacañang Palace in 2014

In 2014, she returned for the second season of The Voice of the Philippines and joined the new Philippine version of The Voice Kids,[130] on which she has appeared for three seasons.[131] Salonga recorded a song titled "Wished That I Could Call You" that was included in the charity compilation album Children In Need, released in March 2014.[132][133] Also, in 2014 and 2015, she toured Asia and North America with Il Divo.[134] In mid-2015, she performed a concert series in Australasia.[135] Salonga reprised her role as Kei Kimura in the 2015–16 Broadway production of Allegiance.[136] In The New York Times, Charles Isherwood wrote of her performance: "Her voice retains its plush beauty, and her culminating first act solo, 'Higher' ... is perhaps the show's musical highlight."[137] Salonga guest-starred on the April 2016 season finale of the American television series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,[138] playing Filipino-heritage character Josh's visiting aunt, a former Star Search contestant, in town for a wedding, at which she sings the episode's climactic Disney princess parody song, "One Indescribable Instant."[139]

In Manila in November 2016, she appeared as Helen Bechdel in the international premiere of Fun Home.[131][140] A review in ABS-CBN News said that she "delivers a finely tuned performance, utilizing her prodigious stage presence to provide the cold and dark shadings to erstwhile peppy scenes with her subtle stares and held back emotions. ... [In] "Days by Days" ... she finally lets go of all the resentment and repressed anger of a woman stuck in a marriage built on a lie. Yet there is dignity in her breakdown ... Salonga pulls it off with such clarity, both musically and emotionally, that it's difficult not to be moved."[141]

 
Salonga after a performance of Once on This Island

In 2016, Salonga won two more Aliw Awards, one for Best Major Concert in a Foreign Venue and her second Entertainer of the Year award.[142] The following year, Salonga was one of the coaches on The Voice Teens.[143] Also in 2017, she released an album, Bahaghari: Lea Salonga Sings Traditional Songs of the Philippines, with songs sung in several languages spoken in the Philippines.[144] Salonga portrayed Erzulie in the 2017 Broadway revival of Once on This Island at Circle in the Square Theatre, where she received critical praise for her vocal performance.[145][146] She returned to the show for its final performances in December 2018 and January 2019.[147] The cast recording for Once on This Island was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.[148]

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

edit

Salonga appeared alongside Eva Noblezada, Dale Watson, and Princess Punzalan as a Philippine immigrant, Aunt Gail, in the musical film Yellow Rose, which premiered at the 2019 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.[149] She also toured North America and the United Kingdom that year.[150] Later, in 2019, she played Mrs. Lovett in a revival of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Manila and then Singapore.[151] Critics praised her "crystalline tones that turned her numbers, especially 'By the Sea,' into unexpected show-stoppers"[152] and called the performance a "career-high" for the actress.[153] Between these two short runs, she gave concerts in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane in November 2019.[154]

In March 2020, shortly after performing in Dubai, Salonga announced that her 2020 North American tour would be rescheduled due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2020, she announced that the tour would again be rescheduled to Fall 2021, but these dates were rescheduled again. During the pandemic, Salonga performed for several virtual global fundraising events and concerts. In August 2020, she released her single "Dream Again," a song of hope and persistence. On November 27, the PBS series Great Performances broadcast her 2019 concert at the Sydney Opera House, where she performed with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.[155]

In 2021, Salonga voiced the Mysterious Woman in the Netflix series Centaurworld.[156] In September of the same year, she announced her Dream Again Tour, named after her 2020 single.[157] One month later, she announced she would also be touring the United States and Canada.[158] On December 25, 2021, Salonga returned to Dubai to perform a Christmas concert for Expo 2020 at the Dubai Exhibition Centre.[159]

2022–present: Return to the stage and screen

edit

On April 6, 2022, Salonga began her Dream Again Tour in the United States and Canada. Following the completion of this tour, she performed the song "The Prayer" at the 2022 National Memorial Day Concert on the West Lawn of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., which was broadcast on PBS.[160] On June 18, she continued her tour in the United Kingdom. On July 28, the critically acclaimed series Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin premiered on HBO Max, where Salonga portrays Elodie Honrada.[161][162] In September 2022, Salonga began portraying Mama Soubirous in the Indie Theatrical workshop of the new musical adaptation of The Song of Bernadette in Manhattan.[163] In the same month, she was recognized by TIME magazine at the TIME100 Impact Awards for being a "life-long role model for children of color."[164] On October 27, 2022, Salonga was featured on Pentatonix's cover of Jose Mari Chan's "Christmas In Our Hearts" in their Christmas album, Holidays Around The World.[165] On December 15, 16, and 17, 2022, Salonga performed with The Tabernacle Choir as the featured guest artist in a series of Christmas concerts at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.[166][167] The event was televised on PBS in December 2023.

 
Salonga at a White House state dinner in 2023

In February 2023, it was announced that Salonga would make her producing debut and appear for a five-week run in the original Broadway production of Here Lies Love in the role of Aurora Aquino, mother of Ninoy Aquino. The production notably marks the first time Salonga has played a Filipino role on the Broadway stage and her return to the Broadway Theatre, where Miss Saigon originally played.[168] 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.[169] On April 26, Salonga performed for U.S. President Joe Biden, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, and other world leaders at a White House state dinner alongside Jessica Vosk and Norm Lewis.[170] On May 6, she was recognized by Gold House at the 2nd Annual Gold House Gala, receiving the Gold Legend Honor for a "lifetime of indelible contributions to the success and representation of the Asian Pacific community."[171] On May 25, Salonga was featured on TAAF AAPI Heritage Heroes 2023 on Hulu. In June 2023, it was announced that Salonga would be featured on a studio recording for the upcoming musical Wild About You, which was released in December of the same year.[172] She returned to London's West End to star alongside Bernadette Peters in the tribute revue Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends, which ran at the Gielgud Theatre from September 21, 2023 to January 6, 2024.[173][174]

Salonga reprised her role as Elodie in Pretty Little Liars: Summer School, which premeired in May 2024.[175] In June 2024, Salonga appeared in the audio fiction series Does This Murder Make Me Look Gay?! alongside Michael Urie, Frankie Grande, Douglas Sills, Cheyenne Jackson, Jonathan Freeman, Brad Oscar, Robin de Jesús, Lea DeLaria, Seth Rudetsky, and Kate McKinnon.[176] In the same month, Salonga began performing her third U.K. concert tour, Stage, Screen & Everything In Between, which included a concert at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, where the original production of Miss Saigon premiered.[177] In October of the same year, Salonga starred in a Filipino production of the Franz Xaver Kroetz solo play Wunschkonzert (or Request Program), retitled Request sa Radyo, at the Samsung Performing Arts Center in Manila.[178] She alternated the lead role of Ms. Reyes with Filipino actress Dolly de Leon.[179] On November 1, 2024, Salonga released Sounding Joy, her first holiday album in over two decades.[180] That same month, she performed on the Sesame Street float at the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.[181]

In January 2025, Salonga will make a guest appearance on an episode of Finding Your Roots.[182] That same year, Salonga and Bernadette Peters will reprise their performances in the Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, following a pre-Broadway run at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles.[183][184]

Artistry

edit

Musical style and themes

edit

In her popular music releases, Salonga has sung "simple love songs," common in Original Pilipino Music.[185]

Influences

edit

Salonga's style and music have been inspired by musical artists such as ABBA, the Carpenters (particularly Karen Carpenter), Olivia Newton-John, the Osmonds, Elaine Paige, and Barbra Streisand.[186] She has noted that these performers provided "clear voices that really helped the listener focus on the lyrics besides the tone and music."[187]

Salonga has repeatedly praised Streisand as one of her favorites for her "mammoth" career in singing, acting, producing, and arranging.[186] During her January 15, 2000 concert at the Philippine International Convention Center, Salonga called Streisand one of her idols.

Voice

edit
Lea Salonga
@MsLeaSalonga
 

Replying to @iLeanatics

I'm a alto/mezzo. My natural voice sits low to midrange.

Aug 17, 2013[188]

Salonga has been praised for her absolute pitch[189][190] and control over her powerful vocals, which can evoke a wide array of emotions and soundscapes.[191] Her voice has been described as "golden" by Marilyn Stasio for Variety magazine[192] and "clear and as sparkling as Baccarat crystal" by Rex Reed for Observer.[193]

Due to her vocal versatility, her vocal range and type classifications are often debated. When Salonga performed as Kim in Miss Saigon, she was expected to utilize most of her range, hitting notes as low as E3 and as high as D5. In both Disney Princess singing roles, Jasmine and Mulan, Salonga uses head tones that reach up to F5.[194]

Philanthropy and activism

edit

Reproductive rights and sex education

edit

In 1987, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the United States Agency for International Development, and the Population Center Foundation (later renamed the Philippine Center for Population and Development) established the Philippine Young People’s Project and selected Salonga and Menudo to lead the campaign.[195] Music videos, commercials, and live performances were used to sell the message of responsible sexual behavior and to encourage counseling for discussing and solving their problems.[196] Additionally, Salonga promoted the campaign's program Dial-A-Friend, a telephone hotline that provides confidential counseling regarding mental health, relationships, and contraception.[197]

"You don't have to be pro-contraception to be pro-reproductive health... You choose for yourself, because I believe every individual has a choice."

—Salonga during a 2011 interview on State of the Nation

In 2011, Salonga expressed support for the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill, later signed and known as the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 or RH Law. On May 18, 2011, she was interviewed by Jessica Soho on State of the Nation about her views on the controversial bill.[198] In the interview, Salonga showed understanding towards the anti-contraceptive stance held by many Filipino Catholics at the time but stated that the bill was designed "to serve every single Filipino."

World hunger

edit

On October 15, 2010, Salonga was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.[199] In a speech, she stated: "I am very honored to assume today the office of Goodwill Ambassador of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. It is of great significance to me, as an artist, as a woman, as a mother, to have the opportunity to participate in this global effort to give support to the hungry and impoverished."[200]

LGBT rights

edit

Salonga has been openly supportive of LGBT equality for many years. On October 12, 2009, during a benefit concert held at the Philippine Center's Kalayaan Hall for the victims of Typhoon Ondoy, Salonga referenced the National Equality March in Washington, D.C., and stated, "I believe that every single human being has the fundamental right to marry whoever they want."[201] In 2011, The Advocate called her a "major gay icon".[202] In February 2016, Salonga criticized Filipino politician and former professional boxer Manny Pacquiao via Twitter for his views on homosexuality and same-sex marriage.[203] In October 2018, she tweeted, "Trans rights are human rights, and trans people will not be erased."[204]

Racial prejudice and violence

edit

On March 29, 2021, Salonga condemned the rise of violent attacks on Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.[205] On April 21, 2021, she appeared with actress Lucy Liu, politician Hillary Clinton, and others in the #AAPI Women Strong: Organizing Beyond A Hashtag forum to share their experiences and spread awareness of anti-Asian hate.[206]

Discography

edit

Solo recordings

edit

Cast recordings / soundtracks

edit
  • Miss Saigon (Original London Cast Recording) (1989)
  • Little Tramp (Studio Recording) (1992)
  • The King and I (Hollywood Studio Cast Recording) (1992)
  • Aladdin (Soundtrack Recording) (1992)
  • Mulan (Soundtrack Recording) (1998)
  • Making Tracks (Original Cast Recording) (2001)
  • Flower Drum Song (Revival Cast Recording) (2002)
  • Mulan II (Soundtrack Recording) (2005)
  • Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia (Soundtrack Recording) (2008)
  • Cinderella (Original International Tour Cast Recording) (2010)
  • Dyesebel (The Official Soundtrack) (2014)
  • Allegiance (Original Broadway Cast Recording) (2016)
  • Once on This Island (First Broadway Revival Cast Recording) (2018)
  • Wild About You (World Premiere Recording) (2023)

Video / live recordings

edit

Compilation albums

edit
  • 100% Lea Gives Her Best (2003)
  • The Ultimate OPM Collection (2007)
edit

Acting credits

edit

One of the most prolific actresses since her career's inception in 1978, Salonga has appeared in numerous international theatre productions, television shows, films, and video games.

In Manila, Salonga has appeared in theatre productions such as The King and I (1978), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1978), Fiddler on the Roof (1978), Annie (1980), The Sound of Music (1980), The Rose Tattoo (1980), The Bad Seed (1981), The Goodbye Girl (1982), The Paper Moon (1983), Annie (1984), The Fantasticks (1988), My Fair Lady (1994), Grease (1995), They're Playing Our Song (2000), Miss Saigon (2000), Proof (2002), Baby (2004), Cats (2010), God of Carnage (2012), Fun Home (2016), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2019), and Request sa Radyo (2024). In London's West End, she has appeared in Miss Saigon (1989–1990, 1999), Les Misérables (1996), and Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends (2023–2024). On Broadway, she has appeared in Miss Saigon (1991–1992, 1999, 2001), Les Misérables (1993), Flower Drum Song (2002–2003), Something Good: A Broadway Salute to Richard Rogers on His 100th Birthday (2002), Les Misérables (2007), Allegiance (2015–2016), Once on This Island (2017–2018, 2018–2019), and Here Lies Love (2023). Salonga has also appeared in Into the Woods (1994), They're Playing Our Song (1999), God of Carnage (2012), and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2019) in Singapore, Les Misérables (1996) in Honolulu during the third U.S. national tour, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella (2008) across Asia, Allegiance (2012) in San Diego, Ragtime (2013) at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City, Annie (2018) at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, and the 10th (1995) and 25th (2010) anniversary concerts of Les Misérables at the Royal Albert Hall and The O2 Arena, respectively, in London.

Salonga made her film debut in 1981 in the Filipino comedy Tropang Bulilit. She went on to appear in the films Like Father, Like Son (1985), Ninja Kids (1986), Captain Barbell (1986), Pik Pak Boom (1988), Dear Diary (1989), The Heat Is On (1989), Aladdin (1992), Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal (1992), Sana Maulit Muli (1995), Mulan (1998), Les Misérables: The Dream Cast in Concert (1998), My Neighbor Totoro (2004), Mulan II (2004), Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams (2007), Les Misérables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary (2010), Miss Saigon: 25th Anniversary (2016), Allegiance (2016), Expedition Reef (2018), Yellow Rose (2019), and Once Upon a Studio (2023).

In 1983, Salonga began hosting her own variety show entitled Love, Lea, which ended its run in 1985. She went on to appear in That's Entertainment (1986), Olsen Twins Mother's Day Special (1993), Sesame Street (1993), Reading Rainbow (1993, 2001), Redwood Curtain (1995), Aladdin on Ice (1995), ASAP (1997–present), ER (2001), As the World Turns (2001, 2003), Johnny Bravo (2004), Miss Universe 2011 (2011), Sofia the First (2012, 2014), The Voice of the Philippines (2013, 2014–15), The Voice Kids (2014–2019), Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2016), Nature Is Speaking (2016), 91st Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (2017), The Voice Teens (2017, 2020), Centaurworld (2021), American Experience (2022), Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin (2022), Little Demon (2022), and Pretty Little Liars: Summer School (2024).

Achievements and legacy

edit
 
Salonga featured on a 2021 Philippine stamp

Dubbed the "Pride of the Philippines,"[208][209][210][211][212] Salonga gained national recognition in the Philippines at a young age, winning Best Child Performer at the Aliw Awards in 1980, 1981, and 1982.[213] For her success as a child singer and actress, she was known as the "Shirley Temple of the Philippines."[214][215] Salonga has been cited as an influence for several singers and actors, especially those of Asian descent, including Ali Ewoldt,[216] Kimiko Glenn,[217] Rachelle Ann Go,[218] Vanessa Hudgens,[219] Arielle Jacobs,[220] Vina Morales,[221] Bella Poarch,[222] Nicole Scherzinger,[223] Phillipa Soo,[217] and Lola Tung.[224]

For her performance as the leading role of Kim in Miss Saigon, Salonga won Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical at the 1990 Laurence Olivier Awards.[225] After her return to the Philippines, she won Outstanding Performer at the Aliw Awards.[213] In the same year, she received a Presidential Medal of Merit from President Corazon Aquino for her services to the arts.[25] For reprising her role as Kim in the Broadway production of Miss Saigon, Salonga was awarded Outstanding Actress in a Musical at the 1991 Drama Desk Awards, Outstanding Actress in a Musical at the 1991 Outer Critics Circle Awards, Best Actress in a Musical at the 1991 Theatre World Awards, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical at the 45th Annual Tony Awards. She made history as the first Asian actress to win a Tony Award and the second-youngest actress to win for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical. She later became the first Asian actress to portray the role of Éponine when she joined the Broadway production in early 1993. In 1993, she also became the first Filipino artist to sign with an international record label when she signed with Atlantic Records.

In 2004, Salonga won Entertainer of the Year at the Aliw Awards. She later won the Aliw Award for Best Major Concert (Female) in 2008. In 2007, President Gloria Arroyo honored Salonga with the rank of Commander of the Order of Lakandula in recognition of using her talents to benefit Philippine society and foster cultural exchange. The House of Representatives of the Philippines also awarded her the Congressional Medal of Achievement for showing "the extent and depth of the Filipino musical talent" and "opening the way for other Filipino artists to break into the finest theaters in the world."

In 2011, Salonga was declared a "Disney Legend" for her work with the Walt Disney Company, providing the singing voices for Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and Fa Mulan in Mulan and Mulan II. At the 2020 Box Office Entertainment Awards, she won Female Concert Performer of the Year.[226]

In September 2022, Salonga was recognized by TIME magazine at the TIME100 Impact Awards for being a "life-long role model for children of color."[164] In 2024, Salonga will be featured as a wax figure in the Madame Tussauds Singapore museum's Music Zone in recognition of "her remarkable talent and contributions to the world of entertainment."[227] The figure, wearing Filipino designer Rajo Laurel's blue "workhouse gown," was unveiled at Solaire Resort & Casino in September 2024.[228]

Published works

edit

Books

edit
  • Marquart, Linda; Salonga, Lea (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 978-0762446100.

Columns

edit

Audiobooks

edit

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ de Leon, Ed (June 12, 2020). "Lea nainis na sa nagpipilit sa kanyang maling pangalan" [Lea is tired of insisting on her wrong name]. The Philippine Star (in Tagalog). Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  2. ^ Aquino, Maine (February 3, 2018). "IN PHOTOS: Celebrities born in February". GMA Network. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  3. ^ Salterio, Leah (August 21, 2017). "Lea, Gerard Salonga throw surprise party for their mom's 80th birthday". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on August 22, 2017. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  4. ^ "Lea Salonga's father Feliciano Salonga dies". Rappler. January 31, 2016. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Drogin, Bob (December 24, 1990). "'Saigon's' Miss: Actress Has Big Plans Even If She Can't Play Broadway. Ask Mom". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 28, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c Baldono, Krista (February 6, 2020). "The Voice Teens coach Lea Salonga's fascinating journey as the country's premiere global artist". ABS-CBN Entertainment. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  7. ^ Bautista, Veltisezar (1998). The Filipino Americans from 1763 to the Present: Their History, Culture, and Traditions. Bookhaus. ISBN 0931613140.
  8. ^ Kirk, Don (August 15, 2000). "Lea Salonga, at Home and Playing Her Own Song". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 28, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  9. ^ Nassour, Ellis (March 2018). "Lea Salonga On Theater, Song & Family". New York Lifestyles Magazine. Archived from the original on December 26, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  10. ^ Tang, Terry (May 9, 2001). "Woman of the World". Daily Bruin. Archived from the original on November 28, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  11. ^ Pepper, Fiona (February 6, 2017). "Lea Salonga: Musical theatre star and real-life Disney princess performs in Melbourne". ABC Radio Melbourne. Archived from the original on December 11, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  12. ^ a b c d Marquart, Linda; Salonga, Lea (April 1, 2005). "The Right Way to Sing" by Linda Marquart: Lea Salonga Biography. Allworth Press. ISBN 978-1-58115-407-8. Archived from the original on September 14, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  13. ^ Arevalo, Rica (March 9, 2021). "Lea Salonga on aging gracefully: 'Possible with plenty of laughter and wonderful friendships'". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  14. ^ a b c "Salonga, Lea 1971–" Archived October 18, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, Contemporary Theatre, Film and Television, Encyclopedia.com, 2005, accessed November 4, 2015
  15. ^ a b "Lea Salonga" Archived October 4, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, D23, accessed October 21, 2015
  16. ^ a b "Lea Salonga". Filipino Web. Archived from the original on March 7, 2009.
  17. ^ a b c "Lea Salonga". TV.com. Archived from the original on May 10, 2008. Retrieved October 16, 2007.
  18. ^ a b Arevalo, Rica (March 9, 2021). "Lea Salonga on aging gracefully: 'Possible with plenty of laughter and wonderful friendships'". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  19. ^ a b c d e "Lea Salonga, Star File: Broadway.com Buzz". Broadway.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2005. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
  20. ^ Pierce, Scott D. (March 30, 2012). "Stars reveal song that changed their lives in new TV series". The Salt Lake Tribune. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  21. ^ Gelfand, Janelle (April 23, 2016). "Review: Disney princess to 'Dancing Queen,' Lea Salonga charms with Pops". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  22. ^ a b "Behr, Edward and Mark Steyn, The Story of Miss Saigon, New York: Arcade Publishing, 1991". Archived from the original on December 15, 2007. Retrieved November 26, 2007.
  23. ^ "A Broadway belle hits the books again". Time (Asia Edition). February 18, 2000. Archived from the original on June 27, 2001 – via www.asiaweek.com.
  24. ^ "#StarsInTheHouse #24: Lea Salonga". YouTube. March 28, 2020. Archived from the original on October 19, 2022. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  25. ^ a b Porcalla, Delon (December 6, 2014). "Aquino confers awards on 33 outstanding Pinoys". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  26. ^ Rothstein, Mervyn (March 2, 1990). "'Miss Saigon' finds home on Broadway". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 14, 2023. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
  27. ^ Gioia, Michael. "'I'm Hoping There is a Shift', Says Lea Salonga On Diversity and the 'United Colors' of This Season" Archived June 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Playbill, July 24, 2015, accessed April 30, 2016
  28. ^ Lee, Ashley (November 24, 2015). "Asian Actors Onstage: Lea Salonga, Phillipa Soo Sound Off on Broadway Representation, Cultural Perceptions". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  29. ^ Branigin, William (January 1, 1991). "Lea Salonga: She Accepts 'Saigon' Fuss". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on October 25, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  30. ^ Sternfeld, Jessica (2008). "The Megamusical in the 1990s". The Megamusical. Indiana University Press.
  31. ^ Simonson, Robert (January 17, 1999). "Lea Salonga Returns to Bway Miss Saigon, Jan. 18". Playbill. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  32. ^ "Musical Miss Saigon opens in the Philippines, home of its leading ladies". CNN. December 4, 2000. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  33. ^ Tornquist, Cynthia (January 16, 2001). "Miss Saigon star returns". CNN. Archived from the original on February 17, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
  34. ^ "Beautiful Through the Years" Archived June 2, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, People magazine, May 12, 1997, Vol. 47, No. 18, accessed October 21, 2015
  35. ^ a b c Chavez, Yong (August 21, 2011). "Lea Salonga becomes a Disney legend". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on August 20, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  36. ^ "Disney princess: 'I was refused theatre role for being Asian'". YouTube. August 8, 2019. Archived from the original on October 25, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  37. ^ "Lea Salonga to Replace Daphne Rubin-Vega in Les Misérables". Broadway.com. January 3, 2007. Archived from the original on March 11, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
  38. ^ "A Whole New World". February 13, 2007. Archived from the original on November 7, 2021 – via www.youtube.com.
  39. ^ Wiley, Mason; Damien Bona (1996). Inside Oscar: The Unofficial History of the Academy Awards (5 ed.). New York: Ballantine Books. p. 883. ISBN 0-345-40053-4.
  40. ^ a b * "Tony Award winner to join the cast as Fantine". Les Misérables (Press release). Archived from the original on August 8, 2007. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  41. ^ "TIMELINE: A look back at some Broadway touring shows at the Blaisdell". HawaiiNewsNow. April 9, 2019. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  42. ^ "WTO | Singapore Ministerial 1996". www.wto.org. Archived from the original on October 19, 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  43. ^ "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing - Lea Salonga - Song Listings". MP3.com. Archived from the original on April 15, 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  44. ^ "10: The Best of 1998". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on January 23, 2008. Retrieved October 17, 2007.
  45. ^ Gonzalez, Bianca (September 29, 2013). "Lea Salonga on life as Kim, Sonia, Eponine, wife & mom". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on May 14, 2015. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
    Kevin L. Nadal and the Filipino-American National Historical Society Metropolitan New York Chapter (March 30, 2015). Filipinos in New York City. Arcadia Publishing. p. 8. ISBN 978-1-4671-2308-2.
  46. ^ Simonson, Robert (May 21, 1998). "Judi Dench, Bernadette Peters to join Lea Salonga in London benefit". Playbill. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  47. ^ "Hey Mr. Producer!". Albemarle of London. Archived from the original on September 17, 2010.
  48. ^ Mandelbaum, Ken. "DVDs: Mackintosh's Salad Days". Broadway.com. Archived from the original on June 10, 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  49. ^ "Performance (Working In The Theatre #277)". YouTube. November 12, 2013. Archived from the original on October 22, 2022. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  50. ^ "Lea Salonga, at Home and Playing Her Own Song", International Herald Tribune, August 15, 2000
  51. ^ Lo, Ricky (May 17, 2001). "Lea and Michael: Can marriage be far behind?". PhilStar Global. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  52. ^ Lefkowitz, David (August 15, 2000). "She will be Miss Saigon again: Salonga to be Kim in October Manila mounting". Playbill. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  53. ^ Salterio, Leah (February 17, 2004). "Lea Salonga and Rob Chien: When love takes center stage". PhilStar Global. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  54. ^ Santiago, Erwin (January 5, 2007). "Lea Salonga returns to Broadway and 'Les Miserables'". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  55. ^ Manis, Aimee. "Filipina Singer Lea Salonga's Red Wedding in Los Angeles". Inside Weddings. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  56. ^ Rattey, Julie L. "This is the career God has chosen for me". Catholic Digest. Archived from the original on January 7, 2009.
  57. ^ Valle, Jocelyn (May 18, 2023). "Lea Salonga's Only Child At 17: 'Nic Is Living Their Best Life And I Couldn't Be More Proud'". Smart Parenting. Archived from the original on June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  58. ^ Gabinete, Jojo (April 17, 2023). "Mga teenager na anak nina Lea Salonga at Claudine Barretto, muling nasilayan ng publiko" [Lea Salonga daughter, Claudine Barretto son seen again by public]. Philippine Entertainment Portal (in Tagalog). Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  59. ^ Gans, Andrew (January 22, 2003). "Lea Salonga does double-duty: Flower Drum Song and "As the World Turns"". Playbill. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  60. ^ "Lea Salonga confirmed for Flower Drum Song". Broadway.com. June 10, 2008. Archived from the original on June 10, 2008.
  61. ^ Hong, Terry (October 11, 2002). "Making Musical History". asianweek.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2002.
  62. ^ Gans, Andrew (October 17, 2002). "The Flower blooms: Rodgers and Hammerstein's Drum Song opens Oct. 17 on Broadway". Playbill. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  63. ^ Ehren, Christine (November 25, 2002). "Big River, Napoli Milionaria Big Winners at L.A.'s Ovation Awards". Playbill. Archived from the original on July 27, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  64. ^ Christenfeld, Seth (December 4, 2003). "Five musical show albums nominated for Grammy Awards". TheaterMania. Archived from the original on June 16, 2020. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
  65. ^ The 2003 Drama League Nominees and Winners" Archived June 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, BroadwayToVegas.com, 2003
  66. ^ "Performance (Working In The Theatre #307)". YouTube. October 8, 2013. Archived from the original on October 23, 2022. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  67. ^ "Three icons reunite in 'The Legends and the Classics'" Archived March 29, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, Inquirer.net, October 5, 2013, accessed December 3, 2016
  68. ^ "Lea Salonga". Carouselpinoy.com. Archived from the original on January 22, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2007.
  69. ^ "Bringing up Baby". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on November 12, 2005. Retrieved October 15, 2007.
  70. ^ Lipton, Brian Scott (February 1, 2005). "Lea Salonga hits the road". TheaterMania. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  71. ^ Greenberg, Shira (March 7, 2005). "Photo Coverage: Lea Salonga in Concert". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  72. ^ "Lea Salonga brings down the house in Atlantic City". Broadway.com. Archived from the original on February 23, 2005.
  73. ^ Strothmann, Ben (November 8, 2005). "Photo Coverage: Lea Salonga at Carnegie Hall". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  74. ^ Chang, Lia (October 11, 2005). "Lea Salonga takes center stage at Carnegie Hall". Asian Connections. Archived from the original on June 15, 2008. Retrieved October 15, 2007.
  75. ^ "Jacky Cheung, Coco Lee, Lea Salonga to headline Disneyland opening". english.sina.com. Hong Kong. Associated Press. September 9, 2005. Archived from the original on February 19, 2006.
  76. ^ "Daniel Rodriguez Profile". Blix Street Records. Archived from the original on August 6, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  77. ^ Armero, Arman. "Lea leads closing program". Manila Standard Today. Archived from the original on January 6, 2009.
  78. ^ Liew, Lena (December 19, 2006). "Doha Asian Games comes to close amid mythology of 1001 nights". Travel Video Television. Archived from the original on June 10, 2008.
  79. ^ Lugay, Elton (September 19, 2007). ""Lea on Leadership" from Philippine News". Archived from the original on November 21, 2007 – via Broadway Asia.
  80. ^ Romero, Paolo (February 8, 2007). "Order of Lakandula for Lea, climbers". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on September 17, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  81. ^ Gans, Andrew; Jones, Kenneth (March 2, 2007). "Voices soft as thunder: Lea Salonga to make early entrance in Les Miz revival". Playbill. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  82. ^ "Broadway Grosses: Lea boosts Les Miz". Broadway.com. June 10, 2008. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  83. ^ a b Bernardo, Melissa Rose. "Lea Salonga, Q&A; Interview: Broadway.com Buzz". broadway.com. Archived from the original on June 30, 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  84. ^ Dalangin-Fernandez, Lira (September 27, 2007). "Arroyo goes to Broadway, watches Lea Salonga in Les Miz". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved September 27, 2007.
  85. ^ Avendaño, Christine (September 28, 2007). "Arroyo takes break, is entranced by Lea in Les Miz". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on June 11, 2008. Retrieved October 20, 2007.
  86. ^ Jones, Kenneth (October 21, 2007). "Salonga exits Les Miz, making way for Judy Kuhn". Playbill. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  87. ^ "Nominees Announced for 2007 Broadway.com Audience Awards: Spring Awakening Tops List". Broadway.com. May 13, 2007. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  88. ^ a b Gans, Andrew (March 9, 2007). "Diva Talk: Chatting with Les Miz star Lea Salonga, plus news of LuPone, Cook, and Kuhn". Playbill. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  89. ^ Keddy, Genevieve Rafter (September 17, 2007). "Photo Coverage: Broadway on Broadway 2007". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on August 20, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  90. ^ Rupp, Mark (June 7, 2007). "Photo Coverage: Stars in the Alley 2007". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on August 20, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  91. ^ "Photo Coverage: Lea Salonga at Broadway Artists Alliance". BroadwayWorld. August 17, 2007. Archived from the original on August 20, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  92. ^ Hernandez, Ernio (March 16, 2007). "Salonga joins Esparza & Mitchell for "Broadway Night" at Spelling Bee". Playbill. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  93. ^ "Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS: Nothing Like A Dame". Archived from the original on February 12, 2008. Retrieved February 21, 2008.
  94. ^ "USMA Band Fall/Winter Guest Artist Series". U.S. Military Academy Band. Archived from the original on October 13, 2007.
  95. ^ "Tarrytown Music Hall". Tarrytown Music Hall. Archived from the original on June 21, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  96. ^ a b "Simbang Gabi 2007". ABS-CBN Foundation. Archived from the original on November 17, 2007. Retrieved November 26, 2007.
  97. ^ "Simbang Gabi with Lea Salonga" (PDF). Asian Journal. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 3, 2007. Retrieved November 26, 2007.
  98. ^ "Billboard Tour Finder – Lea Salonga". Billboard.; "Magic Wand Entertainment Upcoming Shows". Archived from the original on February 5, 2008. Retrieved February 14, 2008.; "Lea Salonga at San Manuel Casino January 3, 2008". Philippine Press Club. Archived from the original on November 15, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2008.; "Lea Salonga sings to thousands in Bacolod". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on June 7, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2008.; "Lea Salonga – The Voice of Mulan". Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. Archived from the original on June 3, 2008. Retrieved February 14, 2008.; "Tony-winning Lea Salonga to give four concerts in Hawaii". The Honolulu Advertiser. Archived from the original on January 7, 2009. Retrieved February 14, 2008.; "Broadway and Philippine star Lea Salonga to perform at Sheraton Laguna tonight". Guam Pacific Daily News.[permanent dead link]; and "Lea Salonga adds new Sunday concert at Blaisdell". The Honolulu Advertiser. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved March 13, 2008.
  99. ^ "Lea Salonga, the writer, debuts in PDI". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on September 1, 2010. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  100. ^ "Lea Salonga – Inquirer Entertainment" Archived November 22, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, Philippine Daily Inquirer, accessed November 3, 2015
  101. ^ "Rock, Pop & Jazz". DowntownLAScene.com. Archived from the original on January 13, 2009. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  102. ^ Gans, Andrew (July 11, 2008). "Tony Winner Salonga Plays Disney Concert Hall July 11". Playbill. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  103. ^ Nepales, Ruben V. (July 14, 2008). "Standing ovation for Lea Salonga in historic concert". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  104. ^ Pentecostes, JP (July 11, 2008). "Lea Salonga...a Concert worth taking your daughter to". PinoyReport.com. Archived from the original on May 5, 2010. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  105. ^ "The Philippine Awit Awards - About the Awit Awards". www.awitawards.com.ph. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  106. ^ Gans, Andrew (January 26, 2007). "Lea Salonga to Star in Cinderella Tour". Playbill.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  107. ^ "Cinderella in Manila – Lea Salonga starring". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on March 14, 2008.
  108. ^ Gans, Andrew (November 12, 2008). "Lea Salonga Will Perform Concerts in California, New York, Nevada and More in 2009". Playbill. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  109. ^ "Avon launches Anew Rejuvenate and Anew Ambassador Lea Salonga". The Philippine Star. July 10, 2009. Archived from the original on September 6, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  110. ^ "INC at 95, The musical; Lea Salonga stars". Philippine Daily Inquirer. July 26, 2009. Archived from the original on July 27, 2009. Retrieved July 27, 2009.
  111. ^ Holandes Ubalde, Joseph (August 5, 2009). "Lea Salonga's 'Bayan Ko' rendition brings mourners back to EDSA '86". GMA Network. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  112. ^ "2009 Gusi Peace Prize winners". Voice of America. December 17, 2009. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
  113. ^ Oliveros, Oliver (August 27, 2009). "Lea Salonga Performs Requests In Manila Concert 12/11 & 12/12". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  114. ^ "Lea Salonga will have Richard Poon and Ai-Ai delas Alas as guests in her December concert". Philippine Entertainment Portal. November 13, 2009. Archived from the original on November 16, 2009. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  115. ^ "Meet the Judges". Avon Voices. Archived from the original on September 15, 2011.
  116. ^ Wolman, Lauren (August 20, 2011). "Photo Flash: Lea Salonga, Anika Noni Rose, Paige O'Hara et al. Honored at D23 Expo". BroadwayWorld.com. Archived from the original on September 8, 2011. Retrieved August 20, 2011.
  117. ^ Rosky, Nicole (September 7, 2011). "Lea Salonga Set to Judge Miss Universe Pageant, 9/12". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved September 7, 2011.
  118. ^ "See Glee Star Darren Criss & Tony Winner Lea Salonga Serenade Alan Menken with 'A Whole New World'". Broadway.com. October 25, 2011. Archived from the original on June 21, 2013. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
  119. ^ Pfaff, Jennifer (April 2012). "Palm Beach Pops shows Broadway and Disney magic". Palm Beach Illustrated. Archived from the original on November 19, 2015. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  120. ^ Jones, Kenneth (September 28, 2012). "Allegiance Musical, With George Takei and Lea Salonga, Extends Run in CA". Playbill. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  121. ^ Jambora, Anne A. (July 9, 2012). "Lea Salonga goes straight in 'God of Carnage' ". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  122. ^ Salonga, Lea (October 24, 2012). "Time to say goodbye". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved October 24, 2012.
  123. ^ "Lea Salonga added to this year's Candlelight Processional". wdwmagic.com. October 20, 2012. Archived from the original on November 25, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  124. ^ "Lea Salonga". lincolncenter.org. Archived from the original on May 9, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  125. ^ Champion, Lindsay (November 16, 2012). "Lea Salonga, Norm Lewis & Tyne Daly to Headline Ragtime Concert". Broadway.com. Archived from the original on July 8, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  126. ^ Lea Salonga (January 16, 2013). "Turning Japanese". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  127. ^ Lea Salonga (February 19, 2013). "It's official: I am a coach on The Voice of The Philippines! I wonder who coach #4 will be". Twitter. Archived from the original on October 9, 2013. Retrieved February 20, 2013.
  128. ^ Ager, Maila (January 18, 2014). "Lea Salonga's 'Playlist' guests daughter Nicole Chien, Martin Nievera". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  129. ^ Salonga, Lea. Playlist – A Celebration of 35 Years Archived November 27, 2016, at the Wayback Machine (2013)
  130. ^ Donida, Krissa (January 15, 2014). "Lea Salonga talks about being back on 'The Voice'" (in Filipino). Push. Archived from the original on January 21, 2014. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
  131. ^ a b Villano, Alexa (November 11, 2016). "Lea Salonga on 'Fun Home,' working with Eric Kunze". Rappler. Archived from the original on September 14, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  132. ^ Cerasaro, Pat (October 24, 2013). "Lea Salonga & Sierra Boggess Record New Tracks For Charity Compilation Album". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on January 11, 2014. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  133. ^ "Lea Salonga's song 'Wish That I Could Call You' just sounds incredible now. Out in March". 10 January 2014. DanLauraCurtis Twitter account. Archived from the original on March 4, 2014. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  134. ^ Henry, Alan (May 22, 2014). "BWW Interviews: Lea Salonga Talks Il Divo Tour, Allegiance, Miss Saigon, and More!". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  135. ^ Cerasaro, Pat (July 24, 2015). "Lea Salonga Kicks Off Australia & New Zealand Tour Today". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  136. ^ Peterson, Tyler (March 13, 2015). "Breaking News: Tony Winner Lea Salonga & Telly Leung to Join George Takei in ALLEGIANCE on Broadway!". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  137. ^ Isherwood, Charles (November 8, 2015). "Review: 'Allegiance,' a Musical History Lesson About Interned Japanese-Americans". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 8, 2016. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  138. ^ Dimalanta, Ces (January 12, 2016). "Lea Salonga to appear, sing in 'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend' finale". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on March 15, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  139. ^ Mallenbaum, Carly (April 18, 2016). "Exclusive clip: 'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend' finale has the perfect guest star". USA Today. Archived from the original on July 30, 2022. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
  140. ^ Hetrick, Adam (November 18, 2015). "Lea Salonga Will Star in Fun Home International Premiere". Playbill. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  141. ^ Bunoan, Vladimir (November 12, 2016). "Review: Superb 'Fun Home' cast moves audience to tears". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  142. ^ "Lea Salonga wins Entertainer of the Year at Aliw Awards 2016". ABS-CBN News. December 2, 2016. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  143. ^ "Lea excited to mentor teens on 'The Voice'". ABS-CBN News (published April 17, 2017). March 1, 2017. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  144. ^ Gans, Andrew (February 9, 2018). "From Carnegie Hall to Miss Saigon and the Oscars, Tony Winner Lea Salonga's 5 Most Memorable Nights Onstage". Playbill. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  145. ^ Stasio, Marilyn (December 3, 2017). "Broadway Review: 'Once on This Island'". Variety. Archived from the original on January 31, 2018. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
    "Once on This Island on Broadway holds 'Filipino Night'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Philippines. March 2, 2018. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  146. ^ Hetrick, Adam (May 8, 2018). "Lea Salonga Will Depart Broadway's Once On This Island". Playbill. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  147. ^ Wild, Stephi (December 27, 2018). "Lea Salonga Returns to ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Today, December 27". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on January 7, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  148. ^ "2019 Grammy Winners: Complete List". The Hollywood Reporter. February 10, 2019. Archived from the original on February 11, 2019. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  149. ^ "Musical Film YELLOW ROSE Starring Lea Salonga & Eva Noblezada Set For Opening Night Of LAAPFF". BroadwayWorld. May 2, 2019. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  150. ^ Ng, Philiana (May 1, 2019). "Broadway Icon Lea Salonga Opens Up About Her First Big-Screen Movie in 20 Years (Exclusive)". ET Online. Archived from the original on May 6, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  151. ^ Meyer, Dan (October 23, 2019). "What Do Critics Think of Sweeney Todd in Manila, Starring Lea Salonga?". Playbill. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  152. ^ Bunoan, Vladimir (October 12, 2019). "Theater review: Lea Salonga totally kills it in wild, dystopic 'Sweeney Todd'". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on October 20, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  153. ^ Yu, Vincen Gregory (October 19, 2019). "'Sweeney Todd': Bobby Garcia's reinvention of the musical a triumph of vision and staging". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  154. ^ Wild, Stephi (March 10, 2019). "Lea Salonga To Tour Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne In November 2019". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on June 18, 2019. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  155. ^ Ng, Philiana (October 12, 2020). "Lea Salonga Talks 'Yellow Rose,' 'Mulan' Criticisms and the Power of BTS (Exclusive)". ET Online. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  156. ^ Alter, Rebecca (July 30, 2021). "Centaurworld Is a Cartoon Hybrid of Infinite Possibilities". Vulture. Archived from the original on July 30, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  157. ^ Salonga, Lea (September 20, 2021). "Lea Salonga on Twitter: "Hey, UK! I'm so excited to announce that I..."". Twitter. Archived from the original on March 4, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  158. ^ Salonga, Lea (October 25, 2021). "Lea Salonga on Twitter: "Dream Again 2022. Tix @ http://LeaSalonga.com. #dreamagaintour 🎤🌌💕😊💁🏻‍♀️"". Twitter. Archived from the original on May 18, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  159. ^ "Lea Salonga Christmas Concert". World Expo. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  160. ^ "National Memorial Day Concert | Lea Salonga Performs "The Prayer"". PBS. May 31, 2022. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  161. ^ Harms, Talaura (September 28, 2021). "In the News: Lea Salonga Tapped for Pretty Little Liars Reboot, Billy Porter and Henry Tisch Elected to Actors Fund Board". Playbill. Archived from the original on October 7, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  162. ^ Washington, Jasmine (September 8, 2022). "Everything We Know About Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin Season 2". Seventeen. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  163. ^ Gans, Andrew (September 9, 2022). "Lea Salonga and Sophia Anne Caruso Lead Workshop of New Frank Wildhorn Musical The Song of Bernadette". Playbill. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  164. ^ a b Mansoor, Sanya (September 25, 2022). "Lea Salonga, Voice of Disney Princesses, Is a Life-Long Role Model for Kids of Color". Time. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  165. ^ Cua, Aric John Sy (October 28, 2022). "Lea Salonga sings Jose Mari Chan classic with Pentatonix's new Christmas album". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on October 29, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  166. ^ "Broadway Actress Lea Salonga to Join The Tabernacle Choir for Christmas Concerts". The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints. October 21, 2022. Archived from the original on October 21, 2022. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  167. ^ Pierce, Scott D. (December 16, 2022). "Tabernacle Choir boss is a stern taskmaster, says who? A Disney princess". The Salt Lake Tribune. Archived from the original on December 16, 2022. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  168. ^ Putman, Leah. "Tony and Olivier Winner Lea Salonga Will Star in Broadway's Here Lies Love". Playbill. Archived from the original on February 27, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  169. ^ Gans, Andrew (February 15, 2023). "Wayne Brady, Lea Salonga, Ali Stroker, More Set for 2023 Broadway Backwards Concert". Playbill. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  170. ^ Venkatraman, Sakshi (April 25, 2023). "Actor Lea Salonga and chef Edward Lee are among the stars at S. Korea state visit". NBC News. Archived from the original on June 20, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  171. ^ "A100 List". Gold House. May 1, 2023. Archived from the original on May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  172. ^ Masseron, Meg (June 15, 2023). "New Musical Wild About You to Record Album Featuring Lea Salonga, Alex Newell, Joaquina Kalukango, and More". Playbill. Archived from the original on June 20, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  173. ^ Gans, Andrew (February 13, 2023). "Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga Will Star in Limited West End Run of Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends". Playbill. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  174. ^ "Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends delayed as Haydn Gwynne withdraws from the production". September 7, 2023. Archived from the original on September 7, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  175. ^ Adeyemi, Boluwatife (April 10, 2024). "Pretty Little Liars: Summer School Premiere Date Revealed, Original Sin Season 2 Gets New Villain". Screen Rant. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  176. ^ Cristi, A.A. (June 10, 2024). "Michael Urie, Lea Salonga And More Join DOES THIS MURDER MAKE ME LOOK GAY? Audio Fiction Series". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  177. ^ Wild, Stephi (December 4, 2023). "Lea Salonga Will Embark on a New UK Tour in 2024". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  178. ^ "Lea Salonga and Dolly De Leon to star in 'Request sa Radyo' stage play". GMA News Online. June 25, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  179. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (June 24, 2024). "Lea Salonga, Dolly de Leon Will Alternate in Wordless Solo Play About Filipino Working Class". Playbill. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  180. ^ Hall, Margaret (September 3, 2024). "Lea Salonga Releasing New Holiday Album, Sounding Joy". Playbill. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  181. ^ Stump, Scott (November 28, 2024). "Elmo, Oscar and Big Bird make an appearance on the 'Sesame Street' float". Today. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  182. ^ Mangalindan, JP (August 15, 2024). "Finding Your Roots Season 11 Will Feature Chrissy Teigen, Kristen Bell and Laurence Fishburne (Exclusive)". People. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  183. ^ Cullwell-Block, Logan. "Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga Will Star in Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends on Broadway", Playbill, April 8, 2024
  184. ^ Evans, Greg. "Bernadette Peters & Lea Salonga To Headline New Sondheim Broadway Revue 'Old Friends'; Pre-Broadway Staging Set For L.A.", Deadline Hollywood, April 8, 2024
  185. ^ "Lea Salonga: By Heart". AllMusic. Archived from the original on March 14, 2016. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  186. ^ a b Ng, David (March 2, 2011). "Influences: Broadway star and Tony winner Lea Salonga". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 18, 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  187. ^ "PERFECTIONIST, PROFESSIONAL AND PATIENT: A Lea Salonga Interview". US Asians. Archived from the original on October 18, 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  188. ^ Lea Salonga [@MsLeaSalonga] (August 17, 2013). "I'm a alto/mezzo. My natural voice sits low to midrange" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  189. ^ Malonzo-Balane, Cristina (February 26, 2015). "Lea Salonga advises The Voice semi-finalists not to use their stories to campaign for votes". PUSH: Philippines' Ultimate Showbiz Hub. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  190. ^ Almo, Nerisa (July 28, 2018). "What Regine Velasquez refuses to do in singing talent search show". PEP.ph. Archived from the original on December 10, 2020. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
  191. ^ Fuamoli, Sosefina (June 11, 2012). "Live Review: Lea Salonga – Adelaide Festival Theatre, Adelaide (10 June 2012)". theaureview.com. Archived from the original on June 20, 2012. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  192. ^ Stasio, Marilyn (November 8, 2015). "Broadway Review: 'Allegiance' with Lea Salonga and George Takei". Variety. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  193. ^ Reed, Rex (November 11, 2015). "Two Musicals: Only One Worth Seeing". Observer. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  194. ^ "Reflection Lea Salonga Digital Sheet Music". MusicNotes. April 2, 2007. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved September 29, 2012.(Purchase required)
  195. ^ Shaivitz, Marla (February 20, 2014). "#TBT: Lea Salonga and Menudo, the Ricky Martin Years". HC3. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  196. ^ Rimon, Jg (December 1989). "Leveraging messages and corporations: the Philippine experience". Integration (Tokyo, Japan) (22): 37–44. PMID 12316164 – via PubMed.
  197. ^ Aguilar, R. (October 1993). "Telephone provides "instant friend"". Network (Research Triangle Park, N.C.). 14 (2): 22. PMID 12287150 – via PubMed.
  198. ^ Montenegro, Candice (May 19, 2011). "Lea Salonga: You don't have to use contraceptives to be pro-RH". GMA News. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  199. ^ "Lea Salonga is UN goodwill ambassador in fight vs hunger". ABS-CBN News. ABS-CBN Corporation. Agence France-Presse. October 15, 2010. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  200. ^ "Get Involved: Lea Salonga". Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. January 15, 2013. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013 – via www.fao.org.
  201. ^ Varley, Eddie (October 19, 2009). "STAGE TUBE: Lea Salonga Sings at the Typhoon Ondoy Relief Benefit". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on November 3, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  202. ^ Gieseke, Winston (October 3, 2011). "Lea Salonga: Reflections on Her Journey (And Ours)". The Advocate. Archived from the original on November 3, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  203. ^ "Lea Salonga reiterates support to LGBTs by tackling inconsistency of haters". Outrage. February 21, 2016. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  204. ^ Caedo, Tisha (October 26, 2018). "Lea Salonga Wants Same-Sex Marriage To Be Legalized In The PH". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  205. ^ Salonga, Lea (March 29, 2021). "Meanwhile... this is still happening". Twitter. Archived from the original on July 2, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  206. ^ Moya, Jove (April 22, 2021). "Stop Asian Hate: Hilary Clinton, Lucy Liu, Lea Salonga Come Together In Solidarity". Tatler. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  207. ^ Lea Salonga: Your Songs Archived October 11, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, AllMusic.com, accessed October 10, 2018
  208. ^ Eusebio, Aaron Brennt (December 17, 2022). "WATCH: Lea Salonga joins Pentatonix in singing Jose Mari Chan's classic Christmas song, 'Christmas In Our Hearts'". GMA Network. Archived from the original on December 21, 2022. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  209. ^ Oliveros, Oliver (October 12, 2010). "Photo Flash: Salonga, Boe et al. in the LES MIS Anniversary Concert". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  210. ^ Nassour, Ellis (March 11, 2018). "Lea Salonga On Theater, Song & Family". New York Lifestyles Magazine. Archived from the original on December 26, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  211. ^ Sayco, Julia (March 29, 2021). "Lea Salonga: Pride of the Philippines". aapc-ud.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  212. ^ Weaver, Sarah Jane (January 3, 2023). "Episode 117: An interfaith conversation on 'sharing goodness' and the Tabernacle Choir, with social media influencers from the Philippines". Church News. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  213. ^ a b "Salonga, Lea 1971– | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Archived from the original on July 28, 2022. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  214. ^ Branigin, William (December 29, 1990). "LATEST 'SAIGON' BATTLE FOCUSES ON ACTRESS". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on October 31, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  215. ^ Drogin, Bob (January 9, 1991). "A Scream of Joy Heard From 'Saigon' to Broadway : Stage: Lea Salonga celebrates after winning the lead role in the Broadway opening. But the actress admits she's 'a little afraid' of New York". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 31, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  216. ^ "Fil-Am Ali Ewoldt on Broadway success, inspiration from Lea Salonga". GMA News. October 1, 2018. Archived from the original on November 19, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  217. ^ a b Radulovic, Petrana (October 22, 2020). "Over the Moon's Asian-American cast on what the movie means for them". Polygon. Archived from the original on November 19, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  218. ^ Fernando, Jeff (May 12, 2017). "Rachelle Ann Go says Lea Salonga gave her the push to try musical theater abroad". ABS-CBN. Archived from the original on November 19, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  219. ^ Roque, Nika (March 31, 2023). "Vanessa Hudgens says that Lea Salonga is her singing inspiration". GMA News. Archived from the original on April 8, 2023. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  220. ^ Jacobs, Arielle (March 22, 2024). "Happy 10 year anniversary to a show..." Facebook. Retrieved April 3, 2024. Aladdin has always been a point of Filipino pride, & Asian pride in general, because, of course, the original singing voice of Princess Jasmine is the great Lea Salonga (who many of you know was my inspiration). Because Lea did everything… I knew I could do anything.
  221. ^ Basco, Karl Cedrick (August 25, 2023). "Vina Morales shrugs off possible comparisons to Lea Salonga in Broadway debut". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved April 3, 2024. 'She's actually an inspiration to all of us kasi she started Broadway. And now, a lot of actors are given the chance to do Broadway because she was one of the first who did Broadway. She's an inspiration to us,' she said.
  222. ^ Ping, Teng Yong (August 17, 2022). "Bella Poarch admits to crush on Joshua Garcia: 'We message a lot'". Yahoo Philippines. Archived from the original on November 19, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  223. ^ "NICOLE SCHERZINGER Hopes To Collaborate With LEA SALONGA: "I Always Looked Up To Her"". YouTube. March 4, 2021. Archived from the original on November 19, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  224. ^ "TODAY surprises Lola Tung with message from Lea Salonga". Today. February 5, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  225. ^ "Stars Who Won a Tony Award and an Olivier Award for the Same Role". www.tonyawards.com. Archived from the original on July 27, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  226. ^ Calderon, Nora V. (February 7, 2020). "Kathryn Bernardo, Alden Richards, Aga Muhlach, Xia Vigor lead 51st Box Office Entertainment Awards winners". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on September 17, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  227. ^ "Lea Salonga celebrated as cultural icon at Madame Tussauds Singapore". Manila Standard. June 6, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  228. ^ Purnell, Kristofer (September 14, 2024). "'Creepy but a treat': Lea Salonga on her Madame Tussauds wax figure". The Philippine Star. Retrieved September 15, 2024.

Further reading

edit
edit
  NODES
Association 1
chat 1
COMMUNITY 1
inspiration 5
INTERN 22
Note 4
Project 1
twitter 9