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Lea Salonga

Birth Place: Manila, PHILIPPINES

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BIO

LEA SALONGA is best known for her Tony Award-winning role in Miss Saigon. In addition to the Tony, she won the Olivier, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Theatre World Awards, Time100 Impact Award from Time Magazine, and the Gold Legend Award from Gold House. Most recently, Lea starred in the West End production of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, and as Aurora in Here Lies Love on Broadway, which she also produced. Lea was also the first Asian to play Eponine in the musical Les Misérables on Broadway and returned to the show as Fantine in the 2006 revival. She will next appear on Broadway in Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends at Manhattan Theatre Club. 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.” She has released 14 albums – including her latest recording, Sounding Joy – and toured all over the globe, performing sold-out concerts in landmark venues. Salonga’s talents extend to the screen, where she can be seen on MAX’s “Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin” and Sony’s “Yellow Rose” and heard on Netflix’s “Centaurworld” and FX’s “Little Demon.”


Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2025
Performer
Here Lies Love Here Lies Love
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2023
Aurora Aquino [Replacement]
Annie Annie
[Los Angeles]
Hollywood Bowl Production, 2018
Grace Farrell
Once On This Island Once On This Island
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2017
Erzulie [Replacement]
Erzulie
Fun Home Fun Home
[International Tour]
Manila Return Engagement, 2017
Helen
Fun Home Fun Home
[International Tour]
International Premiere in Manila, 2016
Helen
Allegiance Allegiance
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2015
Kei Kimura
Les Miserables Les Miserables
[Broadway]
Return Engagement [Broadway], 2006
Fantine [Replacement]
Flower Drum Song
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2002
Mei-Li
Something Good
[Broadway]
Richard Rodgers 100th Birthday Celebration, 2002
"Love, Look Away" Performer
Miss Saigon
[Broadway]
Broadway Production, 1991
Kim
Kim [Replacement]
Kim [Replacement]
Kim
Miss Saigon
[West End]
Original London Production, 1989
Kim
Les Miserables Les Miserables
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1987
Eponine [Replacement]

Productions

Here Lies LoveHere Lies Love
 
[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
Does This Murder Make Me Look Gay?!
Lea Salonga
Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin
[ 2022-2024 ] Elodie Honrada
Firebuds
Yolanda Yamada

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

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News


Review Roundup: STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Opens On Broadway Photo
Review Roundup: STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Opens On Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 9, 2025

It's a celebration of all things Steve as Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, starring two-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters and Tony Award winner Lea Salonga, celebrates its opening night on Broadway! See what the New York critics thought of this West End smash! Read the reviews!
Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli & More Look Back on Their Iconic Broadway Roles Photo
Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli & More Look Back on Their Iconic Broadway Roles
by Michael Major - Apr 7, 2025

29 Broadway legends – including Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli, Patti LuPone, André De Shields, and more – are looking back on their most iconic roles in the latest issue of New York Magazine. See photos!
STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW, OLD FRIENDS And More Come to 92NY This Spring Photo
STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW, OLD FRIENDS And More Come to 92NY This Spring
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 5, 2025

Bryce Dallas Howard, Leslie Odom, Jr., Patricia Clarkson, a Stranger Things: The First Shadow special presentation and more come to 92nd Street Y this spring. Get full details on the events!
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld April 4, 2025 Photo
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld April 4, 2025
by - Apr 4, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 4, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Lea Salonga Celebrates Her Trans Son: How Theatre Helped Her Conquer Motherhood Photo
Lea Salonga Celebrates Her Trans Son: How Theatre Helped Her Conquer Motherhood
by Michael Major - Apr 3, 2025

Lea Salonga is opening up about raising her transgender son. In a new profile in People, the Old Friends star shows love for her 18-year-old child Nic Chien, who recently started taking testosterone after coming out as transmasculine when he was 14.
Photos: STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Hosts Benefit Performance Photo
Photos: STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Hosts Benefit Performance
by Bruce Glikas - Apr 3, 2025

On April 2, Manhattan Theatre Club hosted a special benefit performance of Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, starring Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out photos here!
Video: Watch Highlights from New York City Gay Men’s Chorus HARMONY Gala Photo
Video: Watch Highlights from New York City Gay Men’s Chorus HARMONY Gala
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 1, 2025

Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley Jackson's “Stars in the House” returns to regular programming this spring. The platform just hosted The New York City Gay Men’s Chorus Annual Harmony Gala Benefit, taking place live at the Edison Ballroom at Hotel Edison. Check out highlights in this video.
Video: Watch Highlights from STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS on Broadway Photo
Video: Watch Highlights from STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 31, 2025

Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, starring two-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters and Tony Award winner Lea Salonga, is now in previews. Check out highlights of the cast in action in this video.
Video: Watch Lea Salonga Read a Letter to Her 17-Year-Old Self on CBS MORNINGS Photo
Video: Watch Lea Salonga Read a Letter to Her 17-Year-Old Self on CBS MORNINGS
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 26, 2025

In a Women's History Month edition of 'Note to Self' on CBS, Lea Salonga wrote a heartfelt letter to her 17-year-old self, reflecting on her journey from the Philippines to Broadway and more. Watch it now!
STARS IN THE HOUSE Will Return with Game Night, Passover Concert, and More Photo
STARS IN THE HOUSE Will Return with Game Night, Passover Concert, and More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 26, 2025

Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley Jackson's “Stars in the House” will return to regular programming beginning this week. Learn more about upcoming programming and see how to tune in.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld March 26, 2025 Photo
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld March 26, 2025
by - Mar 26, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is March 26, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Extends for Two More Weeks Photo
STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Extends for Two More Weeks
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 25, 2025

Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, starring two-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters and Tony Award winner Lea Salonga, has extended for two more weeks. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Photos: Andrew Rannells, Nikki M. James & More in FINN Benefit Concert Photo
Photos: Andrew Rannells, Nikki M. James & More in FINN Benefit Concert
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 18, 2025

Stars in the House just commemorated its fifth anniversary with a very special live, and of course livestreamed, show, teaming up with FINN creators Chris Nee, Michael Kooman, and Christopher Dimond to present a star-studded one-night-only concert performance of FINN. Check out photos from the concert here!
Video: FINN Takes the Stage at Town Hall Photo
Video: FINN Takes the Stage at Town Hall
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 17, 2025

Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley Jackson teamed up with FINN creators Chris Nee, Michael Kooman, and Christopher Dimond to present a one-night-only performance that also celebrated the fifth anniversary of Stars in the House. Watch the full show here!
Lea Salonga to Join HARMONY as Special Guest Photo
Lea Salonga to Join HARMONY as Special Guest
by Emmy Rice - Mar 16, 2025

Ms. Salonga will be on hand to present the Gary Miller Award to honoree George Takei for his decades of work and activism. Check here for more details.
MCC Will Release Miscast Album Featuring Aaron Tveit, Jeremy Jordan and More Photo
MCC Will Release Miscast Album Featuring Aaron Tveit, Jeremy Jordan and More
by Stephi Wild - Mar 14, 2025

A new album featuring some of the best Miscast performances from years' past will be released this month! MCC Theater's Miscast: The Studio Sessions will be released on March 28.
Video: Watch Bernadette Peters Sing 'Broadway Baby' on THE TONIGHT SHOW Photo
Video: Watch Bernadette Peters Sing 'Broadway Baby' on THE TONIGHT SHOW
by Michael Major - Mar 13, 2025

Bernadette Peters sat down on the Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon last night to discuss returning to Broadway in Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends. Watch the video of her bursting into a rendition of 'Broadway Baby.'
Michael Urie, Charlotte D'Amboise, Nina West & More Join FINN Performance at Town Hal Photo
Michael Urie, Charlotte D'Amboise, Nina West & More Join FINN Performance at Town Hall
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 12, 2025

Michael Urie, Charlotte D’Amboise, Nina West, Peppermint, Adam Pascal, Brenda Braxton, and Zachary Noah Piser have joined the star-studded cast of the special performance of FINN taking place on Monday, March 17.
Video: Watch Lea Salonga Perform 'Edelweiss' From MCC MISCAST24 Photo
Video: Watch Lea Salonga Perform 'Edelweiss' From MCC MISCAST24
by Michael Major - Mar 10, 2025

Watch a video of Lea Salonga sing 'Edelweiss' from the musical The Sound of Music at MCC Theater's MISCAST24. Miscast features stars of stage and screen who take the stage to perform songs from roles in which they would not traditionally be cast.
INTO THE WOODS Starring Lea Salonga Extends Run in the Philippines Photo
INTO THE WOODS Starring Lea Salonga Extends Run in the Philippines
by Stephi Wild - Mar 10, 2025

The production of Into The Woods in the Philippines will extend its run! The production, starring Lea Salonga, has added additional performances due to demand.   Additional show dates will be revealed on March 14.
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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?

Best Featured Actress in a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Once on this Island, Best Leading Actress in a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Allegiance, Outstanding Actress - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Miss Saigon, Best Actress - Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Miss Saigon, Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Miss Saigon, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Miss Saigon and Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Miss Saigon.

What awards has Lea Salonga won?

Lea Salonga has won several prestigious awards during her career. These include Best Featured Actress in a Musical at the BroadwayWorld Awards for Once on this Island, Best Leading Actress in a Musical at the BroadwayWorld Awards for Allegiance, and Outstanding Actress - Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Miss Saigon. Additionally, she received the Best Actress - Musical award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Miss Saigon, as well as the Performance award from the Theatre World Awards for the same show. She also won the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for Miss Saigon and the Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical at the Olivier Awards, again for Miss Saigon.

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