Lea Salonga facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lea Salonga OL
Salonga in 2025
Born	Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga (1971-02-22) February 22, 1971 (age 54) Manila, Philippines
Occupation	Singer actress columnist
Years active	1978–present
Works	Discography screen and stage
Spouse(s)	Robert Charles Chien ​ (m. 2004)​
Children	1
Relatives	Gerard Salonga (brother) Maniya Barredo (cousin) Shay Mitchell (cousin)
Awards	Full list
Honors	Presidential Merit Award Order of Lakandula
Musical career
Genres	OPM pop musical theatre
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Atlantic Arista Capitol EMI Philippines Sony Music Philippines WEA Walt Disney
Signature

Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga (born February 22, 1971), known as Lea Salonga, is a famous Filipino singer, actress, and writer. People admire her strong, clear voice and how well she shows feelings in her performances. She is seen as one of the best stage performers of her time. For over 40 years, she has starred in big shows on Broadway and in London's West End. She has also been in movies and TV shows, released popular music, and performed all over the world.

Lea Salonga started acting in musicals in the Philippines when she was a child. Her big break came in 1989 when she played Kim in Miss Saigon in London. She later played the same role on Broadway in 1991. She continued her success on Broadway, playing Éponine and Fantine in Les Misérables. She also had important roles in other musicals like Flower Drum Song, Allegiance, and Once on This Island. In movies, she was praised for her roles in Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal and Sana Maulit Muli. Lea Salonga is also the singing voice for Disney princesses Jasmine in Aladdin and Mulan in Mulan and Mulan II. On TV, she appeared in shows like That's Entertainment and As the World Turns. She has also been a coach on singing reality shows like The Voice of the Philippines.

Lea Salonga started her music career at age ten. Her first album, Small Voice, was released in 1981 and quickly became a gold-certified hit in the Philippines. She later signed with Atlantic Records and released her self-titled album in 1993, which went platinum. She has performed in sold-out concerts in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Some of her famous venues include Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House.

She has won many awards, including a Laurence Olivier Award and a Tony Award. She was the first Asian actress to win a Tony Award. She was also the first Filipino artist to sign with a major international record label. In 2026, she will get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Philippine Presidents Corazon Aquino and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo have also given her special awards for her contributions to the arts and for representing the Philippines.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Growing Up and First Steps on Stage

Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga was born on February 22, 1971. Her parents were Maria Ligaya Alcantara Imutan and Feliciano Genuino Salonga Jr. She has a younger brother named Gerard. When she was three, her aunt taught her how to sing. At age six, her family moved from Angeles City to Quezon City, and then to San Juan.

As a child, Lea loved singing at family gatherings. Her cousin, who worked with Repertory Philippines, encouraged her to try out for a play. She made her first professional stage appearance in The King and I in 1978 when she was seven. She later played the main role in Annie in 1980 and again in 1984. She also appeared in other plays like The Sound of Music and The Fantasticks.

First Album and TV Shows

In 1981, Lea released her first album, Small Voice. It quickly became a gold record in the Philippines. She also made her first movie appearance in the comedy film Tropang Bulilit. As a young performer, Lea won three Aliw Awards for Best Child Performer. From 1983 to 1985, she had her own TV music show called Love, Lea. She was also part of the teen variety show That's Entertainment.

In 1985, Lea and her brother Gerard sang a song called "Musika, Lata, Sipol at La La La" at a music festival. It won second prize. That same year, she performed before the Puerto Rican boy band Menudo at their concerts in Manila. She also appeared on their English-Tagalog album, In Action. As a teenager, Lea continued acting in movies like Ninja Kids and Captain Barbell. She finished high school as the top student in her class. She then started studying to become a doctor at Ateneo de Manila University.

Miss Saigon and Disney Fame

Becoming Kim in Miss Saigon

In 1989, Lea Salonga got the main role of Kim in the first production of the musical Miss Saigon in London. She was only 17 when she first auditioned in Manila. She sang "On My Own" from Les Misérables. After hearing her, the judges asked for another song, and she sang "The Greatest Love of All." She impressed them so much that she was offered the lead role.

For her amazing performance as Kim, Lea won the 1990 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical. She was one of the youngest people to ever win this award. In 1990, she also received a special award from Philippine President Corazon Aquino for her contributions to the arts.

Broadway Success and Disney Princesses

When Miss Saigon opened on Broadway in 1991, Lea played Kim again. She won a Tony Award, becoming the first Asian actress to win this prestigious award. She was also the second-youngest actress to win it. In 1999 and 2001, she returned to play Kim on Broadway to help close the show.

In 1991, People magazine named her one of the "50 Most Beautiful People." In 1992, she became the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in Disney's animated movie Aladdin. Later, she joined the Broadway show Les Misérables.

More Musicals and Movies

Les Misérables and Other Roles

In 1993, Lea Salonga played Éponine in Les Misérables on Broadway. She was the first Asian actress to play this role on Broadway. She also sang "A Whole New World" from Aladdin at the Academy Awards in Los Angeles, where the song won an Oscar. That same year, she released her first international album with Atlantic Records. In 1994, Lea performed in musicals in the Philippines and Singapore, including Grease and My Fair Lady.

In 1995, Lea starred in the TV movie Redwood Curtain in the U.S. She then returned to the Philippines to star in the movie Sana Maulit Muli. She also played Éponine again in the 10th-anniversary concert of Les Misérables in London. In 1996, she continued to play Éponine in the West End production of Les Misérables.

Marriage and Continued Work

From 1997 to 2000, Lea recorded music and performed in concerts in the Philippines and London. She also returned to Miss Saigon several times. In 1997, her album I'd Like to Teach The World to Sing sold gold in the Philippines. In 1998, she provided the singing voice for Mulan in the Disney movie Mulan. She later sang for the sequel, Mulan II, in 2004.

In 2001, Lea met American businessman Robert Chien while performing in Flower Drum Song. They married in 2004. After her last performances in Miss Saigon on Broadway, Lea joined the TV show As the World Turns. She also appeared on the TV medical drama ER.

In 2002, Lea returned to Broadway to play the main role of Wu Mei-Li in Flower Drum Song. Her performance was highly praised by critics. She also performed in a play called Proof in Manila. From 2003 to 2004, Lea performed in her first "all-Filipino" concert in Manila called Songs from Home. She won an Aliw Award as Entertainer of the Year for this concert.

Global Performances and Recognition

Concert Tours and Awards

In 2005, Lea Salonga had her first concert tour in the U.S. She performed to a sold-out crowd at Carnegie Hall. That same year, she received the Golden Artist Award at the FAMAS Awards for her international achievements. She also performed at the grand opening of Hong Kong Disneyland. In 2006, Lea sang "Triumph of the One" at the closing ceremony of the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar.

In 2007, Lea released her album Inspired, which became platinum in the Philippines. On August 14, 2007, she received the Order of Lakandula from Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. This award recognized her use of talent to help Philippine society and share culture. She also received the Congressional Medal of Achievement from the House of Representatives of the Philippines.

In March 2007, Lea returned to Broadway to play Fantine in Les Misérables. Her return helped boost ticket sales for the musical. She received great reviews for her performance.

Writing and More Tours

In 2008, Lea performed concerts in the Philippines, California, Hawaii, Hong Kong, and Guam. On July 3, 2008, she started writing a column called "Backstory" for the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper. She has written many columns since then. From late 2008 to mid-2009, Lea played the main role in the Asian tour of Cinderella.

In 2009, Lea performed a series of concerts in North America. She also sang the patriotic song "Bayan Ko" at the memorial service for former President Corazon Aquino. Lea celebrated 20 years of Miss Saigon with concerts called Lea Salonga... Your Songs. In 2010, she played Grizabella in the Manila run of Cats. In October, she played Fantine again in the 25th Anniversary Concert of Les Misérables.

Lea Salonga was honored as a Disney Legend on August 19, 2011. She was also one of the judges for the Miss Universe 2011 pageant. In 2012, Lea performed in a concert series called The Magic of Broadway and Disney Favorites. She also starred in the first production of Allegiance in San Diego.

Coaching and Broadway Returns

The Voice and New Musicals

In January 2013, Lea Salonga performed in a concert series at Lincoln Center. In February, she sang the theme song for the TV show Kanta Pilipinas. She also starred as Mother in a concert performance of Ragtime. Lea was one of the four coaches for the TV show The Voice of the Philippines, which started in June 2013. In December 2013, Lea began her "Lea Salonga: Playlist" concert tour in the Philippines. This celebrated her 35 years in show business.

In 2014, she returned for the second season of The Voice of the Philippines. She also joined the new Philippine version of The Voice Kids, where she has appeared for three seasons. Lea recorded a song for a charity album called Children In Need. She also toured Asia and North America with the group Il Divo. In 2015, she performed concerts in Australia. Lea played Kei Kimura again in the 2015–16 Broadway production of Allegiance. Critics praised her voice and performance.

In Manila in November 2016, she played Helen Bechdel in the musical Fun Home. Reviewers said she gave a "finely tuned performance" and showed deep emotions. In 2016, Lea won two more Aliw Awards, including her second Entertainer of the Year award. In 2017, she was a coach on The Voice Teens. She also released an album called Bahaghari: Lea Salonga Sings Traditional Songs of the Philippines. Lea played Erzulie in the 2017 Broadway revival of Once on This Island. She received praise for her singing. The cast recording for Once on This Island was nominated for a Grammy Award.

Recent Work and Future Plans

Movies, Tours, and New Roles

Lea Salonga appeared in the musical film Yellow Rose, which premiered in 2019. She also toured North America and the United Kingdom that year. Later in 2019, she played Mrs. Lovett in a revival of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Manila and Singapore. Critics loved her "crystalline tones" and called her performance a "career-high."

In March 2020, Lea announced that her North American tour would be rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, she performed in many online fundraising events. In August 2020, she released her song "Dream Again," which was about hope. In November 2020, her 2019 concert at the Sydney Opera House was shown on the PBS series Great Performances.

In 2021, Lea Salonga voiced the Mysterious Woman in the Netflix series Centaurworld. She then announced her "Dream Again Tour" for the United States and Canada. In December 2021, she performed a Christmas concert in Dubai.

Return to Stage and Screen

In April 2022, Lea Salonga began her Dream Again Tour in the United States and Canada. She also sang "The Prayer" at the 2022 National Memorial Day Concert in Washington, D.C. In July 2022, the TV series Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin premiered on HBO Max, with Lea playing Elodie Honrada. In September 2022, TIME magazine recognized Lea at the TIME100 Impact Awards for being a "life-long role model for children of color." In December 2022, Lea performed with The Tabernacle Choir in Christmas concerts in Salt Lake City, Utah.

In February 2023, it was announced that Lea Salonga would be a producer and appear in the Broadway production of Here Lies Love. She played Aurora Aquino, a Filipino role, which was her first time playing a Filipino character on Broadway. She also performed concerts across the United States. In April 2023, Lea performed for U.S. President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol at a White House dinner. In May 2023, she received the Gold Legend Honor from Gold House for her contributions to the Asian Pacific community. In September 2023, she starred alongside Bernadette Peters in the musical show Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends in London's West End.

Lea reprised her role as Elodie in Pretty Little Liars: Summer School, which premiered in May 2024. In June 2024, Lea began her third U.K. concert tour, "Stage, Screen & Everything In Between." In October 2024, Lea starred in a Filipino play called Request sa Radyo in Manila. On November 1, 2024, Lea released Sounding Joy, her first holiday album in over 20 years. That same month, she performed on the Sesame Street float at the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

In January 2025, Lea Salonga appeared on an episode of Finding Your Roots. In March 2025, Lea and Bernadette Peters reprised their roles in the Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends. In April 2025, Lea made a guest appearance on the TV show The Cleaning Lady. In May 2025, Lea will receive an award for her achievements in musical theater at the 91st Annual Drama League Awards. Lea will return to the Philippines to play The Witch in Into the Woods in August 2025. She is also set to star in the short film The Vale – Origins. In the fall of 2025, Lea will continue her "Stage, Screen & Everything In Between Tour" in North America.

Musical Style and Voice

Singing Style and Influences

Lea Salonga's music includes many styles, like musical theater, pop, and Filipino music (OPM). In her pop songs, she often sings emotional ballads and "simple love songs." Her singing is known for being heartfelt, clear, and dramatic, showing her background in stage performances. She tells stories with her voice, focusing on deep feelings and characters.

Lea also sings jazz songs, show tunes, and modern Broadway music. She uses her classical vocal training and dramatic skills in her music. She often mixes Western and Filipino music styles, which helps her connect with different audiences.

Lea has said that many artists influenced her singing. Some of her earliest influences include ABBA, The Carpenters (especially Karen Carpenter), Olivia Newton-John, The Osmonds, Elaine Paige, and Barbra Streisand. She admired how they could show emotion with clear singing. Lea said, "They had clear voices that really helped the listener focus on the lyrics besides the tone and music." She has always admired Barbra Streisand, calling her an idol for her work as a singer, actress, and producer.

Her Voice

Lea Salonga has a mezzo-soprano voice, which means her natural singing range is from low to middle. She has said her voice sits "low to midrange." However, her roles often require her to sing with great skill and control. For example, in Miss Saigon, she used a wide range of notes, showing both soft and strong emotions. In her Disney Princess roles, she used a lighter, higher voice, showing her ability to change her singing style for animated characters.

Lea is known for her excellent singing technique, perfect pitch, and expressive way of performing. Many say she has absolute pitch, which is a rare ability to identify musical notes perfectly. Critics have praised her voice, calling it "golden" and "clear and as sparkling as Baccarat crystal." These compliments show her technical skill and how much emotion she puts into her performances.

Lea Salonga's singing is clear, controlled, and full of emotion. She can show a wide range of feelings easily. Whether she is singing a Broadway song or a Filipino classic, her voice always shows careful attention to how she sings words, controls her breath, and expresses feelings. Her performances are often described as both disciplined and heartfelt.

Helping Others

Health Education and Equality

In 1987, Lea Salonga helped lead a campaign called the Philippine Young People's Project. This project aimed to teach young people about responsible health choices. Lea promoted a phone hotline called Dial-A-Friend, which offered private advice on mental health and relationships.

In 2011, Lea supported a bill about reproductive health, which later became the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 (RH Law). She said that even though some people disagreed, the bill was meant to help "every single Filipino."

Lea has always supported equality for all people. In 2009, she said, "I believe that every single human being has the fundamental right to marry whoever they want." In 2011, The Advocate magazine called her a "major gay icon" because of her early support. In 2016, Lea spoke out against negative comments made by a Filipino politician about LGBTQ people. She also said in 2018, "Trans rights are human rights, and trans people will not be erased."

Lea also supports her own family in their journey. In April 2025, she shared in People magazine that she supports her transmasculine child, Nic. She said it is important to meet each child "where they are" and give them unconditional love.

Fighting Hunger and Hate

On October 15, 2010, Lea Salonga became a Goodwill Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. She said she was honored to help in the global effort to support hungry and poor people. As an ambassador, Lea has worked to promote sustainable farming and food security.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lea spoke out against the rise of anti-Asian racism and violence. In March 2021, she condemned attacks against Asian Americans and asked for action. In April 2021, she joined a forum called "#AAPI Women Strong: Organizing Beyond a Hashtag." She talked about how anti-Asian violence affects women especially. Lea's work helped the wider Stop Asian Hate movement, raising awareness and calling for changes.

Personal Life

Lea Salonga married Robert Charles Chien, an American businessman, on January 10, 2004. Their wedding was shown on TV. They met when Lea was performing in the musical Flower Drum Song. They have one child, Nic, who was born on May 16, 2006.

In June 2024, Lea publicly shared her support for her child, Nic, who came out as transmasculine at age 14. In an April 2025 interview, she said that she and her husband fully support Nic's journey. Lea emphasized how important it is to support children and have open, loving communication in the family.

Lea and her family live in both the United States and the Philippines. This allows her to continue her international performing career and support her son's education.

Discography

Solo Albums

• Small Voice (1981)
• Lea (1988)
• Lea Salonga (1993)
• I'd Like to Teach The World to Sing (1997)
• By Heart (1999)
• Lea Salonga: The Christmas Album (2001)

Cast Recordings and Soundtracks

• Miss Saigon (Original London Cast Recording) (1989)
• Aladdin (Soundtrack Recording) (1992)
• Mulan (Soundtrack Recording) (1998)
• Flower Drum Song (Revival Cast Recording) (2002)
• Mulan II (Soundtrack Recording) (2005)
• Allegiance (Original Broadway Cast Recording) (2016)
• Once on This Island (First Broadway Revival Cast Recording) (2018)

Live Recordings

• Les Misérables: The Dream Cast in Concert (1995)
• Les Misérables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary (2010)

Screen and Stage Appearances

Lea Salonga has been a very busy actress since 1978. She has appeared in many films, TV shows, and theater productions around the world.

On Screen

Movies

• Pik Pak Boom (1988)
• Aladdin (1992)
• Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal (1992)
• Sana Maulit Muli (1995)
• Mulan (1998)
• My Neighbor Totoro (2004)
• Mulan II (2004)
• Yellow Rose (2019)

Television Shows

• That's Entertainment (1986)
• Redwood Curtain (1995)
• As the World Turns (2001, 2003)
• Sofia the First (2012, 2014)
• The Voice of the Philippines (2013, 2014–15)
• The Voice Kids (2014–2019)
• The Voice Teens (2017, 2020)
• Centaurworld (2021)
• Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin (2022)
• Pretty Little Liars: Summer School (2024)

On Stage

Broadway Shows

• Miss Saigon (1991–1992, 1999, 2001)
• Les Misérables (1993)
• Flower Drum Song (2002–2003)
• Les Misérables (2007)
• Allegiance (2015–2016)
• Once on This Island (2017–2018, 2018–2019)
• Here Lies Love (2023)
• Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends (2025)

West End Shows (London)

• Miss Saigon (1989–1990, 1999)
• Les Misérables (1996)
• Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends (2023–2024)

Manila Shows (Philippines)

• The King and I (1978)
• Annie (1980, 1984)
• My Fair Lady (1994)
• Grease (1995)
• Miss Saigon (2000)
• Cinderella (2008)
• Cats (2010)
• Fun Home (2016)
• Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2019)
• Into the Woods (2025)

Achievements and Legacy

Salonga featured on a 2021 Philippine stamp

Lea Salonga is often called the "Pride of the Philippines." She became famous in the Philippines at a young age. She won Best Child Performer at the Aliw Awards three times and was nominated for Best Child Actress at the FAMAS Awards. Because of her success as a child singer and actress, she was known as the "Shirley Temple of the Philippines." Many singers and actors, especially those of Asian descent, have said Lea Salonga inspired them.

In 2011, Lea was named a "Disney Legend" for her work with Disney. She was the singing voice for Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and Fa Mulan in Mulan and Mulan II. In September 2022, TIME magazine honored Lea at the TIME100 Impact Awards. They recognized her for being a "life-long role model for children of color." In 2023, she received the Gold Legend Honor from Gold House. In September 2024, a wax figure of Lea Salonga was placed in the Madame Tussauds Singapore museum. This honored her amazing talent and contributions to entertainment.

For her role as Kim in Miss Saigon, Lea Salonga won the Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical in 1990. She then made history as the first Asian actress to win a Tony Award. She was also the second-youngest actress to win for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical. She later became the first Asian actress to play Éponine in the Broadway production of Les Misérables in 1993. In 1993, she also became the first Filipino artist to sign with a major international record label, Atlantic Records.

In 1990, Philippine President Corazon Aquino gave her the Presidential Medal of Merit for her work in the arts. In 2007, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo honored Lea with the rank of Commander of the Order of Lakandula. This was to recognize how she used her talents to help Philippine society and share culture. The House of Representatives of the Philippines also gave her the Congressional Medal of Achievement. This award recognized her 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."

On July 3, 2025, it was announced that Lea Salonga will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Published Works

Books

• 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

• "Backstory." Inquirer Entertainment. Makati, Metro Manila: Philippine Daily Inquirer; Inquirer Holdings, Inc. ISSN 0116-0443. 2008–present.

Audiobooks

• Ko, Lisa (Author); Lea Salonga (Narrator). The Contractors (2020). Amazon Original Stories. ASIN B08FF2W658.

See also

In Spanish: Lea Salonga para niños

• Filipinos in the New York metropolitan area
• Honorific nicknames in popular music
• List of people with absolute pitch
• Recipients of Presidential Medal of Merit in the Philippines
• Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical