Lea Salonga
Birth Place: Manila, PHILIPPINES
MISS SAIGON to Play a West End Season at the Prince Edward Theatre in 2027 (Feb 2, 2026)
John Tartaglia, Karla Puno Garcia and More Set for The Muny Season 108 Productions (Jan 30, 2026)
Mark William to Return to The Green Room 42 to Celebrate IF I CAN DREAM Album (Jan 29, 2026)
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
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STAGE CREDITS
Productions
Movies
[ 1981 ] Lisa
[ 1985 ] Angela
[ 1986 ] Rosemarie
[ 1986 ] Yoko
[ 1988 ] Mrs. Kusakabe
[ 1992 ] Jasmine's Singing Voice
[ 1995 ] Agnes
[ 1998 ] Mulan's Singing Voice
[ 2010 ] Fantine
[ 2016 ] Kei Kimura
[ 2016 ]
[ 2019 ] Gail
TV Shows
Eponine
Geri Riordan
Amparo
[ 2013-2014 ] Mulan, Jasmine
Aunt Myrna
Amalia, Dia
Elodie Honrada
Lea Salonga
[ 2022-2024 ] Elodie Honrada
Yolanda Yamada
[ 2022-2025 ] Rose Alonto
Awards and Nominations
Lea Salonga, Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends
winner
Lea Salonga, Once on this Island
winner
Lea Salonga, Allegiance
winner
Lea Salonga, Miss Saigon
winner
Lea Salonga, Miss Saigon
winner
Lea Salonga, Miss Saigon
winner
Lea Salonga , Miss Saigon
winner
Lea Salonga, Miss Saigon
Videos
Video: Kristin Chenoweth, Darren Criss & More in FINDING YOUR ROOTS Season 12 Trailer
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-10-08 14:27:28
Video: Lea Salonga & Arielle Jacobs Lead INTO THE WOODS in Manila
by Joshua Wright - 2025-08-11 09:37:29
Video: Broadway Stars on What Pride Means to Them " Jinkx Monsoon, Jonathan Groff & More
by Michael Major - 2025-06-02 16:58:05
Video: Bernadette Peters Discusses Her Friendship with Stephen Sondheim
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-05-15 14:59:00
Video: Bernadette Peters Reveals Her Favorite Stephen Sondheim Song
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-05-14 17:34:48
Video: Darren Criss Recalls Hilarious Red Carpet Story with Bernadette Peters
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-05-14 11:13:45
Video: Lea Salonga Talks Filipino Representation on Broadway and More
by Stephi Wild - 2025-05-05 09:42:56
Video: Inside Opening Night of STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS on Broadway
by Joey Mervis - 2025-04-09 12:42:01
Video: Watch Highlights from STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - 2025-03-31 15:20:31
Video: Watch Lea Salonga Read a Letter to Her 17-Year-Old Self on CBS MORNINGS
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-03-26 14:48:20
Video: Watch Bernadette Peters Sing 'Broadway Baby' on THE TONIGHT SHOW
by Michael Major - 2025-03-13 10:05:06
Video: Watch Lea Salonga Perform 'Edelweiss' From MCC MISCAST24
by Michael Major - 2025-03-10 15:58:23
Video: Watch Lauren Patten Sing 'One Song Glory' From RENT at MCC MISCAST24
by Michael Major - 2025-01-27 15:11:29
Video: In Rehearsal with the Cast of STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS
by Joey Mervis - 2025-01-27 13:30:58
Exclusive: Lea Salonga Discovers Her Family’s Forgotten Past in FINDING YOUR ROOTS
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-01-07 12:01:20
Video: Lea Salonga Reflects on MISS SAIGON Role in FINDING YOUR ROOTS Clip
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-01-06 16:10:45
Video: Watch Donny Osmond as the Pharaoh in JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT
by Michael Major - 2024-12-13 10:31:39
Video: Lea Salonga Is Repeating 'Sounding Joy' This Holiday Season
by Robert Bannon - 2024-12-06 12:29:55
Video: Lea Salonga, Dolly De Leon, & Clint Ramos of REQUEST SA RADYO in Conversation
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-08-18 11:32:03
News
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 2, 2026
Miss Saigon will play a strictly limited West End season in 2027, more than a decade since Miss Saigon last performed in London, at that same theatre.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 30, 2026
The Muny has selected the seven teams of directors, choreographers, music directors and lead designers whose creative visions will shape the Tony Award-winning theatre’s 2026 season in Forest Park.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 29, 2026
Mark William will return to The Green Room 42 to celebrate his recent album, If I Can Dream, which was recorded live there last May and dropped in August.
by Gilbert Kim Sancha - Jan 25, 2026
Since its 1980 debut in Paris, Les Misérables has transcended the medium of musical theatre to become a global cultural force.
by Stephi Wild - Jan 22, 2026
Lea Salonga and the cast of Les Misérables talk about the Manila stop of the world tour. Check out the event photos and insights!
by Stephi Wild - Jan 20, 2026
The new musical WILD ABOUT YOU recently completed a private table reading and is set for an industry reading in March, followed by its first developmental production.
by BWW Awards - Jan 16, 2026
Winners have been announced for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Philippines Awards! The 2025 Regional Awards honor regional productions, touring shows, and more which had their first performance between October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 16, 2026
Next week, 54 Below will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Sean McDermott, The History of Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 and more.
by Nicole Rosky - Jan 15, 2026
Rosie’s Theater Kids (RTKids), the nonprofit arts education organization dedicated to transforming the lives of young people through the power of the performing arts, just announced the formation of its newly established Advisory Board.
by - Jan 15, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is January 15, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 14, 2026
Rosie's Theater Kids announced the addition of Lea Salonga, Christopher Jackson, and other prominent figures to its advisory board, enhancing its mission to enrich young lives through the arts.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 9, 2026
54 Below will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Rent original stars Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp, plus many more.
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 3, 2026
Married performers Nyoy Volante and Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante will star opposite one another in the Philippine production of Into the Woods. Theatre Group Asia announced on February 7 that the couple will portray the Baker and the Baker’s Wife in the upcoming staging.
by Gilbert Kim Sancha - Dec 31, 2025
The 2025 season will forever be marked by three historic Tony Awards, cementing Filipino artists at the pinnacle of theatrical achievement. Broadway became more vibrant, more resonant, and more alive than ever, thanks to a new wave of Filipino artists who brought not only extraordinary talent and charisma but a great, unshakable pride in their heritage.
by Stephi Wild - Dec 30, 2025
The internationally acclaimed musical Les Misérables: The World Tour Spectacular will open in Manila on Jan. 20, 2026, with a run through March 1 at The Theatre at Solaire in Parañaque City.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 29, 2025
In January of 2026, 54 Below will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp, Matthew Morrison and many more.
by BWW Awards - Dec 29, 2025
This is the last chance to vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Philippines Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
by BWW Awards - Dec 22, 2025
We're in the final weeks to vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Philippines Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
by Michael Major - Dec 19, 2025
Ben Platt's Live at the Ahmanson residency has featured a surprise guest appearance every performance, including Josh Groban on opening night, Khalid, Amber Riley, Coco Jones, Demi Lovato, Rufus Wainwright, and more. See photos!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 19, 2025
Ben Platt: Live at the Ahmanson is the highest grossing concert event in Ahmanson Theatre history! With Ben Platt: Live at the Ahmanson, the Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Award winner has come back to his Los Angeles hometown theatre where he began his career.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Lea Salonga has appeared on Broadway in 9 shows.
Lea Salonga has appeared on London's West End in 2 shows.
Lea Salonga's first West End show was Miss Saigon which opened in 1989
DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE (Drama League Awards) for Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, 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.
Lea Salonga has won several prestigious awards throughout her career. She received the Best Featured Actress in a Musical at the BroadwayWorld Awards for Once on This Island and the Best Leading Actress in a Musical at the BroadwayWorld Awards for Allegiance. She was honored with the Outstanding Actress in a Musical award from the Drama Desk Awards for Miss Saigon. Additionally, she won Best Actress in a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards and the Performance award from the Theatre World Awards, both for Miss Saigon. Her performance in Miss Saigon also earned her the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, as well as the Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical at the Olivier Awards.
Videos