Lea Salonga Becomes First Filipina Honored with Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
Lea Salonga will receive a Hollywood Walk of Fame star, becoming the first Filipina to earn the honor.
Lea Salonga, celebrated for her Tony-winning role as Kim in the original “Miss Saigon,” is slated to become the 2,855th honoree of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the first Filipina to receive the accolade. Though her career has centered on musical theatre, she also provided the singing voice for Princess Jasmine in “Aladdin” and for Mulan in Disney’s animated features. Later this month she will appear in DreamWorks Animation’s fantasy adventure “Forgotten Island,” which draws on Philippine mythology.
Salonga’s son, Nic Chien, came out as trans in 2025, prompting her to become an outspoken LGBTQ+ ally. She expressed anger over anti-trans legislation, saying it fuels fear for her child and other young people. The star ceremony highlights both her artistic legacy and her advocacy work.
Why it matters
Salonga's milestone spotlights Filipino representation in Hollywood while underscoring the importance of trans rights advocacy.
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