Lea Salonga is set to make history as the first full-blooded Filipino to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The award-winning actress and singer joins the Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2026 in the Live Theatre/Live Performance category.
Organisers will hold her star ceremony in early September.
The ceremony will coincide with the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF), which runs from September 3 to 6 in Los Angeles. Salonga will also receive the MIFF Icon Award during the festival’s closing night.
MIFF played a key role in Salonga’s Hollywood Walk of Fame nomination.
Salonga reflects on the honour
In a July 25, 2025 interview with ABS-CBN News, Salonga described the Walk of Fame honour as “surreal.”
She noted that the honour often goes to people who have reached a high level of recognition in the entertainment industry.
“I guess that means that I’ve gotten this level of notoriety,” Salonga said.
The 54-year-old star also reflected on her decades-long career. She said it feels good to know that people in the industry still consider her relevant and someone others can look up to.
Salonga also acknowledged the responsibility that comes with her continued success.
“It feels like there’s still a great deal of responsibility… to continue to do what it is that I do well,” she added.
From the Philippines to the international stage
Salonga began her career as a child performer in Philippine musical theatre. She later gained international fame after originating the role of Kim in the 1989 West End production of Miss Saigon.
She reprised the role on Broadway in 1991. Her performance earned her the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 1990 and the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 1991.
Salonga later played Eponine in the 1993 Broadway production of Les Misérables.
Disney fans also know her as the singing voice of Mulan and Princess Jasmine in Aladdin.
Salonga continues to expand her career
The Filipino star returned to the Philippine stage as the Witch in Into the Woods in August 2025.
She also joined Les Misérables The World Tour Spectacular in early 2026, playing Madame Thénardier.
Beyond theatre, Salonga continues to work in film and animation. She is part of the voice cast of DreamWorks’ Forgotten Island, alongside Filipina actress Liza Soberano and Filipino-American singer-songwriter H.E.R.
Her upcoming Hollywood Walk of Fame star adds another major milestone to an already historic international career.
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