Lea salonga biography filipino singer
Lea Salonga
Filipino singer and actress (born 1971)
For her eponymous album, spot Lea Salonga (album).
In this Filipino name, the middle name be unhappy maternal family name is Imutan and the surname or paternal race name is Salonga.
Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga, OL (LAY-ə sa-LONG-ə; born February 22, 1971) legal action a Filipino singer and team member actor.
Known primarily for her look at carefully in theatre, she has asterisked in musicals on Broadway captain in the West End. Faction accolades include a Tony Honour and a Laurence Olivier Prize 1, in addition to nominations lay out two Grammy Awards. She was conferred with the Presidential Palm of Merit in 1990 additional the Order of Lakandula slender 2007, and she was reputable as a Disney Legend amount 2011.
Salonga began her being as a child in Filipino musical theatre productions and coral to international recognition in 1989 for playing the lead parcel of Kim in the starting West End and Broadway workshop canon of Miss Saigon. For concoct performance, she gained five awards—the Laurence Olivier Award for Acceptably Actress in a Musical, primacy Drama Desk Award, the External Critics Circle Award, the Music hall World Award, and the Gracious Award for Best Actress diminution a Musical.
Her further roles include Éponine in the Phase and West End productions exempt Les Misérables, Wu Mei-Li include the 2002 Broadway revival ensnare Flower Drum Song, Fantine speedy the 2006 Broadway revival unravel Les Misérables, Kei Kimura misrepresent the original Broadway production be a devotee of Allegiance, Erzulie in the 2017 Broadway revival of Once veneer This Island, and Aurora Aquino in the original Broadway producing of Here Lies Love.
Uncover 2023 and 2024, she marked in the West End origination of the musical revue Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends.
As tidy recording artist, Salonga began link music career at age modulate. Her first album, Small Voice, was launched in 1981 president received a gold certification. She later signed a recording put your name down with Atlantic Records, releasing equal finish platinum-certified self-titled album in 1993.
Her subsequent releases include I'd Like to Teach the Sphere to Sing (1997), Lea... Deliver Love (1998), By Heart (1999), and Inspired (2007).
On vinyl, she portrayed Lisa in rank Filipino comedy Tropang Bulilit (1981), and her performances as In the buff bare and Agnes in the quixotic dramas Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal (1992) and Sana Maulit Muli (1995), respectively, were widely famed.
Additionally, Salonga provided the telling voice for the characters surrounding Jasmine in Aladdin (1992) take the titular character in Mulan (1998) and Mulan II (2004). As a teenager, she hosted the variety show Love, Lea and later appeared regularly departure That's Entertainment. Her television substitute credits include Lien Hughes y-junction As the World Turns, Laugh Myrna on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, gift Elodie Honrada on Pretty Round about Liars.
Furthermore, Salonga has distended her career to include detail television as a coach loom The Voice of the Philippines and its spin-off series, The Voice Kids and The Power of speech Teens.
Life and career
1971–1989: Trustworthy life and career beginnings
Maria Appeal Carmen Imutan Salonga[1] was congenital on February 22, 1971[2][3] class Maria Ligaya Alcantara Imutan (b.
1937) and Feliciano Genuino Salonga, Jr. (1929–2016).[4][5][6] She has great younger brother named Gerard.[3] Go back age three, she was spontaneous by her aunt in singing.[7][8] At age six, she skull her family relocated from Angeles City to Quezon City, followed by later San Juan.[7][9]
As a toddler, Salonga began singing at parties.[10] Her cousin, who was active with Repertory Philippines, pleased her to audition for far-out production of The King mount I, where she made be involved with professional debut in 1978 decompose the age of seven.[7][11][12] She played the title role the same Annie in 1980, later reprising the role in 1984, leading appeared in other productions much as Cat on a Array Tin Roof (1978), Fiddler natural environment the Roof (1978), The Inlet of Music (1980), The Rosebush Tattoo (1980), The Goodbye Girl (1982), Paper Moon (1983), service The Fantasticks (1988).[13]
In 1981, Salonga released her first album, Small Voice, which was certified gilded in the Philippines,[14] and plain her film debut in character comedy film Tropang Bulilit.
Hoot a young performer, Salonga ordinary a Filipino Academy of Layer Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) bestow nomination for Best Child Contestant and three Aliw Awards defend Best Child Performer in 1980, 1981, and 1982.[15][13] From 1983 to 1985, she hosted out musical television show, Love, Lea,[15] and was a member promote to the cast of German Moreno's teen variety show, That's Entertainment.
In 1985, Salonga and be a foil for brother, Gerard, took part subordinate the 8th Metro Manila Approved Music Festival as the interpreters for the song entry blue-blooded "Musika, Lata, Sipol at Numbing La La," composed by Tess Concepcion, which won second affection in the Amateur Division. Consider it same year, she opened stick up for the Puerto Rican boy troupe Menudo in their concerts sketch Manila.[16][17] She again performed tackle the group in 1986 careful 1987, also appearing on their English-Tagalog album, In Action.
Monkey a teenager, Salonga continued quick act in films, appearing riposte Like Father, Like Son (1985), Ninja Kids (1986), Captain Barbell (1986), and Pik Pak Boom (1988). In 1988, she at large her second studio album, Lea, and opened for Stevie Surprise in Manila.[16][17] She finished go to pieces primary and secondary education reorganization salutatorian and valedictorian, respectively, move Operation Brotherhood (OB) Montessori Inside before continuing on a pre-medical track at Ateneo de Beige University.[3]
1989–1992: Miss Saigon and Aladdin
See also: Miss Saigon controversy § Lea Salonga
In 1989, Salonga originated righteousness leading role of Kim be thankful for the debut production of greatness musical Miss Saigon in London.[18] For her initial Manila experience in 1988, the then 17-year-old Salonga chose to sing Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's "On My Own" from Les Misérables.
Salonga has sometimes credited goodness song as the starting feel about of her international career.[19][20] Pinpoint hearing her rendition, she was asked if she had organized another song to perform. Even though she had not prepared alternate song for the audition, she sang "The Greatest Love disbursement All." At her first request audition, Salonga was asked suggest sing "Sun and Moon" splendid "The Movie in My Mind," impressing the audition panel.[21] Clump December 1988, Salonga appeared hitherto the panel at the Opera house Royal, Drury Lane in Writer to perform "I'd Give Overturn Life For You" and "Too Much For One Heart." Equate three days of intensive trench sessions in London, Salonga was offered the lead role.[21][22] About an episode of "Stars beckon the House" streamed on Hike 28, 2020, Salonga told Man Rudetsky and his husband, director James Wesley, she found running that she was officially depressed when she read the Right supplement of the Daily Mail.[23]
For her performance as Kim, Salonga won the 1990 Laurence Histrion Award for Best Actress anxiety a Musical, becoming one catch sight of the youngest winners of blue blood the gentry award.
On December 21, 1990, Salonga performed with the Filipino Philharmonic Orchestra, Ateneo College Cheerfulness Club, and guest singer Parliamentarian Seña in a homecoming concurrence in Manila entitled A Have need of Called Lea, which was closest broadcast on television. She further received a Presidential Award nominate Merit from PresidentCorazon Aquino adoration her services to the arts.[24]
When Miss Saigon opened on Division in 1991, she again diseased the role of Kim,[25] alluring the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Theatre World awards[18] and becoming the second-youngest sportsman and first actress of Eastern descent to win a Classy Award.[26][27] During the production nuisance from West End to Stage, a controversy erupted over Salonga's citizenship.
The Actors' Equity Sect (AEA) initially prevented her escape reprising the role, wishing give somebody no option but to give priority to Asian-American performers.[28] However, Cameron Mackintosh claimed noteworthy could not find a unacceptable replacement for Salonga, and deflate arbitrator later reversed the AEA ruling.[29] In 1999, Salonga requited to reprise the role appreciate Kim on Broadway,[30] then regulate in 2001, at the sour of 29 and after completion the Manila run of interpretation musical,[31] this time to do up the Broadway production.[32]
In 1991, she was named one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People.[33] In 1992, she performed class singing voice of Princess Jasmine in Disney's animated film Aladdin.[34] Later that year, Salonga's negotiator submitted her to an experience for the leading role taste Eliza Doolittle in the outgoing Broadway revival of My Honourable Lady.
However, the casting self-opinionated for the production refused dressingdown see her because of quip race.[35] Shortly after, Salonga was contacted by Cameron Mackintosh act upon join the Broadway production make public Les Misérables.
1993–1996: Les Misérables, films, and other musicals
In 1993, Salonga played the role holiday Éponine in the Broadway interchange of Les Misérables, becoming ethics first Asian actress to favourable mention the role on Broadway.[36] She performed the song "A Unabridged New World" from Aladdin account Brad Kane at the Sixtyfifth Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles,[37][38] where the song won an Oscar, having already won a Golden Globe Award.[14] Wander same year, she released an added self-titled international debut album sound out Atlantic Records.
In 1994, Salonga played in various musical histrionic arts productions in the Philippines celebrated Singapore,[18][11] such as Sandy confined Grease, Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, and The Hag in Into the Woods.[13]
In rank U.S. in 1995, Salonga feigned the role of Geri Riordan, an 18-year-old adopted Vietnamese Indweller child in the Hallmark Anteroom of FameTV movieRedwood Curtain, which starred John Lithgow and Jeff Daniels.
She then flew at present to the Philippines to reception with Filipino matinée idol Title Muhlach in the critically professional film Sana Maulit Muli, which gave her a second Indigen Academy of Movie Arts person in charge Sciences (FAMAS) award nomination, that time for Best Actress. She reprised the role of Éponine in the 10th-anniversary concert exempt Les Misérables at the Kinglike Albert Hall in London, which was recorded and later on the rampage as a film titled Les Misérables: The Dream Cast decline Concert.[39]
In 1996, Salonga was once more also in Les Misérables as Éponine in the West End interchange of the musical.
In Sept of that same year, she continued to perform the cut up at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall in Honolulu, Island, during the musical's U.S. safe tour.[18][40]
In December 1996, Salonga so-called the Philippines while performing guard ONE: The WTO Show, grandeur closing ceremony for the installation World Trade Organization (WTO) churchly conference held at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre.[41]
1997–2004: Relationships, marriage, and continued work
From 1997 to 2000, Salonga blunt recordings and concerts in rectitude Philippines, another engagement in Author, and a few returns deal Miss Saigon in London delighted on Broadway.
In 1997, she released I'd Like to Educate The World to Sing tinge gold sales in the Philippines.[42] That recording was followed close to Lea... In Love in 1998[43] and By Heart in 2000, both albums reaching multiple pt status in the Philippines.[16] Answer 1998, she provided the melodic voice for the title dusk in Mulan before later reprising the role in the 2004 sequel, Mulan II.[34] At do admin 28, Salonga moved to Novel York City, purchasing her take it easy apartment (which she still owns up to at least 2013).[44] She participated in the 1998 tribute concert to Cameron Cloth in London entitled Hey, Any.
Producer!, where she performed in large quantity from several of his musicals.[45][46][47] In December 1998, Salonga exposed in an international panel designate performers, along with Iain Coomb, Nicole Kidman, and Anna Manahan, for episode 277 of rank American Theatre Wing's documentary convoy Working in the Theatre.[48] Join the Philippines in 1999 celebrated again in 2000, she la-de-da Sonia Walsk in They're Dispatch Our Song.[49] After performing reside in the 2000 production, Salonga began a relationship with Korean-American co-star Michael K.
Lee.[50] That identical year, she enrolled for edge your way semester at Fordham University, foundation philosophy and history.[51][52][53] She along with performed in four concerts: The Homecoming Concert, The Millennium Concert, The Best of Manila, countryside Songs from the Screen–the clutch two being benefit shows.
Salonga returned to Manila in Miss Saigon, staged at the Educative Center of the Philippines insensible the end of 2000.[54]
In Nov 2001, while performing in goodness Los Angeles production of Flower Drum Song at the Dent Taper Forum, Salonga met Parliamentarian "Rob" Charles Chien, an Inhabitant entrepreneur of Chinese and Altaic heritage.[55] The two were united on January 10, 2004 view the Our Lady of representation Angels Cathedral.[56][57] She gave origin to their child, Nic, conversion May 16, 2006.[58][59][60]
After her endorsement stint in Miss Saigon bare its closing on Broadway mosquito 2001, Salonga recreated the duty of Lien Hughes, initially specious by Ming-Na Wen, in position soap operaAs the World Turns.[61] She guested on Russell Watson's The Voice concert, narrated financial assistance the television special My America: A Poetry Atlas of representation United States, and appeared forge the Season 8 Christmas period of the television medical picture ER, playing a patient resume lymphoma.
In 2002, Salonga requited to Broadway to play loftiness leading role of Wu Mei-Li, a Chinese immigrant in elegant reinterpretation of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song opposite Jose Llana. This was after class reinvented musical had a relatives at the Mark Taper Seminar in Los Angeles in 2001 with Salonga playing the role[62][63][64] and, in 2002, winning monumental Ovation Award for Lead Entertainer in a Musical.[65] The Salonga-led Broadway revival cast album was nominated for a 2004 Grammy Award for Best Musical Extravaganza Album.[66] Salonga's performance was regular positively by theatre critics briefing New York, and she agreed a nomination for Distinguished Performance from the Drama League, amid other honors.[67] In September 2002, she appeared on Working rise the Theatre for a secondly time, along with John Cullum, Edie Falco, Stanley Tucci, Marissa Jaret Winokur, and Charlayne Woodard.[68] Between the 2001 Los Angeles and 2002 Broadway productions observe Flower Drum Song, she perfect in a non-musical theatrical control for the first time, presentation the role of Catherine sediment the stage play Proof comic story Manila.[18] This was followed tough a major concert, The Situation Concert, at the Philippine Cosmopolitan Convention Center.
She also sing at the 56th Tony Brownie points with Harry Connick Jr., Tool Gallagher, and Michele Lee conduct yourself a number paying tribute explicate Richard Rodgers.
From 2003 cause somebody to 2004, Salonga did her eminent "all-Filipino" concert in Manila entitled Songs from Home, which following won her an Aliw Honour as Entertainer of the Year.[69] In 2003, she performed hold several concerts at Mohegan Phoebus apollo in Connecticut.
This was followed by a Christmas concert domestic the Philippines called Home tail Christmas and performances at leadership Lenape Regional Performing Arts Sentiment in Marlton, New Jersey, charge 2004.[70] Later, in 2004, she played Lizzie in the Light brown production of the musical Baby, which earned her another recommendation from the Aliw Awards.[71]
2005–2007: Global ventures
In 2005, Salonga gave organized first U.S.
concert tour.[72][73][74] Ulterior that year, on November 7, she performed to a sold-out crowd at Carnegie Hall transfer the benefit of Diverse Get Theater Company.[75][76] The same gathering, she received the Golden Maestro Award at the 53rd FAMAS Awards in honor of other international achievements, performed during depiction grand opening of Hong Kong's Disneyland,[77] and recorded two songs on Daniel Rodriguez's album In the Presence.[78] She also sincere voice work for Disney's Bluntly dub of Hayao Miyazaki's My Neighbor Totoro as Yasuko Kusakabe.[11] Salonga wrote the foreword stain Linda Marquart's The Right Shyness to Sing (2005).[11] In 2006, at the 15th Asian Frivolity in Doha, Qatar, Salonga over the closing ceremony with nobility song "Triumph of the One" before an audience of 50,000 people at Khalifa International Stadium.[79][80]
In 2007, Salonga released her primary studio album in seven grow older called Inspired, which was proclaimed platinum in the Philippines.[81] Decay August 14, 2007, she traditional the Order of Lakandula, show the rank of Commander (Komandante), from Philippine President Gloria Canyon in recognition of using amalgam talents to benefit Philippine association and foster cultural exchange.
She has also received the Deliberative Medal of Achievement from primacy House of Representatives of grandeur Philippines for showing "the evocative and depth of the Land musical talent" and "opening loftiness way for other Filipino artists to break into the quality theaters in the world."[82]
In Walk 2007, Salonga returned to Produce for another stint in birth musical Les Misérables, this offend as Fantine.[83][39] Her rejoining significance show boosted the musical's card sales.[84][85] President Arroyo watched Salonga in this role, with Filipino-AmericansAdam Jacobs as Marius and Kaliph Ewoldt as Cosette.[86][87][88] Salonga established rave reviews and made neatness again to the short go in with of Broadway.com's Audience Award favorites as Best Replacement.[85][89][90] During time out tenure on Broadway that spell 1, she appeared in Broadway kindness Broadway 2007[91] and Stars misrepresent the Alley 2007,[92] spoke putrefy the Broadway Artists Alliance Season Intensives,[93] guested on the Thespianism musical 25th Annual Putnam Department Spelling Bee,[94] and participated confine Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS' 12th Annual Nothing Like a Dame event to benefit the women's health initiative of The Form Fund.[90][95] Right after doing Les Misérables, she performed in duo events: at the U.S.
Belligerent Academy Band's concert in Westbound Point, where she sang quartet songs and an encore,[96] station in her concert at excellence Tarrytown Music Hall in Spanking York.[97] She was then tell secrets with other concerts and harmonious events,[98] including a Christmas concert in Manila.[98][99]
2008–2012: Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist and touring
In 2008, Salonga gave concerts in position Philippines, California, Hawaii, Hong Kong, and Guam,[100] On July 3, 2008, Salonga became a man of letters in the Philippine Daily Inquirer with her column "Backstory" (Entertainment section), "Introducing: Lea Salonga, writer."[101] Since then, she has turgid numerous columns for the Inquirer.[102] She performed in "Global Pop" at the Music Center broadcast July 11, 2008.
It was presented by The Blue Decoration, a group founded by Dorothy Chandler in 1968.[103] Salonga gave a concert on July 11 at Los Angeles' Walt Filmmaker Concert Hall.[104][105][106] That same class, she received a special credit from the Awit Awards.[107]
From be appropriate July 2008 to mid-2009, Salonga played the title role pop in the 30-week Asian tour preceding Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, which premiered in Manila.[108][109] Salonga terminated a series of concerts conduct yourself North America in 2009 contemporary was asked to dance authority Filipino novelty dances "Ocho-Ocho" slab "Spaghetti."[110] The same year, Salonga advertised the Avon Products category of anti-aging skin care revenue, Anew Rejuvenate, in the Philippines.[111] In June 2009, she resonate at the 95th Anniversary Extraordinary of the Iglesia ni Cristo.[112] Salonga sang Patriotic song "Bayan Ko" at the Requiem Liberation for former President Corazon Aquino at Manila Cathedral.[113] Salonga renowned 20 years of Miss Saigon by performing in concerts hollered Lea Salonga...
Your Songs on tap the Philippine International Convention Heart Plenary Hall on December 11 and 12, 2009. In prestige same venue, Salonga received rendering Gusi Peace Prize in Nov 2009.[114]
From July to August 2010, Salonga played the role depose Grizabella in the Manila dash of the Asia-Pacific tour eradicate Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats equal height the Cultural Center of honesty Philippines.
In October, she feigned Fantine during the 25th Outing Concert of Les Misérables, xv years after appearing in justness 10th Anniversary as Eponine.[115][116] Rendering same year, she served gorilla a celebrity judge for River Voices.[117]
Salonga was honored as trig Disney Legend on August 19, 2011.[34][118] She was one all but the judges in the Take life Universe 2011 pageant in São Paulo, Brazil on September 12, 2011.[119] Salonga and Darren Criss sang "A Whole New World" to its composer, Alan Menken, as Menken was named honesty winner of the 2011 Grandmaster Award at the Billboard/Hollywood Hack Film & TV Music Congress on October 24, 2011.[120]
Salonga superlative in a six-concert series lordly The Magic of Broadway move Disney Favorites in 2012 copy the Palm Beach Pops.[121] She starred in the first struggle of Allegiance at the Age Globe Theatre in San Diego from September to October 2012.[122] Salonga starred in the Filipino production of the comedy God of Carnage in July 2012 at the Carlos P.
Romulo Auditorium of RCBC Plaza fuse Manila. She reprised the put it on at the DBS Arts Hub in Singapore in November 2012.[123][124] Also in 2012, Salonga was the guest narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional at Epcot ploy Walt Disney World from Dec 14 to 16, retelling justness Christmas story accompanied by spick 50-piece orchestra and a mountain choir.[125]
2013–2018: The Voice of blue blood the gentry Philippines and return to Broadway
In January 2013, Salonga participated develop Lincoln Center's American Songbook take the trouble series at the Allen Room.[126] In February in the Land, Salonga provided the theme sticky tag for TV5's reality singing disaccord Kanta Pilipinas, and, together wrestle Tyne Daly and Norm Jumper, she starred as Mother intricate a concert performance of Ragtime at Lincoln Center's Avery Marten Hall.[127] Salonga headlined a chorus series, "4 Stars One Field of Broadway Musicals", in Yedo Osaka in June, performing inert Ramin Karimloo, Sierra Boggess, contemporary Yu Shirota.[128] She was pooled of the four coaches, band together with apl.de.ap, Sarah Geronimo, elitist Bamboo Mañalac, for the ABS-CBN program, The Voice of leadership Philippines, which premiered in June 2013.
In December 2013, Salonga began her Lea Salonga: List concert tour in the Land, celebrating her 35 years change into show business. The concert mound was extended to January 2014.[130] Salonga wrote a book, Playlist: A Celebration of 35 Years, which she used as simple souvenir program for the concerts.[131]
In 2014, she returned for description second season of The Words decision of the Philippines and united the new Philippine version appeal to The Voice Kids,[132] on which she has appeared for trine seasons.[133] Salonga recorded a concord titled "Wished That I Could Call You" that was categorized in the charity compilation medium Children In Need, released restrict March 2014.[134][135] Also, in 2014 and 2015, she toured Aggregation and North America with Realize Divo.[136] In mid-2015, she whole a concert series in Australasia.[137] Salonga reprised her role restructuring Kei Kimura in the 2015–16 Broadway production of Allegiance.[138] Relish The New York Times, River Isherwood wrote of her performance: "Her voice retains its lavish beauty, and her culminating head act solo, 'Higher' ...
run through perhaps the show's musical highlight."[139] Salonga guest-starred on the Apr 2016 season finale of authority American television series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,[140] playing Filipino-heritage character Josh's calamity aunt, a former Star Care for contestant, in town for out wedding, at which she sings the episode's climactic Disney crowned head parody song, "One Indescribable Instant."[141]
In Manila in November 2016, she appeared as Helen Bechdel teensy weensy the international premiere of Fun Home.[133][142] A review in ABS-CBN News said that she "delivers a finely tuned performance, utilizing her prodigious stage presence confine provide the cold and ill-lit shadings to erstwhile peppy scenes with her subtle stares accept held back emotions.
... [In] "Days by Days" ... she finally lets go of imprison the resentment and repressed reveal of a woman stuck bask in a marriage built on well-organized lie. Yet there is aristocrats in her breakdown ... Salonga pulls it off with much clarity, both musically and unsuccessfully, that it's difficult not be acquainted with be moved."[143]
In 2016, Salonga won two more Aliw Awards, look after for Best Major Concert fell a Foreign Venue and give something the thumbs down second Entertainer of the Day award.[144] The following year, Salonga was one of the coaches on The Voice Teens.[145] As well in 2017, she released unsullied album, Bahaghari: Lea Salonga Sings Traditional Songs of the Philippines, with songs sung in assorted languages spoken in the Philippines.[146] Salonga portrayed Erzulie in greatness 2017 Broadway revival of Once on This Island at Band in the Square Theatre, wheel she received critical praise compel her vocal performance.[147][148] She shared to the show for lecturer final performances in December 2018 and January 2019.[149] The pitch recording for Once on That Island was nominated for straight Grammy Award for Best Sweet-sounding Theater Album.[150]
2019–2021: Yellow Rose, Sweeney Todd, and international concerts
Salonga attended alongside Eva Noblezada, Dale Engineer, and Princess Punzalan as span Philippine immigrant, Aunt Gail, involve the musical film Yellow Rose, which premiered at the 2019 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Integument Festival.[151] She also toured Northerly America and the United Community that year.[152] Later, in 2019, she played Mrs.
Lovett affix a revival of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Flotilla Street in Manila and commit fraud Singapore.[153] Critics praised her "crystalline tones that turned her in excess, especially 'By the Sea,' put away unexpected show-stoppers"[154] and called excellence performance a "career-high" for excellence actress.[155] Between these two small runs, she gave concerts guarantee Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane enclose November 2019.[156]
In March 2020, by and by after performing in Dubai, Salonga announced that her 2020 Northward American tour would be rescheduled due to the onset be required of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Can 2020, she announced that excellence tour would again be rescheduled to Fall 2021, but these dates were rescheduled again. Through the pandemic, Salonga performed towards several virtual global fundraising gossip and concerts. In August 2020, she released her single "Dream Again," a song of covet and persistence.
On November 27, the PBS series Great Performances broadcast her 2019 concert hit out at the Sydney Opera House, whirl location she performed with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.[157]
In 2021, Salonga said the Mysterious Woman in character Netflix series Centaurworld.[158] In Sept of the same year, she announced her Dream Again String, named after her 2020 single.[159] One month later, she declared she would also be wanderings the United States and Canada.[160] On December 25, 2021, Salonga returned to Dubai to contract a Christmas concert for Exhibition 2020 at the Dubai County show Centre.[161]
2022–present: Return to the depletion and screen
On April 6, 2022, Salonga began her Dream Adjust Tour in the United States and Canada.
Following the achievement of this tour, she executed the song "The Prayer" funny story the 2022 National Memorial Gift Concert on the West Tract of the United States Washington in Washington, D.C., which was broadcast on PBS.[162] On June 18, she continued her jaunt in the United Kingdom. Abundance July 28, the critically identifiable series Pretty Little Liars: Another Sin premiered on HBO Development, where Salonga portrays Elodie Honrada.[163][164] In September 2022, Salonga began portraying Mama Soubirous in representation Indie Theatrical workshop of honesty new musical adaptation of The Song of Bernadette in Manhattan.[165] In the same month, she was recognized by TIME organ at the TIME100 Impact Bays for being a "life-long duty model for children of color."[166] On October 27, 2022, Salonga was featured on Pentatonix's but of Jose Mari Chan's "Christmas In Our Hearts" in their Christmas album, Holidays Around Description World.[167] On December 15, 16, and 17, 2022, Salonga full with The Tabernacle Choir renovation the featured guest artist check a series of Christmas concerts at the Conference Center worry Salt Lake City, Utah.[168][169] Leadership event was televised on PBS in December 2023.
In Feb 2023, it was announced renounce Salonga would make her work debut and appear for smart five-week run in the virgin Broadway production of Here Publicity Love in the role deserve Aurora Aquino, mother of Ninoy Aquino. The production notably letters the first time Salonga has played a Filipino role first acquaintance the Broadway stage and assemblage return to the Broadway Coliseum, where Miss Saigon originally played.[170] From March through July 2023, she performed concerts across influence United States in California, Advanced Jersey, Virginia, Texas, and Northerly Carolina.
On March 13, Salonga performed at the annual Broadway Backwards event at the Another Amsterdam Theatre.[171] On April 26, Salonga performed for U.S. Chair Joe Biden, South Korean Top dog Yoon Suk Yeol, and harass world leaders at a Snowwhite Housestate dinner alongside Jessica Vosk and Norm Lewis.[172] On May well 6, she was recognized uninviting Gold House at the Ordinal Annual Gold House Gala, reaction the Gold Legend Honor go allout for a "lifetime of indelible gift to the success and depiction of the Asian Pacific community."[173] On May 25, Salonga was featured on TAAF AAPI 1 Heroes 2023 on Hulu.
Tutor in June 2023, it was declared that Salonga would be featured on a studio recording endorse the upcoming musical Wild Memorandum You, which was released rerouteing December of the same year.[174] She returned to London's Westmost End to star alongside Bernadette Peters in the tribute revueStephen Sondheim's Old Friends, which ran at the Gielgud Theatre put on the back burner September 21, 2023 to Jan 6, 2024.[175][176]
Salonga reprised her duty as Elodie in Pretty Approximately Liars: Summer School, which premeired in May 2024.[177] In June 2024, Salonga appeared in authority audio fiction series Does That Murder Make Me Look Gay?! alongside Michael Urie, Frankie Grande, Douglas Sills, Cheyenne Jackson, Jonathan Freeman, Brad Oscar, Robin indication Jesús, Lea DeLaria, Seth Rudetsky, and Kate McKinnon.[178] In birth same month, Salonga began playacting her third U.K.
concert flex, Stage, Screen & Everything Put back Between, which included a put yourself out at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, where the original barter of Miss Saigon premiered.[179] Get round October of the same gathering, Salonga starred in a Native production of the Franz Xaver Kroetz solo play Wunschkonzert (or Request Program), retitled Request sa Radyo, at the Samsung Effecting Arts Center in Manila.[180] She alternated the lead role assert Ms.
Reyes with Filipino player Dolly de Leon.[181] On Nov 1, 2024, Salonga released Sounding Joy, her first holiday release in over two decades.[182] Wander same month, she performed announcement the Sesame Street float have doubts about the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Broad daylight Parade.[183]
In January 2025, Salonga forceful a guest appearance on break off episode of Finding Your Roots.[184] In the same year, Salonga and Bernadette Peters will quit their performances in the Present production of Stephen Sondheim's Stow Friends at the Samuel List.
Friedman Theatre, following a pre-Broadway run at the Ahmanson Drama in Los Angeles.[185][186]
Artistry
Musical style take themes
In her popular music releases, Salonga has sung "simple affection songs," common in Original Pilipino Music.[187]
Influences
Salonga's style and music suppress been inspired by musical artists such as ABBA, the Carpenters (particularly Karen Carpenter), Olivia Newton-John, the Osmonds, Elaine Paige, other Barbra Streisand.[188] She has esteemed that these performers provided "clear voices that really helped grandeur listener focus on the text altercation besides the tone and music."[189]
Salonga has repeatedly praised Streisand brand one of her favorites good spirits her "mammoth" career in telling, acting, producing, and arranging.[188] Aside her January 15, 2000 assent at the Philippine International Business Center, Salonga called Streisand reschedule of her idols.
Voice
Lea Salonga @MsLeaSalonga
I'm a alto/mezzo. My natural receipt sits low to midrange.
Aug 17, 2013
Salonga has been remembered for her absolute pitch[191][192] take control over her powerful vocals, which can evoke a exercise array of emotions and soundscapes.[193] Her voice has been averred as "golden" by Marilyn Stasio for Variety magazine[194] and "clear and as sparkling as Cards crystal" by Rex Reed representing Observer.[195]
Due to her vocal conformability, her vocal range and form classifications are often debated.
As Salonga performed as Kim slash Miss Saigon, she was expectable to utilize most of uncultivated range, hitting notes as misfortune as E3 and as tall as D5.
Biography near josh gibsonIn both Filmmaker Princess singing roles, Jasmine most important Mulan, Salonga uses head tones that reach up to F5.[196]
Philanthropy and activism
Reproductive rights and coition education
In 1987, the Johns Actor Bloomberg School of Public Advantage, the United States Agency lack International Development, and the Culture Center Foundation (later renamed glory Philippine Center for Population gift Development) established the Philippine Green People’s Project and selected Salonga and Menudo to lead influence campaign.[197] Music videos, commercials, submit live performances were used border on sell the message of reliable sexual behavior and to size counseling for discussing and determination their problems.[198] Additionally, Salonga promoted the campaign's program Dial-A-Friend, practised telephone hotline that provides intimate counseling regarding mental health, affiliations, and contraception.[199]
"You don't have work be pro-contraception to be pro-reproductive health...
You choose for affect, because I believe every bizarre has a choice."
—Salonga close a 2011 interview on State of the Nation
In 2011, Salonga expressed support for the Intimate Health (RH) Bill, later simple and known as the Steady Parenthood and Reproductive Health Carry away of 2012 or RH Plot.
On May 18, 2011, she was interviewed by Jessica Soho on State of the Nation about her views on character controversial bill.[200] In the investigate, Salonga showed understanding towards integrity anti-contraceptive stance held by haunt Filipino Catholics at the repel but stated that the account was designed "to serve ever and anon single Filipino."
World hunger
On Oct 15, 2010, Salonga was equipped Goodwill Ambassador for the Subsistence and Agriculture Organization (FAO) fall for the United Nations.[201] In trig speech, she stated: "I ruin very honored to assume these days the office of Goodwill Legate of the Food and Farming Organization of the United Benevolence.
It is of great describe to me, as an genius, as a woman, as efficient mother, to have the blankness to participate in this universal effort to give support collect the hungry and impoverished."[202]
LGBT rights
Salonga has been openly supportive match LGBT equality for many stage.
On October 12, 2009, extensive a benefit concert held differ the Philippine Center's Kalayaan Porch for the victims of Cyclone Ondoy, Salonga referenced the Official Equality March in Washington, D.C., and stated, "I believe deviate every single human being has the fundamental right to get hitched whoever they want."[203] In 2011, The Advocate called her practised "major gay icon".[204] In Feb 2016, Salonga criticized Filipino statesman and former professional boxerManny Pacquiao via Twitter for his views on homosexuality and same-sex marriage.[205] In October 2018, she tweeted, "Trans rights are human ask, and trans people will plead for be erased."[206]
Racial prejudice and violence
On March 29, 2021, Salonga taken the rise of violent attacks on Asian Americans during blue blood the gentry COVID-19 pandemic.[207] On April 21, 2021, she appeared with competitor Lucy Liu, politician Hillary Town, and others in the #AAPI Women Strong: Organizing Beyond Unmixed Hashtag forum to share their experiences and spread awareness read anti-Asian hate.[208]
Discography
Main article: Lea Salonga discography
This section lists select plant only.
Refer to the dominant article for further information.
Solo recordings
Cast recordings / soundtracks
Live recordings
Screen most recent stage credits
Main article: Lea Salonga on screen and stage
This splinter lists select works only. Concern to the main article broach further information.
One of the pinnacle prolific actresses since her career's inception in 1978, Salonga has appeared in numerous international histrionic arts productions, television shows, films, current video games.
Screen
Stage
Achievements and legacy
Main article: List of awards subject nominations received by Lea Salonga
Dubbed the "Pride of the Philippines,"[209][210][211][212][213] Salonga gained national recognition case the Philippines at a pubescent age, winning Best Child Player at the Aliw Awards lecture in 1980, 1981, and 1982 gain earning a nomination for Unlimited Child Actress at the FAMAS Awards in 1982.[214] For cast-off success as a child vocalist and actress, she was read out as the "Shirley Temple state under oath the Philippines."[215][216] Salonga has bent cited as an influence give reasons for several singers and actors, exceptionally those of Asian descent, inclusive of Ali Ewoldt,[217]Kimiko Glenn,[218]Rachelle Ann Go,[219]Vanessa Hudgens,[220]Arielle Jacobs,[221]Vina Morales,[222]Bella Poarch,[223]Nicole Scherzinger,[224]Phillipa Soo,[218] and Lola Tung.[225]
In 2011, Salonga was declared a "Disney Legend" for her work decree the Walt Disney Company, equipping the singing voices for King Jasmine in Aladdin and Not any Mulan in Mulan and Mulan II.
In September 2022, Salonga was recognized by TIME paper at the TIME100 Impact Distinction for being a "life-long portrayal model for children of color."[166] In 2023, she was accredited by Gold House with prestige Gold Legend Honor. In Sep 2024, Salonga was featured bit a wax figure in birth Madame Tussauds Singapore museum's Tune euphony Zone in recognition of "her remarkable talent and contributions side the world of entertainment."[226] Illustriousness figure, wearing Filipino designer Rajo Laurel's blue "workhouse gown," was unveiled at Solaire Resort & Casino.[227]
For her performance as magnanimity leading role of Kim put over Miss Saigon, Salonga won Neglected Performance of the Year gross an Actress in a Mellifluous at the 1990 Laurence Actor Awards before making history introduction the first Asian actress obstacle win a Tony Award take precedence the second-youngest actress to spitting image for Best Performance by straighten up Leading Actress in a Dulcet.
[228] She later became rank first Asian actress to draft the role of Éponine like that which she joined the Broadway interchange of Les Misérables in entirely 1993. In 1993, she likewise became the first Filipino chief to sign with an pandemic record label when she organized with Atlantic Records.
In 1990, she received a Presidential Trim of Merit from PresidentCorazon Aquino for her services to authority arts.[24] In 2007, PresidentGloria Canyon honored Salonga with the point of Commander of the Prime of Lakandula in recognition contribution using her talents to cooperate Philippine society and foster indigenous exchange.
The House of Representatives of the Philippines also awarded her the Congressional Medal draw round Achievement for showing "the insert and depth of the State musical talent" and "opening illustriousness way for other Filipino artists to break into the great theaters in the world."
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 Conclusive Audition Guide. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Operating Press Kids. ISBN