Lea Salonga on ‘Miss Saigon,’ ‘Aladdin’ and Supporting Her Trans Son Amid Anti-Trans Rhetoric: ‘It Makes Me Intensely Afraid and Not Just for My Child’

Tony Award-winning performer Lea Salonga never imagined she would one day be immortalized on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The celebrated artist, best known for her groundbreaking portrayal of Kim in the 1989 musical "Miss Saigon," admitted that her career path felt distant from the traditional trajectory of screen legends. "Most of my work is in musical theater," Salonga explained during a recent interview. "Even though musical theater does reach Los Angeles, it never occurred to me that this honor would come my way. I haven't had the kind of Hollywood career that icons like Bette Davis or Katharine Hepburn enjoyed. This was simply beyond my expectations."

That all changes this Friday when Salonga becomes the 2,855th recipient of a Hollywood Walk of Fame star, making history as the first Filipina to receive this distinction. While her stage credentials are impeccable, Salonga has also left an indelible mark on the silver screen. She lent her powerful vocals to Princess Jasmine in Disney's "Aladdin" and Fa Mulan in both "Mulan" and its sequel. Her versatility extends beyond animated classics—she made her singing debut at age seven in her native Manila, a city known for its vibrant performing arts scene. Later this month, audiences can catch her in "Forgotten Island," a DreamWorks Animation fantasy adventure set in the Philippines about childhood friends trapped in the mystical realm of Nakali. "It centers on my culture and Philippine mythology," Salonga said via video call. "We finally get to share our mythological creatures with the wider world—something I never thought I'd see happen."

Salonga's journey to stardom began when she was just 17, landing the original West End production of "Miss Saigon" before it transferred to Broadway. Her audition included a stirring rendition of "On My Own" from "Les Misérables" followed by "The Greatest Love of All." After multiple callbacks and a trip to London, she received unexpected news. "They told me, 'You're in the show, but we haven't decided which role you'll play,'" Salonga recalled with a laugh. "At that point, I'd only been learning Kim's songs, but I thought, 'Fine.' I was pre-med in college and had a life outside this. If they wanted me in the ensemble, I would have politely declined." Her work as Kim earned her a Laurence Olivier Award, and in 1991, she became the first Asian actress to win a Tony Award—and the second-youngest performer ever to take home the prize for best leading actress in a musical.

While still performing in "Miss Saigon," Salonga was cast in "Aladdin" during the early 1990s. She remembers the production team's generosity fondly: "Stage management gave me the night off so I'd sound great for the recording session. Given how successful 'Little Mermaid' and 'Beauty and the Beast' had been, they sensed this project would be massive." In the decades since, Salonga has starred in numerous Broadway productions, released multiple albums, and remains a constant presence on Manila's stages. She has also become a passionate LGBTQ+ advocate. Her son, actor and singer Nic Chien, came out as trans in 2025, a moment that galvanized their family's public activism. "We felt it was crucial to be open about this," Salonga shared. "Young people have reached out to Nic, thanking him and me for our visibility. They say it gives them strength to embrace who they are." She recounted reading one such letter aloud with her son in their Manila kitchen. "He was performing in a show with me at the time, and I think he finally grasped how deeply his authenticity resonates with others."

When asked about anti-trans legislation and rhetoric from politicians, Salonga's tone turns serious. "It angers and frightens me—not just for my own child, but for all young people who simply want to live, work, and love freely." She paused, then offered a pointed observation. "These attacks feel like a distraction. When someone insists you look elsewhere, it's worth examining what they're hiding in their own backyard. If they're trying to divert attention, something significant is likely going on." Salonga's star ceremony promises to be a landmark moment, not only for her remarkable career but for representation in an industry that has often overlooked Asian and Filipino talent. As she steps onto that famous stretch of sidewalk, she carries with her decades of artistry, advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity.