Lea Salonga first Filipina gets Hollywood Walk star

Lea Salonga achieved a significant career milestone on Friday, September 4, 2026, becoming the first Filipina actor to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The 2,855th star was dedicated in the Live Performance category during a ceremony held in front of the Pantages Theatre. Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez stated that Salonga is a "true trailblazer whose extraordinary talent and decadeslong career have inspired audiences around the world." Martinez added that the honor is a milestone for Salonga, the Filipino community, and future generations of artists. Salonga, 55, is widely recognized for her iconic roles, including providing the singing voice for Princess Jasmine in Disney's animated film Aladdin and Fa Mulan in Mulan. Her career highlights also include originating the role of Kim in the original West End and Broadway productions of Miss Saigon. For her performance as Kim, Salonga earned a Laurence Olivier Award in 1990 and the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 1991, making her the first Asian woman to win a Tony Award. She was also the first Asian actress to play Éponine in Les Misérables on Broadway in 1993.