Lea Salonga
About
Biography
Biography
An international star of the musical stage, Lea Salonga was born in Manila, the Philippines in 1971. Her remarkably resonant singing voice was evident practically from infancy, and Salonga went professional with her pursuits in 1978 when she joined the Repertory Philippines' production of "The King and I." By 1981, Salonga was releasing her first album, and by 1986, she was starring in feature films like "Tropang bulilit" (1986) and "Ninja Kids" (1986). Her fame reached new heights when she won the lead role of Kim in the debut London production of "Miss Saigon" in 1989, and grew greater still when she provided the singing voice for the character Jasmine in Disney's "Aladdin" (1992). She would go on to play still more iconic roles on Broadway, memorably playing Eponine in "Les Miserables," and took her recording career to international audiences soon after with her self-titled album in 1993. Salonga would release more albums including Lea...In Love and By Heart, and starred in a Broadway production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Flower Drum Song" in 2002. She would also star in the original production of "Allegiance" at the Old Globe in San Diego, later following the hit play to Broadway as well. In 2013, Salonga switched gears to focus on television, becoming a judge on "The Voice of the Philippines" (ABS-CBN, 2013-). She could not stay away from Broadway for long however, starring in a revival of "Once on This Island" in 2017.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Music (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Music (Special)
Cast (TV Mini-Series)
Music (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1978
Appeared in the Philippine production of "The King and I"
1980
Played the title role in the Manila production of "Annie"
1989
Delivered a breakthrough theater performance as the title character in the London stage musical "Miss Saigon"
1991
Made her Broadway debut in the title role of "Miss Saigon"
1992
Provided the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in the animated Disney feature "Aladdin"
1995
Landed a major supporting role in CBS adaptation of "Redwood Curtain"
1996
Portrayed Éponine in the London and touring production of "Les Misérables"
1998
Provided the singing voice of the title character in Disney animated feature "Mulan"
2001
Guest starred on CBS daytime series "As the World Turns"
2002
Returned to Broadway with a starring role in the revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Flower Drum Song"
2006
Replaced Daphne Rubin-Vega as Fantine on Broadway in a return engagement of "Les Misérables"
2011
Was honored as a Disney Legend
2013
Began appearing as a coach on "The Voice of the Philippines"
2016
Guest starred on an episode of "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend"
Family
