Feisty Female Friday: Lea Salonga

The FFF this week is Lea Salonga.

Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga was born in the Philippines. She began singing at the age of three and made her theater debut at the age of seven. Her early performances include Annie, Fiddler on the Roof and The Sound of Music. Alongside her stage career, she released her debut album, Small Voice, which went gold in the Philippines. Her second album, Lea led to an opportunity to open for Stevie Wonder in Manila.

Lea’s career skyrocketed when she performed in Miss Saigon, earning widespread acclaim with a performance that won the Laurence Olivier, the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Theatre World. Awards. She also became the first actress of Asian descent and the second-youngest performer ever to win a Tony Award. Lea has also provided the singing voice for Princess Jasmine in Aladdin, performed the Oscar and Golden Globe winning song, A Whole New World, at the Academy Awards. She also sang as Mulan, in both Mulan films and has performed in Flower Drum Song, Les Miserable, and Once on This Island. Beyond the stage, Lea became a member of Disney Legends, making significant contributions to the Walt Disney Company.

Her powerful voice and pioneering work as an Asian woman in musical theater continues to inspire others. Lea is currently performing on Broadway in Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends. Later this year, she will receive the Award for Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theater at the 91st Annual Drama League Awards.
She is a Goodwill UN Ambassador, is a World Vision and YUNGA Ambassador, is on the Board of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, has performed many charity concerts and performances in support of the arts, and supports LGBTQ charities.

Lea is divorced, has one son, and lives in the US and Phillipines.