Lea Salonga becomes first Filipina to receive Hollywood Walk of Fame star

Broadway legend and Disney vocalist Lea Salonga has become the first Filipina to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The ceremony took place on September 4, 2026, in front of the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles.

Salonga, who received the 2,855th star in the Live Performance category, was honored for her extensive career in musical theater and film. She is widely recognized as the singing voice for Disney’s Princess Jasmine in ‘Aladdin’ and Mulan in ‘Mulan’. Her theatrical milestones include originating the role of Kim in ‘Miss Saigon’, for which she won a Laurence Olivier Award and became the first Asian actress to win a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.

The event included tributes from fellow entertainers such as Brandy, Darren Criss, and Ming-Na Wen. During her acceptance speech, Salonga expressed her gratitude to her family and mentors, noting that the achievement is a significant milestone for the Filipino community and hopes it inspires future generations of Filipino artists to pursue careers in Hollywood.