Lea Salonga cements her place in history with a sidewalk star

Lea Salonga honored with another "first.''

Lea Salonga is officially cementing her spot on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame. She is making history as the very first Filipina artist to receive this iconic sidewalk honor.

“The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is proud to welcome Lea Salonga to the Hollywood Walk of Fame," stated Ana Martinez, Walk of Fame producer.

Upon learning of her latest honor, Salonga was expressed disbelief. "I still don’t believe it happened. I thought, ‘Is somebody pranking me?'" she  told ABS-CBN.com.

It’s just one of those things that you think you’re not gonna get. Wala lang, and also given that my work is mostly in New York and in Manila, it’s not something that I expect. ... I’m not actually a Hollywood person,” she said. 

The historic moment is locked in for early September 2026. The timing lines up perfectly with the Manila International Film Festival, which takes place in Los Angeles from Sept, 3 to Sept. 6. 

The official ceremony will take place right on the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard on Sept. 4 at 11:30 am PDT at 6255 Hollywood Boulevard. Salonga, will receive her star in the category of Live Performance. 

Joining emcee Sibley Scoles will be Ming-Na Wen. Wen and Salonga both lent their voices in the hit animated film as the lead character “Mulan.”

Following her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, Salonga will also be honored with the Icon Award at the third annual Manila International Film Festival’s (MIFF) Closing Night Awards Gala on Sunday, Sept. 6 at the Beverly Hilton.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce administers the legendary Walk of Fame for the City of Los Angeles and has proudly hosted the globally iconic star ceremonies for decades. Millions of people from here and around the world have visited this landmark.

Salonga will be the only Asian in this year's sidewalk dedication. As the first artist of Filipino descent to get her star, she joins 20 other Asian American artists who had earned the honor starting with pioneer actress Anna May Wong who got her star in 1960.  

Many fans of all ages recognize Salonga as the singing voice of Princess Jasmine from Aladdin and Fa Mulan for Mulan and Mulan II. For her portrayal of the beloved princesses, the Walt Disney Company bestowed her with the honor of “Disney Legend.”

Besides her Disney connection, Salonga first gained fame on Broadway.  At just 20 years old, she became the first actress of Asian descent to win a Tony Award in 1991 or her portrayal of Kim in Miss Saigon opening the door for recognition of Asian performers on the Broadway stages.

Since then she has won Tony nominations for her roles in  Les Miserable, Once on this Island and had prominent roles in Here Lies Love, Allegiance, and Flower Drum Song. Most recently, she starred on Broadway in Old Friends (alongside Bernadette Peters) after headlining the Los Angeles and London productions.

The 55-year old artist has kept busy with concert tours and numerous roles on US and Philippine television series. Most recently, she stars as the lead villain in Dreamworks Animation’s upcoming fantasy film Forgotten Island premiering September 26th.

“Lea Salonga is a true trailblazer whose extraordinary talent and decades-long career have inspired audiences around the world," said Martinez, of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

"We are thrilled to honor her with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and especially proud that she will be the first Filipina to receive this iconic recognition. Her achievement is a milestone, not only for Lea, but for the Filipino community and for generations of artists who will follow in her footsteps” 

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