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| Lea Salonga is the first Filipino artist to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. |
History was made on Hollywood Boulevard, and it’s the kind of Asian American joy we desperately need right now.
On September 4, 2026, theater icon Lea Salonga became the very first Filipina to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. For a community that has spent decades fighting for visibility and representation on the stage and screen, seeing Salonga get her flowers in front of the historic Pantages Theatre was nothing short of monumental.
Salonga’s star, the 2,855th in the Walk's history, cemented her legacy in the Live Performance category. A massive crowd of fans and fellow AAPI trailblazers—including Ming-Na Wen, H.E.R., and Brandy — showed up to celebrate the milestone for their co-star in Mulan, Forgotten Island and Aladdin, respective.
Disney and Broadway Royalty
Fellow FilAm star Darren Criss stole the show during the speeches, proudly wearing a traditional barong Tagalog. Criss didn't hold back his admiration, praising Salonga as "Disney, Broadway, and Filipino royalty" and as an inspiration for him as well for other Asian American performing artists.
He highlighted her fierce work ethic and dedication to her craft before bringing down the house with a joke, noting that this historic sidewalk tribute is likely the only time anyone will ever get to "walk all over her."
Sharing the Sidewalk
Taking the microphone, a reflective Salonga looked back on her legendary 45-year career. She reminded everyone that while only one name is etched into the stone, her historic win belongs to the entire community.
“There’s something funny about a star like this because there’s only room for one name: mine. But no career is ever the work of just one person. So if they made this star big enough, there would be a lot of other names on it,” she said.
“There’s something funny about a star like this because there’s only room for one name: mine. But no career is ever the work of just one person. So if they made this star big enough, there would be a lot of other names on it,” she said.
Salonga shared that she never started out with a grand plan — just a pure love for performing. Ultimately, she hopes this star serves as a visible beacon of what is possible for the next generation of young Filipino and Asian American artists trying to make it in Hollywood.
“I hope that someday, a young Filipino kid comes to Hollywood, sees my name, and thinks, ‘Oh, maybe I can get here too.’”
“I hope that someday, a young Filipino kid comes to Hollywood, sees my name, and thinks, ‘Oh, maybe I can get here too.’”
On Sept. 6, Salonga received yet another honor.
The Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) honored Broadway and Disney legend Lea Salonga with its inaugural Icon Award during the festival's Closing Night Awards Gala at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. celebrating her career, global artisitc impact and as an ambassador of Filipino excellence..
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