Lea Salonga Getting a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Is Long Overdue

Lea Salonga has lived a life that can appropriately be described as generational. She shot to stardom with her breakout role as Kim in Miss Saigon, which earned her a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 1991, the first Asian to do so. She’s appeared in numerous Broadway and theater productions since, such as Les Misérables in no less than three different roles over the decades, including her iconic turn as Éponine. A generation grew up hearing her voice as the singer behind Mulan in Reflection and Princess Jasmine in A Whole New World. It’s a fact many were reminded of during her viral performance at D23 2026.

Now, she’s on to her next achievement with her first-ever DreamWorks Animation movie, Forgotten Island, coming to cinemas this September. So, with her recent honor of receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, it felt like a culmination of her career so far and an acknowledgement of her influence. But what may be even more important was how Salonga didn’t just see the moment as a win for her, but for Filipinos in general.

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Lea Salonga Is a Star at Her Walk of Fame Ceremony

Last Saturday morning, Sept. 5, Philippine time, Lea Salonga earned her place in the history books again with her Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony at 6225 Hollywood Boulevard, which is across the street from the historic Hollywood Pantages Theatre. As part of the Walk of Fame Class of 2026, Salonga became the 2,855th star in the Live Performance category, and also the first Filipina and homegrown Filipino to receive the honor.

Over the years, Salonga has lived many lives and stepped on many stages, and during her speech at the unveiling ceremony, she reflected on her career so far and a journey many could only dream of. “I was a little girl in the Philippines who loved to sing and perform. I started working when I was very young, and I certainly didn’t have some grand plan for how any of this was supposed to unfold. I just knew that I loved doing it. This career has taken me to places I never imagined I would go, introduced me to some extraordinary people, and allowed me to keep doing what I love.”

Despite all the achievements and historic firsts that have come her way, Salonga has remained humble about it all, expressing gratitude for the honor. It’s this side of her and a willingness to use her time and platform to highlight, spotlight, and mentor the next generation of talents and champion proper representation in arts and entertainment that are part of the reason why Salonga has remained beloved. She didn’t use her speech to talk about her accolades or immense talent, but brought it back to her Filipino roots and what it means for the artists who come after her.

“There are so many extraordinary Filipino and Asian artists working today, telling our stories, playing roles that we once could have never imagined being offered, and creating new opportunities for future generations,” she shared. Salonga ended her speech with a nod to the future and what she hopes her star means for representation. “I hope that someday, a young Filipino kid comes to Hollywood, sees my name, and thinks, ‘Oh, maybe I can get here too.’”

Filipino Pride at Salonga’s Ceremony

The Filipino energy wasn’t just felt in the event, but also in Salonga’s look. Her ensemble at her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony further touched upon the historic moment for the Philippines as she wore a royal purple tailored ensemble hand-embellished with Philippine seed pearls in a “Yakan” motif that symbolizes their sense of togetherness by Rajo Laurel. Speaking of Filipino wear, journalist Sibley Scoles, who hosted the ceremony, wore a Filipinana in keeping with the theme.

It’s clear that Salonga’s star on the Walk of Fame wasn’t just a big deal to the Tony Award-winning actress, but also to the Filipino community in general, as Filipino-American actor and singer Darren Criss was present to share a few words and sport a Barong Tagalog, too. Fil-Am singer H.E.R. was in attendance as well, as were actresses Pops Fernandez and Dolly de Leon. Fittingly, Salonga’s Mulan co-star Ming-Na Wen served as a special guest speaker, while her fellow Disney princess Brandy, who just performed together at D23, was also there to share a few kind words for Salonga.

This coming together made the event that much more special, which just goes to show how far Salonga’s impact goes. With Lea Salonga being the first homegrown Filipino to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, here’s hoping she won’t be the last.

Featured Image and Photos: HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME (via Instagram), Photographed by Oscar Del Aguila

Rafael Bautista

Senior Pop Culture Writer

Rafael Bautista is the Senior Pop Culture Writer of MEGA Asia, with a focus on producing articles and features about local and international entertainment, popular culture, and lifestyle.

Before this role, he spent five years in the youth-oriented magazine NYLON Manila, where he served multiple positions, including Deputy Editor, and created stories, profiles, and content on digital and print geared towards a Gen Z audience. In 2025, he was awarded Jr. Deputy Editor of the Year.

With years of experience in digital media, Rafael has an interest and passion for writing about movies, shows, pop culture, and entertainment, with a particular emphasis on titles, trends, and personalities who are making waves in modern culture or are on the cusp of becoming the next big thing people will talk about.

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