Disney & Broadway Legend Lea Salonga Makes History as First Filipina to Receive Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Just Jared
Lea Salonga has received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!
The Broadway legend and Disney princess alum makes history as the first Filipina to ever receive a star in Hollywood.
Lea, dressed in an all-purple outfit, got down on the ground to accept her star on Friday afternoon (September 4) outside of the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood.
Lea Salonga reflected on her journey at the ceremony
“This is surreal,” Lea said (via Fox 11). “I have walked down this street many times. I’ve stepped on a lot of famous people, and now people get to step on me. Which feels strangely appropriate for show business.”
“I was a little girl in the Philippines who loved to sing and perform,” she said. “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 placed I never imagined I would go, introduced me to some extraordinary people, and allowed me to keep doing what I love.”
“I hope that someday a young Filipino kid comes to Hollywood, sees my name and thinks, `Oh, maybe I can get here too,”‘ she added.
Lea Salonga received support from celeb friends
Honoring her at the ceremony were Ming-Na Wen, Brandy, and Darren Criss.
Ming-Na provided the speaking voice for Mulan in Disney’s 1998 movie while Lea provided the singing voice.
Brandy recently performed alongside Lea in the Disney Princesses concert at D23.
Darren is also a Filipino actor and has been friends with Lea for years.
Lea Salonga also had support from Oscar winner H.E.R.
Lea and H.E.R. are both in the voice cast of the upcoming animated movie Forgotten Island, which will be released in theaters on September 25.
In addition to her Disney roles in Mulan and Aladdin, Lea is also a Tony winner for her Broadway work in Miss Saigon.
Posted To:Brandy Darren Criss Event Photos Her Hollywood Walk of Fame Lea Salonga Ming Na Wen