Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Lea Salonga

Discover the career path of Lea Salonga, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Lea Salonga is a celebrated Filipino singer and actress renowned for her extensive work in musical theatre. She has achieved international recognition through starring roles on Broadway and in London's West End. Her accomplishments include a Tony Award and a Laurence Olivier Award, along with Grammy nominations. Salonga's contributions have been further acknowledged with prestigious honors such as the Presidential Medal of Merit, the Order of Lakandula, and being named a Disney Legend.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1978: Career's Inception

In 1978, Lea Salonga started her career and appeared in numerous international theatre productions, television shows, films, and video games.

1987: Philippine Young People’s Project Campaign

In 1987, Lea Salonga and Menudo led the Philippine Young People’s Project campaign to promote responsible sexual behavior and counseling.

1990: Laurence Olivier Award for Miss Saigon

In 1990, Lea Salonga won Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical at the Laurence Olivier Awards for her performance as Kim in Miss Saigon.

1993: Signing with Atlantic Records

In 1993, Lea Salonga became the first Filipino artist to sign with an international record label when she signed with Atlantic Records.

2001: Final stint in Miss Saigon, role in As the World Turns and guest appearances

In 2001, Lea Salonga concluded her run in Miss Saigon on Broadway. Following this, she joined the soap opera As the World Turns as Lien Hughes. Additionally, she appeared on Russell Watson's The Voice concert, narrated My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States, and played a lymphoma patient on ER.

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2001: Flower Drum Song at Mark Taper Forum

In 2001, Lea Salonga played Wu Mei-Li in a reinterpretation of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.

2003: Songs from Home concert in Manila and Mohegan Sun Concerts

In 2003, Lea Salonga performed her first "all-Filipino" concert in Manila called Songs from Home and performed in several concerts at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, followed by a Christmas concert in the Philippines called Home for Christmas.

2004: Performances in New Jersey and Manila production of Baby

In 2004, Lea Salonga performed at the Lenape Regional Performing Arts Center in Marlton, New Jersey, and played Lizzie in the Manila production of the musical Baby, earning an Aliw Awards nomination.

2005: First U.S. concert tour, Carnegie Hall performance, and awards

In 2005, Lea Salonga embarked on her first U.S. concert tour. On November 7, she performed at Carnegie Hall for the benefit of Diverse City Theater Company. She received the Golden Artist Award at the 53rd FAMAS Awards and contributed to Daniel Rodriguez's album In the Presence.

2006: Closing Ceremony Performance at the 15th Asian Games

In 2006, Lea Salonga concluded the closing ceremony of the 15th Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, with the song "Triumph of the One", performing before an audience of 50,000 people.

March 2007: Return to Broadway in Les Misérables

In March 2007, Lea Salonga returned to Broadway to play Fantine in Les Misérables. Her return boosted ticket sales, and she received positive reviews. During her run, she participated in various Broadway events and benefited The Actors Fund.

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August 14, 2007: Awarded the Order of Lakandula

On August 14, 2007, Lea Salonga received the Order of Lakandula, with the rank of Commander (Komandante), from Philippine President Gloria Arroyo. This was in recognition of her contributions to Philippine society and cultural exchange through her talents.

July 3, 2008: Began writing "Backstory" column in Philippine Daily Inquirer

On July 3, 2008, Lea Salonga debuted as a columnist in the Philippine Daily Inquirer with her column "Backstory" in the Entertainment section.

July 11, 2008: Performance in "Global Pop" and concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall

On July 11, 2008, Lea Salonga performed in "Global Pop" at the Music Center, presented by The Blue Ribbon. She also gave a concert at Los Angeles' Walt Disney Concert Hall on the same day.

July 2008: Asian tour of Cinderella

Beginning in late July 2008, Lea Salonga played the title role in the 30-week Asian tour of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, which premiered in Manila.

June 2009: Sang at the 95th Anniversary Special of the Iglesia ni Cristo

In June 2009, Lea Salonga sang at the 95th Anniversary Special of the Iglesia ni Cristo.

October 12, 2009: Benefit concert referencing National Equality March

On October 12, 2009, during a benefit concert held at the Philippine Center's Kalayaan Hall for the victims of Typhoon Ondoy, Lea Salonga referenced the National Equality March in Washington, D.C., and stated her belief in the right to marry whoever one wants.

November 2009: Received the Gusi Peace Prize

In November 2009, Lea Salonga received the Gusi Peace Prize at the Philippine International Convention Center.

August 2010: Played Grizabella in Cats in Manila

From July to August 2010, Lea Salonga played the role of Grizabella in the Manila run of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

October 15, 2010: Appointment as FAO Goodwill Ambassador

On October 15, 2010, Lea Salonga was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

May 18, 2011: Interview on State of the Nation about RH Bill

On May 18, 2011, Lea Salonga was interviewed by Jessica Soho on State of the Nation about her views on the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) Bill.

July 2012: Starred in Philippine production of God of Carnage

In July 2012, Lea Salonga starred in the Philippine production of the comedy God of Carnage at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium of RCBC Plaza in Manila.

October 2012: Starred in Allegiance at the Old Globe Theatre

From September to October 2012, Lea Salonga starred in the first production of Allegiance at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego.

November 2012: Reprising role in God of Carnage in Singapore

In November 2012, Lea Salonga reprised her role in God of Carnage at the DBS Arts Centre in Singapore.

January 2013: Participated in Lincoln Center's American Songbook concert series

In January 2013, Lea Salonga participated in Lincoln Center's American Songbook concert series at the Allen Room.

June 2013: Headlined "4 Stars One World of Broadway Musicals" and coached The Voice of the Philippines

In June 2013, Lea Salonga headlined the concert series "4 Stars One World of Broadway Musicals" in Tokyo and Osaka, and became one of the coaches for ABS-CBN's The Voice of the Philippines.

December 2013: Began Lea Salonga: Playlist concert tour

In December 2013, Lea Salonga began her Lea Salonga: Playlist concert tour in the Philippines, celebrating her 35 years in show business. She also wrote a book, Playlist: A Celebration of 35 Years, as a souvenir program for the concerts.

January 2014: Extended Lea Salonga: Playlist concert tour

The Lea Salonga: Playlist concert tour, which began in December 2013, was extended to January 2014.

March 2014: Recorded song for charity compilation album

In March 2014, Lea Salonga recorded a song titled "Wished That I Could Call You" for the charity compilation album Children In Need.

2015: Toured Asia and North America with Il Divo and performed concerts in Australasia

In 2014 and 2015, Lea Salonga toured Asia and North America with Il Divo. In mid-2015, she performed a concert series in Australasia and reprised her role as Kei Kimura in Allegiance.

April 2016: Guest-starred on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

In April 2016, Lea Salonga guest-starred on the season finale of the American television series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, playing Josh's aunt and singing "One Indescribable Instant."

November 2016: Appeared in Fun Home in Manila

In November 2016, Lea Salonga appeared as Helen Bechdel in the international premiere of Fun Home in Manila, receiving praise for her performance.

2017: Coached The Voice Teens, released Bahaghari album, and portrayed Erzulie in Once on This Island

In 2017, Lea Salonga coached The Voice Teens, released the album Bahaghari: Lea Salonga Sings Traditional Songs of the Philippines, and portrayed Erzulie in the Broadway revival of Once on This Island.

December 2018: Returned to Once on This Island

In December 2018, Lea Salonga returned to the show Once on This Island for its final performances.

January 2019: Final performances in Once on This Island

In January 2019, Lea Salonga had her final performances in Once on This Island. The cast recording for the show was nominated for a Grammy Award.

November 2019: Concerts in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane

In November 2019, Lea Salonga gave concerts in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

April 21, 2021: Appearance in #AAPI Women Strong forum

On April 21, 2021, Lea Salonga appeared with Lucy Liu, Hillary Clinton, and others in the #AAPI Women Strong: Organizing Beyond A Hashtag forum to share their experiences and spread awareness of anti-Asian hate.

April 6, 2022: Start of Dream Again Tour in the US and Canada

On April 6, 2022, Lea Salonga began her Dream Again Tour in the United States and Canada.

September 21, 2023: Starring in Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends

On September 21, 2023, Lea Salonga returned to London's West End to star alongside Bernadette Peters in the tribute revue Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends, which ran at the Gielgud Theatre.