María Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga KLD, better known as Lea Salonga, is a Filipina singer and actress who starred in the lead role of Kim in the musical Miss Saigon, for which she won the Olivier, Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics and Theatre World awards. Salonga is the first F...
Lea Salonga-Chien , Lea Salonga Chien , Lei , Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga , Pride of the Philippines , Tata , Manang
Awards
Tony Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical, Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical, Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical, Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical
Nominations
Awit Award for Best Performance by a Female Recording Artist, Awit Award for Best Song Written for Movie/TV/Stage Play, Awit Award for Best Inspirational/Religious Recording, A Whole New World, Reflection, We Could Be in Love
Movies
Aladdin, Mulan, My Neighbor Totoro, Les Misérables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary, Mulan II, Les Misérables: The Dream Cast in Concert, Redwood Curtain, Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal, Pik pak boom, Tropang bulilit, Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams, Broadway 4D, Captain Barbell, Dea...
TV Shows
That's Entertainment, The Voice of the Philippines, The Voice Kids
Star Sign
Pisces
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Trademark
1
She has a small, deep dimple near the right corner of her mouth. It appears when she smiles.
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Quote
1
[In reaction to Manny Pacquiao's opposition on the Reproductive Health bill] His point, which is a valid point, is: 'We have access to contraception. Why do we still need the RH bill?' That's fine, but you have millions of pesos. What about a lot of your own constituents who have no access to it?
2
Couples or every citizen of age needs to be informed about this stuff. Both good and bad effects need to be given to married couples who want to control their family size but may not have the info. You can't just say gusto ko yung pill. You have to know how it will affect your body; you have to know what the side effects will be. There is a failure rate because of improper usage. But if you use it properly then you're able to prevent disease or unwanted pregnancy. And obviously you will not teach a nine-year-old how to put a condom up a banana. Anybody who says that is not thinking straight.
3
Because what's the use of all these contraceptives if you don't know how to use them? This kind of info needs to be transmitted to couples who are about to get married [and] couples that are married and want to control the number of children they want to have and to make them aware of the choices that are available to them. I mean, they could choose natural family planning if that's what they feel they should have. They could choose condoms or birth control pills as long as these options are available and make known that it's available, then they can make an educated decision.
4
My stand is that I am for it. I've been consistently supporting it. I can understand the arguments for and the arguments against RH Bill. There are many valid arguments on both sides and I can understand where everybody's coming from as far as what their belief system is. Basically, you have to go with what your conscience tells you and you would have to know what is right for you. Without trampling upon somebody else's belief.
5
I want every Filipino woman empowered with information regarding all options available to her regarding family planning. I want every Filipino to be armed with the right education regarding their bodies in the context of sex and reproduction; to exercise their free will in ensuring the quality of life based on their own personal, religious, and moral convictions and beliefs; and to have a fighting chance at a better life.
6
I'm probably one of the least ambitious people to ever walk the earth. Because I know the price that you have to pay. I know what that feels like at home in the Phillipines. I know what it's like to go shopping and have people stare at you. To not be able to go places because your safety is threatened. I quite enjoy the anonymity I have here--being recognized for my work but still be able to walk down the street and go shopping and be undisturbed and have my privacy respected. And that's not always the case at home. I appreciate the level of celebrity I've achieved at home, but I'm someone who doesn't do well with it.
7
I just refuse to date actors. I've done that, and I don't want to do that anymore. It's just the stress of traveling and being away from each other so much.
8
And if you really believe in your heart of hearts that you have the talent, go for it. But you've got to make sure you really have the talent. I was watching that TV show, American Idol, and they were showing these auditions. The contestants think in their heart that they're talented, and the judges would say, 'You are appalling. You cannot sing.' And I painfully had to agree. But they really believe that they have something. You need a very objective person to say you've got talent.
9
Love your enemies... it's not always an easy tenet to live by... and I have more often than not been inclined to wish my enemies ill than well.
10
If you ain't got nothing nice to say, just shut the f*** up.
11
I have no inner monologue.
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Fact
1
Currently playing the role of Fantine in the musical revival of "Les Miserables" at the Broadhurst Theatre on Broadway. [March 2007]
2
Lea gave birth to her daughter, Nicole Beverly, a little past noon on May 16, 2006 in Alabang, Muntinlupa City. She was 6.10 pounds and 49 centimeters long. [May 2006]
3
Enjoying the newly wedded life with husband Rob in Los Angeles. [February 2004]
4
New York, NY, USA: Preparation for New Broadway Musical, Allegiance, to begin in 2012. [2011]
5
playing Mei-Li in the Broadway revival of Flower Drum Song [September 2002]
6
Gave birth to her first child with husband Robert, daughter Nicole Beverly, on May 16th, 2006 in Manila. The baby weighed in at 6 lbs, 10 oz.
7
Uses the name "Manang" as her Internet chat code name. Manang means elder/eldest sister in Ilonggo (her mother's dialect).
8
Made her concert debut at the prestigious Carnegie Hall on November 7, 2005.
9
Was the first full-blooded Filipina to have won the Olivier (1990), and the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Theatre World Awards (1991) for Best Actress in a Musical for her work in "Miss Saigon".
10
The first Filipina ever to win the prestigious Tony Award for her role as Kim in the Broadway Musical "Miss Saigon"
11
Briefly attended Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City, Philippines (mid-1988 - early 1989) in a pre-med course. She initially thought she wanted to be a dermatologist. Took two courses [one in Philosophy and the other in European History] at Fordham University's Lincoln Center campus in Manhattan during Spring semester, 2000.
12
For the longest time, her dream role was Eva Perón in the musical Evita.
13
Bought herself a white Lexus IS300 E-Shift Sedan with ivory interior on her birthday in 2002.
14
Has an adopted sister, Shiela.
15
Brother, Gerard Salonga, arranges all Lea's music. He is a multi-talented musician and symphony orchestra conductor. He is presently head of the music and audio department at Carmel House Studios (www.gc4.com) and conductor of the Global Studio Orchestra.
16
Chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the world. [1991]
Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams
2007
Video
Jasmine (singing voice, uncredited)
Mulan II
2004
Video
Mulan (singing voice)
Sing Along Songs: Disney Princess - Once Upon a Dream
2004
Video short
Jasmine / Mulan
Johnny Bravo
2004
TV Series
Princess / Princess #1
ER
2001
TV Series
Amparo
Aladdin in Nasira's Revenge
2001
Video Game
Princess Jasmine (singing voice)
Mulan
1998
Mulan (singing voice)
Aladdin on Ice
1995
TV Movie
Jasmine (singing voice, uncredited)
Sana maulit muli
1995
Agnes
Redwood Curtain
1995
TV Movie
Geri Riordan
Aladdin Activity Center
1994
Video Game
Jasmine (singing voice)
Olsen Twins Mother's Day Special
1993
TV Movie
Singer
Bakit labis kitang mahal
1992
Sandy
Aladdin
1992
Jasmine (singing voice, uncredited)
Dear Diary
1989
Lenny Tacorda (segment "Dear Killer")
Pik pak boom
1988
Rosie
My Neighbor Totoro
1988
Mrs. Kusakabe (English version, voice)
Captain Barbell
1986
Rosemarie
Ninja Kids
1986
Yoko
Like Father, Like Son
1985
Angela
Tropang bulilit
1981
Lisa
As the World Turns
1956
TV Series
Lien Hughes #2 (2001, 2003)
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
2016
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Sofia the First
2013-2014
TV Series performer - 2 episodes
The Voice of the Philippines
2013
TV Series performer - 3 episodes
The Filthy Frank Show
2012
TV Series short performer - 2 episodes
Les Misérables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary
2010
TV Movie performer: "At the End of the Day", "I Dreamed a Dream", "Lovely Ladies" uncredited, "Fantine's Arrest", "Come to Me", "Valjean's Death"
Dayo
2008
performer: "Lipad"
Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams
2007
Video performer: "Peacock Princess", "I've Got My Eyes On You" - as Lea Solonga
Mulan II
2004
Video performer: "Lesson Number One"
Johnny Bravo
2004
TV Series performer - 2 episodes
Lea Salonga Live
2003
Video documentary performer: "Someone's Waiting For You", "Something's Comin'", "Even If", "Carpenters Medley", "Happiness", "Sunlight", "Can We Just Stop and Talk Awhile", "Disney Medley", "Sun and Moon", "Last Night of the World", "On My Own", "Don't Know What To Do, Don't Know What To Say", "You Must Love Me", "Imagine", "True Colors", "Streisand Medley", "The Journey", "One Voice", "Tomorrow"
The 56th Annual Tony Awards
2002
TV Special performer: "I Enjoy Being a Girl", "There Is Nothin' Like a Dame", "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top", "Mountain Greenery", "I'm Gonna Wash that Man Right Outa My Hair"
The Broadway Concert
2002
Video documentary performer: "Maybe", "I Can See It", "I've Never Been In Love Before", "I Enjoy Being A Girl", "Love, Look Away", "Andrew Lloyd Webber Medley", "Someone Else's Story", "Nothing", "You'll Never Get Away From Me / Wherever We Go", "Too Much For One Heart", "Where Is Love", "As Long As He Needs Me", "Someone To Watch Over Me", "Someone Like You", "Something Wonderful", "Being Alive"
Mulan
1998
performer: "Honor to Us All", "Reflection", "I'll Make a Man Out of You", "A Girl Worth Fighting For"
People: A Musical Celebration
1995
TV Movie performer: "How Wonderful We Are"
Great Performances
1995
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Baywatch
1994
TV Series performer - 1 episode
The 65th Annual Academy Awards
1993
TV Special performer: "A Whole New World"
Bakit labis kitang mahal
1992
performer: "Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal"
Aladdin
1992
performer: "A Whole New World" 1992
Pik pak boom
1988
performer: "Anything For You"
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
Dayo
2008
performer: theme song
Aladdin
1992
singing voice
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1991
TV Series
Herself
The 45th Annual Tony Awards
1991
TV Special
Herself - Winner: Best Leading Actress in a Musical
The Heat Is On
1989
TV Movie documentary
Herself (Kim)
That's Entertainment
1986
TV Series
Herself
Broadway: The Next Generation
2018
Documentary filming
Herself
Good Morning America
1992-2015
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Kababayan Today
2015
TV Series
Herself
Breakfast
2014
TV Series
Herself
Lea Salonga: Live from Jazz at Lincoln Center
2014
Video
Herself
To Be Takei
2014
Documentary
Herself
The Voice of the Philippines
2013
TV Series
Herself - Coach
Show People with Paul Wontorek
2011-2013
TV Series
Herself
The Broadway.com Show
2013
TV Series
Herself
The Song That Changed My Life
2012
TV Series
Herself
Miss Universe 2011
2011
TV Special
Herself - Judge
Kababayan LA
2010
TV Series
Herself
The Wendy Williams Show
2010
TV Series
Herself
My Neighbor Totoro: Behind the Microphone
2010
Video short
Herself
My Neighbor Totoro: The Totoro Experience
2010
Video documentary short
Mother
The 100 Greatest Musicals
2003
TV Movie documentary
Herself
Lea Salonga Live
2003
Video documentary
Herself-Performer
Working in the Theatre
1999-2002
TV Series documentary
Herself
Falling in Love: A Richard Rodgers Tribute
2002
TV Movie
Herself
The 56th Annual Tony Awards
2002
TV Special
Herself - Performer
The Broadway Concert
2002
Video documentary
Herself-Performer
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
1999
TV Series
Herself
Hey, Mr. Producer! The Musical World of Cameron Mackintosh
1998
TV Special documentary
Kim / Eponine
Great Performances
1995
TV Series
Eponine
The 22nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
1995
TV Special
Herself
The King and I: Recording a Hollywood Dream
1993
TV Movie documentary
Herself
A Musical Christmas at Walt Disney World
1993
TV Special
Herself
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1993
TV Series
Herself - Musical Guest
Reading Rainbow
1993
TV Series
Herself
Bob Hope: The First 90 Years
1993
TV Movie documentary
Herself
The 65th Annual Academy Awards
1993
TV Special
Herself
The Geraldo Rivera Show
1993
TV Series
Herself
The Making of 'Aladdin': A Whole New World
1992
TV Movie documentary
Herself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Broadway: The American Musical
2004
TV Mini-Series documentary
Herself
Mickey's PhilharMagic
2003
Short
Jasmine
Disney Sing-Along-Songs: Honor to Us All
1998
Video short
Disney Sing-Along-Songs: Friend Like Me
1993
Video short
Princess Jasmine
The Best of Disney Music: A Legacy in Song - Part I
1993
TV Movie
Herself
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2008
Festival Prize
Metro Manila Film Festival
Best Theme Song
Dayo (2008)
2005
Golden Artist Award
FAMAS Awards
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2009
Golden Screen Award
Golden Screen Awards, Philippines
Best Original Song
Dayo (2008)
1999
OFTA Film Award
Online Film & Television Association
Best Music, Original Song
Mulan (1998)
1996
FAMAS Award
FAMAS Awards
Best Actress
Sana maulit muli (1995)
1996
Gawad Urian Award
Gawad Urian Awards
Best Actress (Pinakamahusay na Pangunahing Aktres)
Sana maulit muli (1995)
1982
FAMAS Award
FAMAS Awards
Best Child Actress
Tropang bulilit (1981)
Known for movies
Mulan (1998) as Mulan
Aladdin (1992) as Jasmine
My Neighbor Totoro (1988) as Mrs. Kusakabe
The Voice of the Philippines (2013) as Herself - Coach
$18 Million
