Lea Salonga Will Be the First Filipina to Receive a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

Broadway icon, Disney Legend, and international stage powerhouse Lea Salonga has once again made history! The award-winning actress and singer is set to become the first Filipina to receive a coveted star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The celebrated performer is among the 35 honorees chosen by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for the Walk of Fame’s Class of 2026. The news was confirmed by the Walk of Fame selection panel, with the official list announced to the public in late June.

While three male celebrities of Filipino descent—Bruno Mars, apl.de.ap, and Rob Schneider—have already been immortalized on the Walk, Lea marks a first for Filipina artists. Her star will represent decades of cross-cultural triumphs, from her Tony Award-winning performance as Kim in Miss Saigon to voicing Disney princesses Jasmine and Mulan.

Joining Lea in this star-studded Class of 2026 are some of the biggest names in global entertainment: Miley Cyrus, Timothée Chalamet, Emily Blunt, Rachel McAdams, Rami Malek, Demi Moore, Shaquille O'Neal, Gordon Ramsay, and Air Supply, among others. Filmmaker Tony Scott and special effects legend Carlo Rambaldi will receive stars posthumously.

Lea will be the sole honoree under the Live Theatre/Live Performance category, alongside comedy giant Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias. The nomination was submitted by the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF), which celebrated the news by praising her as "a trailblazer and a voice for generations."

In response, Lea shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram Stories: "Just now woke up to this bit of amazing news! To the Manila International Film [Festival], many thanks for nominating me to be part of the class of 2025-26!"

Earning a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is no casual feat. Each year, the Walk of Fame committee receives hundreds of nominations, all of which must include a sponsor and a formal application. According to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, only 35 honorees are chosen annually, and their selection must be approved by the Chamber's board of directors.

“These talented individuals have made significant contributions to the world of entertainment, and we are thrilled to honor them with this well-deserved recognition,” said committee chair Peter Roth in a statement.

Once selected, honorees have up to two years to schedule their unveiling ceremony, which is often announced one to two weeks in advance.

Lea's career continues to evolve. After earning a 2025 Drama League Awards nomination for Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends, she is set to return to the Philippine stage this August in Into the Woods, playing The Witch—her first local musical since 2019’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.