Lea Salonga’s Hollywood Walk of Fame Speech Is an Ode to Her Filipino Roots

Last September 4, Lea Salonga was honored with the 2,855th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, making her the very first Filipina to be awarded such recognition. Receiving the star under the category of Live Performance, she joins an elite group of talented individuals with remarkable contributions to entertainment.

Overall, Lea is the fourth Filipino to receive a star, following Bruno Mars, Apl.de.ap., and Rob Schneider. In attendance during the ceremony at 6225 Hollywood Bouvelard were Mulan voice actress Ming Na Wen, Brandy, and fellow Filipino stars Darren Criss, H.E.R., and Pops Fernandez.

Lea was a vision in a Rajo Laurel royal purple tailored ensemble adorned with Philippine seed pearls embellishments, which were done by hand. Rajo shared on Instagram that the look featured a motif from the Yakan community, whose designs symbolize their sense of togetherness—a befitting choice for the occasion.

In the opening of her speech, Lea instantly displayed her sense of humor. "I have walked down this street many times. I have stepped on a lot of famous people and now, people get to step on me, which feels strangely appropriate for show business. I love a full circle moment."

After warming up the crowd, the star admitted to the fact that she is still processing everything. "Long before Hollywood [and] long before Broadway, there was Manila. If you had told seven-year-old Lea Salonga making her stage debut in a production of The King and I in the Philippines, that nearly 50 years later, she would be standing on Hollywood Boulevard, in front of this iconic theater, surrounded by so many wonderful friends, family, and colleagues, receiving a star on the Walk of Fame, she would have said, ‘Ha? What’s that?’"

Lea then acknowledged that every person's career is beyond just the work of that person alone. "If they made this star big enough, there would be a lot of other names on it. My family, first and foremost—my mother... she was my manager for decades, my champion my whole life. None of this happens without her. My brother—my first duet partner, my favorite accompanist, and the finest musician I know. My son... he is an inspiration, the bravest person I've ever met, [and] my proudest production, today and always."

Lea also looked back on some of her roles that resonated with the world—Miss Saigon's Kim, Les Misérables' Éponine and Fantine, and the singing voices of Princesses Jasmine and Mulan. Reflecting on her journey, "When I began my career, I didn't see very many people who looked like me, doing the things I dreamed of doing on the world's biggest stages and screens. There wasn't an obvious road."

In closing, Lea talked about the gradual changes she has seen over the years. "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. I hope that someday, a young Filipino kid comes to Hollywood, sees my name, and thinks, ‘Oh, maybe I can get here too.’”

Watch Lea's full speech and the unveiling of her Hollywood Walk of Fame star below.