MANILA, Philippines — Award-winning artist Lea Salonga looked back at the historic announcement of her Hollywood Walk of Fame star.
Lea sat down for an intimate interview with Philstar.com last July 31 after the press conference for Theatre Group Asia’s upcoming run for “Into The Woods,” where she will play The Witch.
The Stephen Sondheim production will be Lea’s first musical in the Philippines since 2019’s “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” another Sondheim piece. Lea, though, was an alternate in Theatre Group Asia’s “Request Sa Radyo” with Dolly de Leon last year.
Lea was officially named in the Walk of Fame’s Class of 2026 earlier this month, making her the first Filipina celebrity to receive the honor.
Lea recalled the moment the news broke out when numerous posts began flooding her social media feeds.
“I didn’t believe that it was real because people post all kinds of things on the Internet,” Lea said, doubting the news’ authenticity and even thought it was generated by artificial intelligence.
Her manager confirmed it was the truth, and it was only then did Lea’s jaw hit the floor.
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Lea told Philstar.com she has not eyed a location and date for her star installation, but noted she still has two years to hold a ceremony for it.
“I have time, I have until July 2027. There’s plenty of time and I’ll be back in the United States pretty soon,” Lea smiled.
Apart from her own star on Hollywood’s most famous walkway, Lea’s name is also being floated in the National Artist list.
Lea has already said that there are other names that should get the recognition first. At the interview, Lea reiterated her stance, adding it would be a travesty if she would be named a National Artist before the late “King of Comedy,” Dolphy Quizon.
Three male celebrities with Filipino heritage — singer-songwriter Bruno Mars, rapper Apl.de.ap, and comedian Rob Schneider — have previously been recognized by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
Lea is best known for her Tony Award-winning performance as Kim in “Miss Saigon” and for providing the singing voices of Jasmine (“Aladdin”) and Mulan (“Mulan”).
She became a Disney Legend in 2011 and is a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Merit and the Order of Lakandula.
Her other notable performances include “Les Misérables,” “Here Lies Love,” and “Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends.”
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