Day 19. Lea Salonga Voice of Disney Princesses and Broadway Star.

🎭 A Star is Born

Born and raised in the Philippines, Lea Salonga began performing on stage at just 7 years old. By the time she was 18, she had landed the lead role of Kim in Miss Saigon in London’s West End — a performance that would earn her the 1991 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, making her the first Asian woman (and first Filipina) to win the prestigious honor.

Her groundbreaking win opened doors in an industry where Asian performers were — and too often still are — underrepresented.

🎤 The Voice of Disney Princesses

Lea’s voice is instantly recognizable to generations of Disney fans. She was handpicked to be the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in Aladdin (1992) and later, Fa Mulan in Mulan (1998). Songs like A Whole New World and Reflection have become anthems of courage, hope, and identity.

Salonga has spoken about what it meant to bring these characters to life:

“I wanted little Asian girls to hear a voice that sounded like theirs. It meant so much to know that kids growing up could finally see themselves as heroes and princesses.”

— Lea Salonga

✊🏽 Advocate and Cultural Champion

Beyond her career, Salonga has been a tireless advocate for Asian representation in entertainment and an outspoken voice against stereotypes and typecasting. She continues to inspire and uplift young artists, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and demand spaces where their stories are told.

Her advice to aspiring performers:

“Be unapologetic about who you are and what you can bring. Your uniqueness is your superpower.”

📖 Learn More & Listen

🎵 Lea Salonga: Live in Concert (PBS Special)
🎥 Aladdin (1992) and Mulan (1998)
🎭 Miss Saigon (Original London Cast Recording, 1989)
📺 Lea Salonga’s TED Talk: How I Learned to Love Myself by Saying No
📖 Official Website

🌸 Why Her Story Matters

Lea Salonga’s career reminds us that representation matters — not just on screen, but in the voices that sing our anthems and embody our heroes. She shattered glass ceilings for Asian women in entertainment and remains a beloved figure whose courage and artistry continue to inspire.

📲 Celebrate Lea Salonga

Let’s honor this legendary Filipina artist and advocate who continues to redefine what’s possible.

Hashtags: #31DaysOfAPIHeritage #LeaSalonga #FilipinaPride #BroadwayLegend #DisneyPrincessVoices #RepresentationMatters #AAPIHeritageMonth #BreakTheCeiling #AsianVoices #MissSaigonQueen

Asian and Pacific Islander heritage is not monolithic. It stretches across dozens of nations, languages, histories, and spiritual traditions. In honoring these figures, we also honor the beautiful plurality of cultures, family traditions, and lived experiences that make up API communities in America.

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