Lea Salonga set for historic Hollywood Walk of Fame honor this September

Lea Salonga will officially receive her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this September, making history as the first Filipina to earn the honor.

Salonga’s star ceremony will take place in early September, coinciding with the 2026 Manila International Film Festival, which will run from Sept. 3 to 6 in Los Angeles, California.

The Tony and Olivier Award-winning actress and singer was named among the Hollywood Walk of Fame’s Class of 2026 in the Live Theatre/Live Performance category. 

The MIFF will also honor Salonga with its Icon Award during the festival’s Closing Night Gala on Sept. 6 at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. The award recognizes her contributions to theater, film, television, and music.

MIFF previously nominated Salonga for her Hollywood Walk of Fame star, describing her as an artist who has helped elevate Filipino and Asian representation in the global entertainment industry.

The upcoming recognition adds another major milestone to Salonga’s decades-long career, which began in the Philippines before taking her to Broadway and the West End.

She gained international recognition for originating the role of Kim in Miss Saigon, earning Tony, Olivier, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Theatre World awards for her performance.

Salonga is also known internationally as the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and Fa Mulan in Mulan and Mulan II. More recently, she  also stars in the voice cast of the upcoming film, Forgotten Island, with H.E.R. and Liza Soberano.

Aside from Salonga, Filipino-American entertainers Jo Koy and Nicole Scherzinger are also set to receive their stars. They have been selected by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to be honored at the Walk of Fame Class of 2027 under the Live Theatre/Live Performance category.