Lea Salonga
Miss Saigon star, Disney's Aladdin voice actress
Lea Salonga (born February 22, 1966) is a Filipino-American musical theater actress and singer who has achieved international prominence through her work in stage productions and film. Born in Manila, Philippines, Salonga trained at the prestigious Bayanihan Dance Company and quickly became a star in Philippine entertainment before taking the theater world by storm. She originated the role of Kim in the London West End and Broadway productions of Miss Saigon, earning widespread critical acclaim and establishing herself as one of the premier musical theater performers of her generation. In 1992, she won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance. Beyond stage work, Salonga is recognized globally as the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in Disney's animated film Aladdin (1992), reaching audiences worldwide. She has continued to perform in major Broadway productions, international tours, and concerts, maintaining relevance across multiple decades. Salonga is also known for her advocacy work, particularly in LGBTQ+ rights and Filipino cultural representation. Her career demonstrates the global reach of musical theater talent and her influence extends across multiple continents and entertainment mediums.
Entertainment
Filipino-American
1966
Thinking about the name
Lea
Hebrew origin
“Derived from the Hebrew Leah, meaning 'weary' or 'languid,' Lea carries an understated elegance and quiet strength. The name gained popularity through biblical tradition—Leah was Jacob's first wife—and has maintained appeal across cultures as a short, lyrical modern form that feels both classic and contemporary.”