Lea Salonga is a Filipino singer and actress who is primarily best known as the first Asian actor to win a Tony Award for her performance as Kim in Broadway’s Miss Saigon. Her further theatre roles include Éponine in the Broadway and West End productions of Les Misérables as well as playing Fantine in the 2006 Broadway revival, Wu Mei-Li in the 2002 Broadway revival of Flower Drum Song, Kei Kimura in the original Broadway production of Allegiance, Erzulie in the 2017 Broadway revival of Once on This Island, and Aurora Aquino in the original Broadway production of Here Lies Love. Salonga is also recognized as the singing voice of Princess Jasmine and Fa Mulan from Disney's animated films like Aladdin, Mulan, & Mulan II. For her portrayal of the beloved princesses, The Walt Disney Company has honored her as a “Disney Legend” in 2011. In addition, Salonga has released 14 albums including her latest recording Sounding Joy. Plus, she can be seen on MAX’s Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin & Sony’s Yellow Rose along with her voice talent being featured on Netflix’s Centaurworld & FX’s Little Demon.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
Lea Salonga made her parade debut at the 1991 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in her starring role from Miss Saigon as she sang "I'd Give My Life for You" in Herald Square.
She then returned several decades later at the 2017 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade as Erzulie, the Goddess of Love, with the cast of the revival of Once on This Island in their performance of "Why We Tell the Story".
Salonga came back for a third time at the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and joined her muppet friends for a classic rendition of "Sing" on the 1-2-3 Sesame Street float.