Lea Salonga Is the First Filipina on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Thirty-five years after a 20-year-old from Manila won a Tony Award for Miss Saigon, Lea Salonga has a star in the sidewalk on Hollywood Boulevard. She is the first Filipina to get one. The story runs on page E-4 of the September 21, 2026 Philippine Times of Southern Nevada, written by Kiko Aquino Jr.

A Star 35 Years in the Making

Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga celebrated her Hollywood Walk of Fame star on Friday, September 4, 2026, becoming the first Filipina recognized with the honor.

She gained international fame in 1989 originating the role of Kim in Miss Saigon, winning both the Olivier and the Tony — the first Asian woman to do so, and a Tony winner at 20. Her stage career since has spanned Les Misérables as both Éponine and Fantine, Flower Drum Song, and Allegiance.

The voice a generation grew up on

For millions who never saw her on a stage, Salonga is a singing voice: Princess Jasmine in Disney’s Aladdin, where she performed “A Whole New World” in 1992, and the title character in Mulan in 1998. She has performed at Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House, holds Disney Legend status, and has mentored through The Voice franchise.

Why This Lands Differently in Las Vegas

Southern Nevada is home to one of the largest Filipino American communities in the United States, concentrated in and around Filipino Town on Maryland Parkway. A Filipina name set permanently into Hollywood Boulevard arrives in the middle of Philippine American History Month preparations across the valley — including the Philippine Ballet Theatre’s first Las Vegas performance on October 31 and NaFFAA Nevada’s Fiesta Filipino on October 3.

Frank Paras Jr. Inducted Into the Martial Arts Fighters Wall of Fame

The same column marks a second milestone. On August 15, 2026, director-actor Frank Paras Jr. — Fight of Fury 2 Retaliation Actor of the Year — was inducted into the Martial Arts Fighters Wall of Fame. On July 22, 2026, he received the KOJC award for the highest number of most visitors in the USA.

200 amateur fights, eight years undefeated

Paras Jr. carries an undefeated record of 200 amateur fights across eight years. He is a USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame inductee and has received the Presidential Champion Bronze Award, the USMC Presidential Physical Fitness Award Certificate of Appreciation, Marauders High Honor, and recognition from the World Martial Arts Black Belt Society and The Martial Arts Academy.

His military service spans Army Junior ROTC, United States Marine Corps Military Police, and United States Air Force Reserve as an Operation Desert Storm mobility officer. He trained under Red Belt Grandmaster-Actor Trovador Ramos, Grandmaster-Actor Romy Santiago, and Grandmaster-Actor Robert San Luis.

His film work includes Kosa and Tournament of Death in the Philippines, Ex Voto and La Calavera de Gabriel in Mexico, and Fight of Fury 2 Retaliation in the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Lea Salonga get her Hollywood Walk of Fame star?

Lea Salonga celebrated her Hollywood Walk of Fame star on Friday, September 4, 2026.

Is Lea Salonga the first Filipino with a Walk of Fame star?

She is the first Filipina to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

What is Lea Salonga best known for?

Originating the role of Kim in Miss Saigon, for which she won the Olivier and Tony Awards, and providing the singing voice of Disney’s Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and Fa Mulan in Mulan.

Who is Frank Paras Jr.?

A Filipino American director, actor and martial artist with an undefeated 200-fight amateur record over eight years, inducted into the Martial Arts Fighters Wall of Fame on August 15, 2026.

More from this issue: Read all 36 pages free · Charly Suarez takes the WBO International title · Miss Fil-Am Nevada USA 2027 · Past editions