By Margaret Padilla
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Lea Salonga, an international Filipino star on Broadway, gains another distinction by being named one of the 2022 recipients of the TIME100 Impact Awards.
“Global leaders who have gone above and beyond to advance their industries—and the world—are recognized by the TIME100 Impact Awards.”
Sanya Mansoor, an author for TIME Magazine, outlined the milestones in Salonga’s career in an article titled: Lea Salonga, Voice of Disney Princesses, Is a Life-Long Role Model for Kids of Color.
The author implied that the Tony awardee’s talent for singing and acting made her a role model, not only for Filipinos but also for children of color.
“In her four-decade award-winning career as an actress and singer, Salonga has emerged as not only a Disney and Broadway icon but a role model for children of color,” Mansoor presented the well-acclaimed artist in her article for TIME magazine.
It mentioned that Salonga provided the singing vocals for Mulan and Jasmine, two well-loved Asian Disney princesses.
“Salonga prides herself on promoting representation in Hollywood and on Broadway and showing underrepresented groups that their stories matter,” the author wrote in her article.
Salonga first gained notoriety in the original London and Broadway productions of Miss Saigon, where she won Tony and Olivier Awards for her haunting and poignant performance as the unfortunate Kim.
She also performed in other London and Broadway productions, such as Les Misérables, Flower Drum Song, and Allegiance. Most recently, Lea Salonga appeared in Once on This Island at Circle in the Square Theater. (Photo: Playbill)