Lea Salonga

Welcome to Piece Of Advice!

Good Morning! Today we are diving into the singing voice of two of Disney’s most iconic characters, Lea Salonga!

Lea Salonga has been lighting up stages since she was a kid growing up in the Philippines. She started singing professionally at just ten years old and quickly made a name for herself in musical theater. Her big break came when she landed the lead role of Kim in “Miss Saigon”, a performance that earned her international recognition; and a Tony Award. That role put her on the map in a huge way, and soon after, Disney came calling.

In the early ’90s, Disney was working on “Aladdin” and needed the perfect voice for Princess Jasmine. They already had someone for the speaking role, but they needed a powerhouse singer to handle the music. Thanks to her work in “Miss Saigon” and her incredible vocal talent, she got the audition; and totally nailed it. Her voice on “A Whole New World” helped the song win an Oscar and made her voice instantly recognizable around the world.

A few years later, Disney reached out to her again; this time for “Mulan”. Once again, Lea delivered. Her performance of “Reflection” captured the heart of Mulan’s story and became a major hit. Even though she didn’t do the speaking voice, her singing was so powerful that it helped define the character. To this day, fans still get goosebumps when they hear that song.

Lea didn’t stop with Disney. She’s performed all over the world, returned to Broadway many times, and even mentored rising singers on “The Voice: Philippines”. She’s sung for presidents, performed at the Olympics, and been named a Disney Legend. Through it all, she’s stayed grounded and proud of her roots, often highlighting her Filipino heritage in interviews and performances!

Piece of Advice:

Giancarlo: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Lea Salonga: 1. Be a team player.

2. Tell the truth as an actor.

Thank you so much for the read, everyone! Have a great week and we will catch you soon on the next one!

-Giancarlo