Lea Salonga reflects on the rise of Filipino representation on Broadway

May 17 ------ Lea Salonga reflected on the rise of Filipino representation on Broadway. In an interview with CBS New York, the Filipino theater actress expressed pride and amazement at the number of Filipino talents currently starring in major Broadway productions including Darren Criss in Maybe Happy Ending, Tati Córdoba in Real Women Have Curves, and Nicole Scherzinger in Sunset Boulevard, among others. 

"All of these folks are incredibly inspiring. I need to amplify that we are all of Filipino descent because who in our right minds ever thought this would ever happen. I am seeing this in my lifetime. And I'm seeing it and I am still doing it, and I am still strong enough to do it," Lea remarked. She emphasized that this growing representation proves there's space for more diverse voices in theater. "The fact of the matter is there's room for all of us," she stated.  

When asked if she ever thinks about her legacy, the Tony Award-winning actress shared a humble reflection: "It is a passing thought that oh this happened and now because of that, folks feel empowered to do this. The one contribution that I made was just looking the way that I do." This May, Lea is set to be honored at the 91st Drama League awards which is set to take place on May 16 at the Ziegfeld Ballroom. The Filipino Broadway star will receive the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theater Award. 

In the segment, the Tony Award-winning actress read her letter as she reflected on her early years in the entertainment industry, her breakthrough role in Miss Saigon, and the impact she unknowingly made on future generations of Asian performers. "It was your mother’s determination that set you on a course to make movies, host television shows, and perform in front of tens of thousands of people," Lea wrote. "All of it will prepare you to land the lead role in the West End musical, Miss Saigon." The singer went on to describe the moment she would arrive on Broadway and how she would eventually become the first Asian actress to win a Tony Award. "You will come to Broadway, the world you only know through watching the Tony Awards on television. You will one day, thanks to Miss Saigon, win a Tony for yourself, becoming the very first Asian actress to hold that trophy," she said. 

Source: news.abs-cbn.com