Lea Salonga wins 1991 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical

Lea Salonga wins the 1991 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance as Kim in Miss Saigon.

[@naminedebbieconrayyager7855]

First Asian woman to ever win a Tony award! Lea is definitely one of the greatest performers there is

[@DYNASTY6846]

I guessed she has of course a Working Visa an Artist Visa or possibly an US Immigrant Visa before accepting that award… otherwise nothing was going to happen!!😱😂😝😊❤️

[@tomcervancia9501]

@@DYNASTY6846That statement is incorrect. She auditioned in Manila for Miss Saigon while she was still a student and was selected based on her talent and skills. Her decision to pursue her dreams in Miss Saigon by going to London had nothing to do with any so-called 'American Dream'. She earned her place in the production fairly and equally based on her own abilities.

[@lol9600]

The whole Asia must be proud of her, not just the Philippines. Because, she is the first Asian-descent who has won a Tony award, first Asian to play as Eponine and Fantine in Les Miz, She also won an Olivier Award, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical, and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical, she played Jasmine and Mulan, she is also a Disney Legend. JUST WOW!! PETITION FOR LEA SALONGA TO BECOME A NATIONAL ARTIST WHILE SHE IS STILL ALIVE SO THAT SHE WILL BE ABLE TO CELEBRATE IT.

[@maria94056]

I agree!

[@courageousteen1734]

If not mistaken willa kim is the first asian descent that won tont.

[@s73v1n2]

@@courageousteen1734 actually the same year they won the Tony award, but you gotta give Lea the credits for all her achievements and you can't compare from making designs to perform and sing on a Broadway shows

[@redbutterfly88]

She will but not in this time where philippines is not in healthy state

[@mmxcix]

​@@courageousteen1734Yes Willa Kim won Tony Awards for Best Costume Design in 1981 for Sophisticated Ladies and 1991 for The Will Rogers Follies. But prior to 1991, as an Asian... you can be the help but not the star nor the winner.

[@lukeevans5427]

Her face when they announced her name makes me so happy. She couldn't have been more thrilled!!!

[@musicaltheatergeek79]

If you don't know, there were a lot of politics involved putting MISS SAIGON on Broadway. Actors Equity (at least then) almost never let non-Americans create roles on Broadway. So MISS SAIGON, a British musical (though it was originally intended to open on Broadway in 1989, but there wasn't a theater available, so they went to London), had to fight to keep some of its original cast intact, particularly Jonathan Pryce and Lea Salonga, for the transfer in 1991. The complaints with Pryce were that the Engineer was Eurasian and Pryce is not, but eventually AE let him recreate his part, since he's British, an American ally. But Salonga is neither American nor British. It was harder to justify her starring on Broadway. But eventually, AE relented and she was allowed. That's why she thanked them first (notice the scattered laughter/applause), and why she appears so elated. It's like she was finally accepted.

[@alexmeyer5260]

Today though, you couldn't get away with the whitewashing that they did with Jonathan Pryce. That's why the upcoming Miss Saigon revival has an Asian actor as the Engineer, as it rightfully should.

[@musicaltheatergeek79]

Alex Meyer, but the Engineer is supposed to be Eurasian, which means that (like most mixed children) he could (in his instance) look Asian, caucasian, or a mixture of both. Genetics is tricky like that. So, Pryce's casting didn't bother me, since a Eurasian COULD look like him. I was more bothered by the original London production's casting of white, blond actor Keith Burns (who used tape to slant his eyes) as Thuy, who IS full Asian.

[@zeidlove0947]

Wow! She was only 20 years old here! So young and talented! ❤❤

[@lordalessan]

Lea had so much grace thanking Actor's Equity after what they tried to do to her! Initially, AE didn't want her and Jonathan Pryce reprising their roles in the Broadway production of "Miss Saigon" because they didn't want a white guy playing an Asian role and Salonga because she was neither a British or American Citizen, and they wanted to give the role to an American citizen. Well, both actors won the Tony for their roles. So happy Pryce and Salonga got the last laugh!!!

[@musicaltheatergeek79]

I never got the complaint about the Engineer casting. Isn't he Eurasian? Honestly, he could look either way. Just because one parent is Asian and one is white doesn't mean the kid is going to come out looking like a mixture of both. And if it's no big deal hiring a full Asian to portray him, then why should it be when hiring a full white actor?

[@lordalessan]

musicaltheatergeek79 The character is Eurasian and in my opinion, that reference on the show is brief, which is why people probably forget that when casting. I highly agree with you that it shouldn’t be a big deal but unfortunately, the majority doesn’t think so and because there is an issue of the lack of roles out there for asian actors, there are harsh feelings of watching a role they can play be offered to a white actor. Not so fun fact: After winner the Tony for this role, Lea Salonga was rejected to play Eliza Doolittle for a Broadway production of “My Fair Lady”, wouldn’t even let her audition, simply because she was asian. She later went on to play the role in a Philippine production.

[@tomgallowitz]

Also if people watch the Heat is On documentary the producers did a worldwide search for Kim for the London production and since Lea was a key ingredient in the show’s success they wanted to bring her over

[@iLLuMinuS69]

Interesting. I didn't know this.

[@suhugo9546]

Destiny has a way of making the impossible, possible! where there is a will, there is a way.

[@alexmeyer5260]

To me, she'll always be the singing voice of Jasmine in Aladdin.

[@wtfstudioinc.1827]

Alex Meyer I know! ❤️

[@yesgo4887]

And Mulan too 😉

[@gregstern8763]

She deserved every award she got. Well done Lea. You are amazing

[@alyyytaptap14]

The background song when she won the award is amazing. It's "Sun and Moon" in band version.

[@cherrylbolofer8028]

I don't know why but I cried when her name was announced as the winner

[@victoriarose8779]

Me toooo

[@snsdanddisneyohlover]

it was emotional! She was the first asian woman to win this award :)

[@alexanderrivera984]

Same here.😅 I ended up wiping my tears at the end of her speech😊

[@testmg6046]

This has been a decade yet her voice still sounds great! A respected singer and an actress, what can you ask for more?

[@eustacehendrix9659]

1991 to 2018 = a decade, quick mafs

[@user-ee9sx9hw2l]

I'm so impressed. It's funny she said "thanks to actors equity" ahahaha

[@vinista256]

Especially right after thanking God-the juxtaposition was comical.

[@carvinvillamor461]

That's the legit reaction of a singer who didn't buy the award.

[@mila-uz8qu]

I'm a huge fan of Lea Salonga. This is one of the best speech ever: perfectly delivered, brief, concise, comprehensive, did not miss a beat, inspirational, each word spoken clearly, with gratitude and excitement!

[@karrielangit9847]

May i note that she looks absolutely stunning

[@bibliophile1369]

The thing I love the most in her speech is thanking God first above all and ended with God blessing everyone. We love a Christian legend. ❤️

[@whatthefisfilipinx]

*SHE PAVED THE WAY!*

[@truecous9201]

I love that she thanked God first 😍❤️🙏🏼

[@carlyallen8343]

She's so smart, intelligent and articulate. The one and only.

[@donnajeanfonesto425]

A very confident woman. What a stage presence as always 😍

[@mbison3343]

The best thank you speech so far of all the award giving bodies! No one can compare- just flawless thank you speech. Hope Gwyneth Paltrow and others who messed it up on Oscars will learn so much from it!

[@jepjep7373]

Lea's speaking and singing pronunciations are so clear!

[@akmiguel1481]

her English is amazing 😀😀😀

[@musicaltheatergeek79]

Her American accent is flawless. My two brothers were in the navy stationed in San Diego, so I came across a lot of Filipinos when I'd visit, and those who were not born/raised here tended to have the thickest accents. What's strange about Lea's case is that she initially had a British accent of some sort, when she was first cast as Kim. (Watch the documentary THE HEAT IS ON: THE MAKING OF 'MISS SAIGON'). Then, two years later, when MISS SAIGON transferred to Broadway in 1991, she suddenly had an American accent, which she has retained.

[@avengedpoisonromance]

I was wondering that too. I once mentioned to my Filipino vocal teacher about how great she is and my teacher said she's pretentious and is snobby back home in the Philippines.. Oh well, doesn't change how good of an actress she is

[@musicaltheatergeek79]

Did your teacher elaborate on why she thought Lea was pretentious and snobby?

[@avengedpoisonromance]

well apparently she doesn't have a "real identity", at least not one that she displays. She says the way she acts/treats people in other countries is different than how she does in the Philippines

[@filipbong]

And you knew what was going through her mind how?

[@chelsea7525]

1:44 When the people watching her are proud of what she's achieved.

[@Tillysnow1]

Her reaction when they announced her name made me cry

[@michaelpamintuan7855]

If you have a very supportive brother, Lea is so lucky

[@michaels9508]

She was excellent I seen it twice with her

[@CrAzYnAdEz]

I was born 20 years too late. She's absolutely perfect in every way.

[@johnivan2575]

I stand with Lea Salonga

[@lalainerecasata7495]

Lea brought so much honor to our country. Thanks Ms Lea!

[@angelajoaquisoriano3933]

This was back to back won awards in olivier and tony award.. the 1st ever asian who won the award till now thesedays

[@EdwardGReyesJr]

Im so proud of u Ms. LEA SALONGA... i was in secondary school when the last time i watch 1991 Tony Awards...

[@podcastaficionado]

Amazing! I'm a Filipino so I'm very proud of Lea. She's world-class, truly gifted with a divine voice and superb acting!

[@TaraConway16]

Her reaction and the way that her brother jumped up and grabbed her to hug her so tight....so sweet! 🥺

[@anonymousmuna1373]

The moment they announced Lea Salonga's name the crowd went wild. LEGEND!!

[@raypatrick9932]

LEA SALONGA - NO CONTEST she was amazing in Miss Saigon

[@jimortlip3520]

A Master Class for award acceptance speeches.

[@Zeul28]

We're so proud =')

[@jhempz]

bravo lea salonga

[@mitix88]

So proud of you Lea! -Watching December 2019

[@alvaroacejo9242]

Nice to see , nice to know , true Filipino talented ,

[@mariebelandrio504]

She is so cute here.

[@Balder_of_Midgard]

I love her voice

[@vhic2009]

congratulations!

[@biancag5739]

Yeah babe!!!!!

[@mexkurtz4872]

she should be declared as national artist

[@JM-zk9ou]

I love the reaction of the audience. They truly appreciated her powerful performance.

[@charleslayo9862]

The first Asian to win a tony award. Very proud of her

[@pseudosligh]

beautiful speech!!!! :)

[@lululamp888]

The one and truly Philippine treasure

[@aheartlikethesea]

I adore her so much!

[@lauraaranez4736]

i so love this girl...

[@nongienong6900]

So adorable, talented and funny.

[@cokoycortez8549]

She's blessed of so many things

[@alyssacruz8516]

Congratulations !! My idol lea you deserve a tony award

[@syahnazmi29]

She is a LEGEND.

[@brooklynbridge6660]

One of a kind! 😊

[@stanleyolivar7381]

Classy! Natural! Quite likable!

[@graybutterflydoublenear7392]

AMAZING MISS LEA SALONGA.. PROUD OF YOU MISS SAIGON... FOREVER!!!

[@JM-zk9ou]

The crowd's response was overwhelming. They were so happy for her.

[@trabador0376]

Mabuhay ka Miss Lea Salonga! 2022

[@corazoncruz4718]

Bravo 👏🇵🇭

[@CountryCowboy008]

So sad that this didn't come true to Eva as well :'(

[@allgood5710]

Legendary!!

[@johnfulton4061]

Well earned well deserved

[@pepzjoey3386]

Tony (Musical) katumbas ng Oscars (movie) Grammy ( music) at Emmy ( tv)! Proud Filipino! One of the greatest

[@annakonstantinou8149]

Proud of you lea..

[@joketenac3182]

She also deserve to have a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame. for real..🎉🎉🎉

[@gaji-wc5ej]

what a speech

[@mariabriones9381]

Thank you Lea, una mong pinasalamatan ang ating Mahal at kataastaasng DIYOS AMA, sa Pangalan NG ating Panginoong HESUS KRISTO AMEN 🙏 🙏 🙏 TO GOD Be The Glory Amen 🙏 🙏 🙏 ♥️♥️♥️💋💋💋😍😍😍🙏🙏🙏

[@xtianvngelo]

iconic

[@josemacaraig5100]

Dapat in the future maging national artist ito.

[@glorecitatan2436]

Proud filipina here!!❤❤❤

[@charissaolasiman8158]

Lea Salongga

[@chengformilles6390]

👏👏👏

[@mykamelgar5061]

The Trailblazer ❤

[@halfeldian]

I’m the only one who laughed hard when she thanked Actor’s Equity lmaoooo

[@xxdarkknight420xx2]

I don't get it, why was it funny?

[@halfeldian]

Kate search about the criticisms Miss Saigon faced when they were making their Broadway debut. Actor’s Equity protested the roles because they wanted all the characters, including leading roles to their own. They prioritize their own. Lea and specially Jonathan weren’t supposed to reprise their roles, and they wanted to have a proper Asian-American for the engineer role. Miss Saigon was almost sold out for a year. Lawsuit came and Cameron Mackintosh challenged to cancel the show. Actor’s Equity allowed just so atleast Lea and Pryce could reprise their roles in Broadway. Think it’s just hilarious that despite the multiple efforts for the casting and banning them to reprise their roles she put a light and thanked them instead lol. It was that controversial

[@melvinbernate6294]

Its Lea's way of showing the good side of her being humble and nice and making the AE feel guilty of what they did to her

[@Tarzana24]

if u got it, u got it!

[@jeromegoh6293]

You can hear the difference of the crowd when they annonced her name

[@preciousjey]

Wow! Lea Salonga beat out Cathy Rigby!

[@glorecitatan2436]

I got goosebumps ❤❤😂

[@blesilsabarre499]

❤

[@tomgallowitz]

They producers of the Secret Garden make the right move in putting Mary as supporting, she would not stand a chance against Lea.

[@musicaltheatergeek79]

That's not how the Tonys work. The committee has the final say, but producers can petition.

[@tomgallowitz]

musicaltheatergeek79 True, I guess I meant to say they made the right move by petitioning her as supporting since Lea was virtually unbeatable.

[@javanfaithagol7616]

intelligence

[@rysachibana1486]

THE FIRST ASIAN WOMAN TO WIN A TONY! YAAAAS!!!!

[@grandebid]

2nd youngest winner, 20, right after the legend Liza Minelli, 19.

[@bessiedimerin9593]

Our very own National Treasure

[@teachabheya9871]

Why is no one talking about Gerald? Her brother. I mean look how happy he is! Hehe.

[@meralynmontero7040]

via diwa gerard

[@hunezaoh3476]

Is it possible to Leah to get another Tony? I mean if she will starring in another broadway show... because she's really amazing 😉

[@mateeth]

yes

[@musicaltheatergeek79]

You can win as many Tonys as you can. There's no limit. Audra McDonald has won 6 out of her 8 nominations.

[@gaji-wc5ej]

the youngest

[@vietgrlterifa1]

She really acted surprised. Was she really not expecting to win? Her two biggest competitors, LaChanze and Daisy Eagan, were for some reason put in the Featured category, so I expect Lea was the far away favorite. I mean who were they going to give the award to if not Lea? Cathy Rigby in Peter Pan? Dee Hoty for playing Will Rogers' wife? June Angela in the financial, if ambitious, flop Shogun the Musical that closed well before most Tony voters could watch it?

[@editsbyella2074]

you're probably a white dude if you dont know why she was surprised

[@Ben-yj8ye]

When you’re a foreigner among locals, you know you’re not a shoo in even if you’re super talented and hard working. That’s just the awful truth.

[@nivardcartujano3168]

Tiktok brought me here!

[@Eyan98]

0:42 "congrats sabay hampas" 0:43 "aray shuta likod ko" char

[@morley247]

Sad that it was not followed by another win or a nomination.

[@orangefreak0514]

The fact that she thanked Actors Equity after ALL THAT BS they put her, and the production, through was a total 🖕

[@boooooooooooooooo6944]

18 dislikes?! NO

[@imsimplypearly]

The real Rachel Berry

[@selangsia]

i wonder why there's no Olivier Award video when Lea won this

[@selangsia]

ctn04132 Oh ic, thanks

[@musicaltheatergeek79]

They were initially known as the Society of West End Theatre Awards for eight years, until 1984 when it was ranamed for Laurence Olivier. The Oliviers took a long time to come together. Founded in 1976, they only awarded Best Play, Best Musical, Best New Comedy, and Best Director. Thy didn't add acting categories (Actor/Actress in a Musical, Actor/Actress in a Play) until a few years later; in fact, there was only one award for Best Supporting Performance in a Play/Musical, and it was shared by both men and women. It wasn't until last year that they split the supporting categories by gender. Also, the tech awards (Costume, Choreography, Set Design, etc.) didn't get their due until the '90s. So, the Oliviers are still perfecting their award, whereas the Tonys has pretty much stayed intact for nearly 70 years, since 1947 when they were founded. They did eliminate teh Sound Design category two years ago, though.

[@ServandoIV]

It’s so funny how back then a non-American talent with resources posing no security threat was given a hard time to perform on stage….YET NOW, PRACTICALLY ANYBODY CAN JUST WALTZ IN THE SOUTHERN BORDER AND GIVEN BENEFITS. Crazy times we live in.

[@clar_ssa]

lol not me tearing up

[@poptatoed2879]

Who gave her the chance to go the us? Zekwidi?