Lea Salonga & Eva Noblezada: Interview - BBC Breakfast (2014)

[@bryantpark88]

Lea is a living national treasure! I can't think of any Filipino artist who has achieved so much at such a young age and continues to bring honor and pride to Filipinos and Southeast Asians as well. Thanks for representing us well :)

[@makuletreg15]

She doesn't represent Filipinos, she represents people who worked hard on their craft that's why she became one of the best singers in west-end.

[@grayfullbaster3246]

+ralph I'm filipino and I approve your statement

[@justme7410]

She’s under represented in the Philippines. Most Filipinos don’t appreciate Musicals that much and being a sopranos is basically the singing standard in the Philippines :\

[@beybeyrizz]

@@justme7410 nope. Being a belter is the standard. Regine Velasquez isn't even a soprano yet everyone who belts like her seems to be the more talented and celebrated ones.

[@dominiquepocopio777]

@@justme7410 FR

[@user-ye9hn7tb2z]

Lea has barely aged! incredible asian genes!!! amazing! beautiful asian women.

[@Hiprockdiva1]

Beautiful

[@darboni9405]

eating fresh veggies and fruits and having a lot of coconut here because the coconut oil is good in skin to delay aging

[@chessmaster9842]

American and Europian likes to eat burgers and pizza that is why they looked old quickly.

[@chessmaster9842]

Discipline, Diet plus a lot of good doctor for facial beautification in the Philippines like Dra. Belo.

[@lourdes86179]

@@chessmaster9842 Lea not having that enhancement she so discipline .

[@seventysixtrombones1]

Lea still looks young and very pretty.She should be 43 years old now.

[@plaidissogay02]

She'll be turning 50 next year I think.

[@emmathiele8193]

not enough of these comments are about eva and i just wanna say she is a queen and i love her

[@broadwaymike92]

Did you know: Eva Noblezada's aunt Annette Cauld was part of the original Broadway cast. She was initally in the Ensemble and was the Kim alternate. She then took over fulltime when Lea Salonga left. Cauld is also well known for playing Celina (the dance teacher) on Sesame Street. It runs in the family.

[@labellavita12]

And Eva is also part Filipino... Also Filipino's are Jon jon and Rachelle ann and the kim's understudy and alternate

[@nayomihokaido6058]

Eva's accent is American....but her face especially her nose is 100% Filipino. You can't deny it. Hahaha

[@solangegarnier7473]

Nayomi Hokaido she's born in america. & she's only half

[@buchiacho2426]

It's Calud not Cauld:)

[@faftc-rcompany2800]

As long as we have Lea we don’t need an Eva in the Philippines no one knows her in the Philippines She’s an American and never a Filipino and we are very fine with it

[@SAJEETV]

Lea is always a Legend...

[@Chaser2556]

Lea is the diva that you will love for an eternity

[@thannypadlan]

am i the only one who thinks that the search for 2014 miss saigon is more of a search for a new lea rather than a new kim ? hahaha !!!

[@johneduardoctavianoiv9749]

Obviously, the stars in the universe conspired to make Lea a rare gem when she was born. Look at her list of achievements in music industry. It's so overwhelming.

[@eustacehendrix9659]

The only lucky part on her journey was when Cameron and friends didn't find a Kim after so many auditions. Everything else was hard work.

[@kristingatpo808]

lea's got humor in almost all her interviews or speech, im amazed.

[@yyg4632]

shes so intelligent, funny people are usually smart

[@echobonx4118]

Do you know other else was born ang grew up in Philippines that can speak fluently in english with that accent same as leah? Deym leah is so brilliant and one of a kind Int. Artist in Phil

[@mikemendoza8355]

''Honey, they're not gonna remember you for the bikini, they're gonna remember you for when you shoot yourself at the end of the show.'' What a way to reassure his conscious daughter like that! XD

[@jgreen66]

To break a shock, sometimes you need a bigger shock as it makes the first look puny. It worked for Lea as the dad turned the situation quite comical. Brilliant dad!

[@amsterdam]

My favorite ms. Saigon lea salonga

[@princess29ANGELLYNN]

Lea is so gifted. I mean listen how she speaks. She has a very good american/british accent though she grew up in the Philippines. #onlylea

[@labellavita12]

Love the hashtag

[@lolitahaze02]

Work in a call center take calls for a year you'll be able to do that.

[@lourdes86179]

@@lolitahaze02 when she audition for kim at age 16 she already has British accent it's a talent.

[@jessboo173]

Some people just have flexible tongue. I'm from an asian country too and lots of my friends speak perfect english since middle school. And not to mention they also have local dialect which you might think is similar to our official language but i'll warn you, it's not.

[@azumi149]

@@lolitahaze02 I can still tell if they're Filipinos or not. LOL

[@yyg4632]

I love when Lea said "no we need to say that, it WAS 25 years ago" It's not an insult for a woman to age loll and she knows it

[@Olivianorwayyy]

Is wrong to use s another lady from ojillioines to fastavgift role ss vietnamese lady

[@rdb6186]

lea salonga is so beautiful and talented

[@annnee6409]

They're both such sweeties. It's my first time seeing Lea Salonga in an interview, she's as sweet as I imagined her and such a legend.

[@bookseatnerds]

Just saw this with Eva and she killed it. Lea did an amazing version of Kim and Eva's version was also so so good!

[@alphonse5935]

I agree Eva is a powerhouse as well.i hope Eva would return to WestEnd and play the role of Kim again. Too bad when i arrived in the UK i missed it just like months..

[@007Stalled]

Thanks for this upload. Lea Salonga singing "I Had A Dream" on the BluRay of the 25th Anniversary of Les Mis is one of the best performances of any song I have ever seen. I highly recommend it if you haven't already got it.

[@musicaltheatergeek79]

+007Stalled the song is called "I Dreamed a Dream." "I Have a Dream" is from MAMMA MIA!

[@hotnaked2224]

The Original Kim, Ms. Lea Salonga❤❤

[@musicaltheatergeek79]

It's so weird to hear Lea Salonga speak in an American accent in this, because in the MISS SAIGON documentary THE HEAT IS ON, she had a British accent.

[@purdudan]

+musicaltheatergeek79 She can do many accents, she was doing it to please the creative team and to fit in, as she said, the experience with the creative team was like "pleasing your fathers" as she was young and inexperienced. Now, she doesn't put on an accent and uses her natural accent which does come off very American.

[@labellavita12]

To fit in? You got it wrong dude.. She said she got a great set of ears and can easily pick up an accent or learn a song quickly without even knowing and trying... Her accent change depends on where she is.. She answered that already and she said that not to ask her to sound with the british accent bcos she can't do it anymore.

[@whatevergoesforme5129]

Lea can switch accents. She has that gift but her real accent is more American since the Philippines was colonized by the Americans and schools for the rich (though Lea did not come from a rich family...I do know her family history), where Lea got her education tend to teach the American accent.

[@OsoMarie9300]

She can do British accent but she is more comfortable in neutral American accent. She knows when to use those accents.

[@anjaplushenka5995]

*She is Filipino. Thus, she can adapt rather very quickly and excellently.*

[@CocotheNut]

LOVE Lea! I didn't think any other actress would do it for me, but Eva is a wonderful Kim!! :)

[@laurenspiers9221]

I went down to London to see the new one and it's incredible oh Jesus

[@snurpsd4688]

Ms. Lea Salonga- you're a legend. You're a gem. Great to see Eva also. Filipino talents!!!

[@SvMykolas]

Lea is Kim and will always be the standard. She is the gold standard nobody can come close to. She was the gem they found after traveling through the whole wolrd, and she became the brilliant that keeps shining bright as ever.

[@lilysoliman]

Look at how Lea sits, how she talks and her facial expressions. Woman with a class...

[@pallafox]

What's really thought provoking here is that Eva wasn't even born when the Original Miss Saigon was held in the West End.

[@nadcallievlog9892]

So proud of Leah Salonga she’s a Theatre Legend around the World.

[@gmoleta1662]

Before 17 years old: lea salonga Through the years: THE international legend, LEA SALONGA 🔥🇵🇭👸🏻😍

[@bonjovm]

I agree with Harriet, I'm Filipino and I say lets give the new Kim a chance like Arnel Pineda in Journey. Its enough that Lea started it :) !

[@labellavita12]

I love Lea.. I love Lea.. I love Lea Salonga.. Have i told you that i love Lea?? Well she's my only Kim.

[@amnigma2342]

+Rodney Copperbottom Yeah! She's so good and awesome and great that it sucks.

[@ryucharie33]

+Rodney Copperbottom you just got hit lok

[@Yan-vl6hj]

How I wish Lea is still Kim in Ms. Saigon! I was only in high school when Ms. Saigon was played in the Philippines... 😔

[@lynd.7978]

Still Lea Salonga is my favorite. She’s a Legend ❤️❤️❤️

[@haroldkingsantiagosongs]

The Philippines Conquers The World with Beauty, Singing Voice, Humor, Humility & Intelligence.. Can't wait to watch their upcomibg Movie entitled "Yellow Rose". 💖💖💖😊🙏.

[@lauramackenzie1157]

Love these two. Both so talented!!!

[@wilmamilotejero5479]

Lea, you are so smart and classy and smart..

[@edenlacambra5789]

Lea is always amazing in all her interviews. I rarely or I haven't heard her ever say Ammmm during interviews. She's really eloquent

[@jonalynpimentel4437]

Ma'am Lea Salonga, always a legend.

[@julietarnaldoebin9287]

I love Lea she a multi talented artist Well I don't really care what accent she used What I knew she can change d her accent regarding what country interview her . So she's perfect for me 💞

[@hilianneguazon1737]

I was curious about the ending and here Lea just said it but it doesn't matter...what matters is the in between and how it had that ending..i've been addicted to the sun and moon song...love u Lea...guys try to watch the audition in Manila...Lea sounded so perfect and her face very fresh!

[@beckiejbrown]

I didn't know the ending, oh what a spoiler!!! :(

[@adammendelski787]

I know, right? I am so glad I watched the Musical first, before this interview. I would be furious otherwise. Although, like Lea said, shame on you (and me too), if you haven`t known the story, as the show has been around for 27 years now

[@labellavita12]

Watch the whole musical to know why... That was 25 years ago. Not a new musical... A lot of oeople know that already.

[@jasonlicos]

I haven't finish it yet. I'm halfway through.

[@fritzg.2482]

I've seen ms. Saigon several times. It was really God! Like i wanna sing all day with them. Belting my lungs out. Lol. Cant tho.

[@ofuuoboodisconnectedhuh169]

Best interview of Lea !

[@lizabethfernandez3046]

i've seen Miss Saigon twice (In Broadway and in the Philippines) both with Lea as KIM. I cried both times.

[@patriciaegan8149]

"jokes" not needed. Real story, beautiful voices displaying real life. Let's keep it this way. Ms. Siagon was one of the reasons people from everywhere became aware of this part of history. p.s. I'll remember the cast for the gift you gave back of bringing awareness to a very important part of world history.

[@tomgallowitz4464]

It's coming back to Broadway in 2017 with Eva and Jon Jon.

[@tomgallowitz4464]

+Jim Tiongson Newsflash she is, it's been confirmed, are you sure it's not the alternate?

[@tomgallowitz4464]

+Jim Tiongson Sorry buts been confirmed, quit being delusional. Are you sure you weren't watching something from the original production. Also someone could have may a error and meant the tour or another production. Bottom line Eva is Kim on Broadway it's been confirmed since January, do a google search of your not convinced.

[@tomgallowitz4464]

+Jim Tiongson My mistake November of 2015

[@tomgallowitz4464]

+Jim Tiongson www.broadway.com/buzz/182781/the-heat-is-on-miss-saigon-revival-will-bow-on-broadway-in-2017/

[@prophetmadonna3744]

Lea grew up in Asia and in Philippine showbiz... HER DICTION ALONE is amazing... she speaks English better than the average native speakers of English. She command of the English language itself is Talent. She owns the language and the culture even if she grew up in Asia. So all these morons who define NATIVE SPEAKERS of English as people from New Zealand and South Africa and some other countries only are IGNORANT.

[@smashinkelsey]

You are so right, sir!

[@kencv9400]

Her command of the english language..

[@mergonzaga2271]

Because in Philippines where I came from, if you are from well-off or very wealthy family, they speak English with an American twang while the poor like me, we only speak English in classrooms and wrong grammar is a mortal sin. If you are not rich and you speak English, Filipinos will raise their eyebrows and you will be ridiculed for wrong grammar. Lea only started speaking tagalog when she was beginning to do film. She needs to attract the ordinary folks unlike theater you can be highbrow unlike film industry it is for the "masses".

[@whatevergoesforme5129]

@@mergonzaga2271 Actually, Lea does not come from a rich family. I know her family history. Listen to how her mother, Ligaya, speaks. However, Lea's mother knew how to make her daughter fluent in the English language by enrolling Lea in good schools for the rich, forcing Lea to listen to English songs (particularly musicals and Disney songs) only, forcing Lea to watch English films only so that Lea will be more native-like. Lea can speak Filipino but years of being forced by her mom to always use English honed in Lea's English language skills.

[@lourdes86179]

FYI I live here in the south in the US , Georgia different speaking of English so slang you can't understand like how are you ? Their is howday. In the west area like Montana they speak English clearly.

[@shaielbo]

They're like mother and daughter ❤

[@zoeisabelle2160]

I'm pretty sure they are mother and daughter in Yellow Rose (the new film Eva and Lea star in)

[@Aliciass1817]

Lea Salonga has set the benchmark extremely high. Sorry I don't think anyone can bit that. The eye to eye with her Chris role partner (Simon Bowman, Chris Chase and David Campbell) she nailed it and she has such chemistry with whoever played her partner.

[@chompet123]

omg i got spoiled.. i honestly have never seen the show. :(

[@labellavita12]

You don't know the whole story.. So you watch first.. The musical is already here on yt

[@lswandito]

Get the Blue Ray dvd

[@Protactiny]

Awwww. She really shoots herself in the end.

[@bugsbane]

OMGLOL... Lea = Spoilers! hehe. for those who haven't watched this (3-timer here), listen only until 6:45 then stop.

[@wayfaringshaman]

Makapag-mano lang talaga ako kay Gng. Lea Salonga, masaya na ako sa buhay ko.

[@kentaoki7374]

Lea is a pride of Filipino people,very talented singer and actress

[@stefffanyanne2114]

The new kim is also part filipino.

[@rikidemestizo]

I wanted to hear Lea's UK english accent when she was 18.

[@2caneton]

Lea Salonga interview with Terry Wogan 1989 kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqDPnppjnqiNqck

[@ritz25winters98]

one word for lea ,,such smart lady

[@pallafox]

"Les mis (the film) did all right" Lea: "I think it did yea.......respectably" lol A lot of theatre fanatics would know that the film version butchered the stage version. Horrible casting, horrible camera angles.waterdowned songs. Unnaceptable. Although I do believe Hathaway deserved the oscar for her performance even though she was off key.

[@laurenspiers9221]

🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@lucywallis400]

pallafox theatre fanatic here who removed my head from my arse long enough to actually watch and appreciate the film - and besides, it still did pretty well at the box office, no matter how many elitists say how bad it was

[@nicolewhinnett641]

To be fair... Samantha Barks was incredible in the movie! :) but I agree the movie was awful compared to the stage show! No where near as much power

[@musicaltheatergeek79]

Yes, the film did really well, but a film's box office gross is not always indicative of its quality. In fact, more often than not, terrible, low-brow humor movies are hits, while good-reviewed movies don't generally make a dent at the BO. MAMMA MIA! was an even bigger hit (fifth-highest grossing film of 2008) and that film was terrible in all respects! I've never seen the Broadway show, but judging it as a movie musical, it was horrible, particularly the "singing' voices. I agree with pallafox (and apparently Lea) that LES MIZ film was a bastardization. It was excruciating to sit through, because the singing was so bad. The live-singing gimmick seemed like a good idea in theory, but it was not executed well. I mean, if you're gonna require actors to sing live (instead of prerecording their voices and sweetening it in post-production), then hire actors who can sing. Not mediocre to bad singers. Also, make sure they can handle the score. Jackman is a decent singer, but Jean Valjean was out of his range. Too often he sounded like a bleating goat in his attempt to reach the notes. He totally massacred "Bring Him Home," which on stage is a show-stopper, but it was an embarrassing moment in film. Furthermore, have the actors sing the score as written. LES MIZ at its core is a bombastic musical with rock ballads that were written to be belted. Having the actors whisper the score and 'speak-sing' was another terrible idea. The score was also very muted in the film. Rousing songs like "Do You Hear the People Sing?" and "One Day More" did not provide the thrilling experience as on stage, because the orchestral music was added in post-production (while the singing was done live to a piano) and it was muted somewhat as to not overtake the (terrible) voices. Ugh, the whole thing was a big mess!

[@nicolewhinnett641]

didn't like the Les Mis film as much as I like the stage version for obvious reasons. However, the point of the movie was to create a more personal view of the musical between the actor and the viewer. So the quieter singing and more muted large songs (though it was a shame about One Day More) were actually directed to be that way in order to make it more life like. Also, I don't think the entire cast were a shambles. Hugh Jackman was a good Val Jean, though I agree he did struggle with some notes, however his acting completely made up for this. Secondly Samantha Barks was phenomenall and I am actually really angry that the film did not give her as much credit as she deserved. Hugh Jackman, Amanda Seyfried and Anne Hathaway's faces were plastered everywhere for promotion but not once, was there a poster or interview with Samantha, when she is evidently the best in the movie. (did you know she was told she could only have the role of Eponine if she toned down her performance so she didn't outshine the famous actors?) Finally Aaron Tveit was a star. He really made Enjolras his own and made me love him even more. (Is it a rule in musical teatre that anyone who gets to play Enjolras must be drop dead gorgeous? Drop dead pun not intended...) So although te stage show is 100% better than the movie, it is not because the movie was 'accidently' made that way and that it was mediocre actors making it that way. Tom Hooper and Cameron Makintosh (Producer) actually discussed the matter and decided they WANTED it that way. :) xxx

[@50sRockChick]

We saw Eva and she was incredible :)

[@maximilianc9897]

Lea looks so young. Eva and her could be sisters.

[@ecarghk1868]

I LOVE LEA SALONGA!

[@vicentehizon6202]

Lea and Eva look like mother and daughter.

[@airamaepacheco8681]

In my opinion, Eva's voice is not "Miss Saigon type". When I watched MS 2k14 and heard her voice, it's a bit RnB type. Not the classical type. Even Rachelle Ann Go, she had too many curly tunes. Original cast still the best.

[@whatevergoesforme5129]

I agree but many people of this generation like the belting technique of pop singers.

[@johneduardoctavianoiv9749]

So, I guess that would be a room for improvement for them then. Aw. Lea spent most of her developing years as kid singing musical theater songs. So, no wonder why she strictly sings the song based on how those songs were writtem. I heard Lea sings pop or RNB songs, but in "straightforward" way which is good for me. If we're going to compare it to food, being her as a cook, she makes the food easier to digest. 🤭

[@jegilvan]

lea salonga looks like holly marie combs.. :)

[@eduardochavacano]

Exactly. I thought Im the only one who says that or you probably read my comment somewhere. More like they have the same aura. Because Shanen Doherty looks more Filipino than Holly.

[@nongienong6900]

Love them both.

[@destinyrose6101]

Lea is legendary

[@robertbagayao6666]

These people brought brighter color to the philippines. The country couldn't see them though because it's so hard to see through black clouds

[@hocares6983]

This two is in a deans list of disney university

[@jujinoosushi4156]

Lea is everyone’s favorite and idol when it comes to her achievements. But sometimes she sounds too confident in speaking, which many Filipinos don’t really like. But she has all the right to be an overconfident person! 👏👏👏

[@Thom5972]

Yes she has every right. With Olivier and Tony awards, yes may karapatan siya.

[@yyg4632]

They're both so damn talented, smart, beautiful, and confident

[@jonalynpimentel4437]

Ma'am Lea Salonga, still Looks Young and very pretty. I love ma'am Lea Salonga, well she's my only Kim,. Thank you so much too,... Ma'am Lea Salonga.

[@sssophie9292]

2:09 what a great flashback, haha ...

[@rueliligan2801]

She is still beautiful

[@MikanSakura7ginnm]

Lea so classy

[@lauras2858]

yup it came to broadway and im SOO happy it did i just say it a few days ago and Eva is beyond amazing!!! I truly hope they eventually make a film!

[@trishmochi2674]

She's the original singer of theme song from Dysney movie Mullan and Alla din "Reflection" and "A whole new World"

[@dannipop_4913]

OHH NO I am in the middle of watching the making of miss saigon, there is spoiler ...................

[@rjcinco6098]

shes pretty too and shes filipina too waw, she kinda resembles lea back then too

[@boneslaosvu]

Loved this interview made me laugh so hard

[@japrilcuadra11]

Miss Lea was Jasmine's singing voice but in this interview I can hear in her accent as Jasmine's talking voice.

[@crazychic210]

Japril Cuadra she's also Mulan's singing voice.

[@sarahjones1120]

SPOILERS IN THE VIDEO!!!!! Be careful if you don't know the ending to the show.

[@JohnWilmerding]

These days, spiritually, the Philippines are a truer America than the USA is.

[@greenbeverly1828]

Lea's face is remarkable

[@sjavsgscb2784]

Oh my Lea 😍

[@realalldway-raw4996]

Lea Salonga will always be the 1st & Foremost Original Kim... there won't be anyone else after her. Now when I see someone else singing her Song. I see Lea. In retrospect when you are the Original, you're name will always be attached to whomever follows your footsteps. Like Kelly Clarkson will always be known as the 1st American Idol. You can never change it.

[@august1837]

I love lea, but there isn’t enough Eva appreciation in the comments

[@moow950]

Lea still so beautiful. Anyone have an update about the film version?

[@roseastillero8222]

I've got a CD of the film version a gift from my cousin going home from London.Eva playing the role as Kim.

[@karenkaye9747]

Lea💕

[@moow950]

They should cast Vietnamese actors/actresses!

[@rmtubelonia]

They did try. Cameron even went to Vietnam but cant find one with d voice and the diction

[@josephensworth7044]

The days nung mahaba pa buhok ni ma'am Lea. Sana pahaba ulit siya. She's gorgeous with short hair, pero mas sanay ako sa kanyang iconic long hair look.

[@Ramsgate15]

love leas reaction to ruining the show "its been 25 years!"

[@boxingmatch]

Does she put this accent on for interviews? I just saw her speak with an accent elsewhere

[@margaesperanza]

Lea spoke in a different accent before because she had serious speech training as a kid (she's been acting on stage since she was very young). So maybe she just did that accent out of habit, eventually an american accent is more natural for a natural-born Filipino than a british one.

[@bornleader12]

Lea studied in OB Montessori in the Philippines before wherein most, if not all, of her teachers were from England. She learned how to speak English from them. That is why when she got the role for MS she was commended for her communication skills and people were amazed that she sounded like an English-born lady. As for her American accent, she stayed in the USA for years. We do tend to adapt the accent from where we lived in most of the time. Also, in the Philippines, we speak in American accent mainly because of our history. :)

[@labellavita12]

She said she got good set of ears.. She can learn stuff such as songs and accent and adopt to it quickly without even knowing and trying.

[@albongcara5125]

bornleader12 youre a natural.leader. u led ur reader to understand how did leah learn to speak those accents.

[@whatevergoesforme5129]

@@bornleader12 I know Lea Salonga's family history. She did not stay in the US for years. It was her schooling, other forms of training that made her very articulate and these were done in the Philippines. These also helped her with enunciation of words needed in theater and singing. She actually comes from a not-so-rich family but was raised properly by her mom. And yes, Filipinos tend to use the American accent since we were colonized by the Americans but many Filipinos speak with a Filipino accent. Not so many can speak the way Lea does in the Philippines. Lea can switch accents but she only used the British accent when she was in London to blend in. EDIT: Lea only stayed in the US after being an international star but she already had the American accent as a child. She has always been articulate since she is quite intelligent and graduated valedictorian in high school (OB Montessori where the teachers are not really British but very good Filipino teachers as I should know since I have been in the English teaching scenario for many years already). Had she not passed her audition for Miss Saigon, she would have studied medicine in college since she said other courses were just breeze courses which offended many people at that time.

[@shaira9984]

I love Lea so much...so proud being a fellow Filipina.

[@manchestertart5614]

Can’t believe that Simon and Alistair weren’t invited on to this show ,and there was no mention of them ☹️😞

[@skylacasse1817]

yeah

[@nomad82912]

It's kind of funny when she had a British accent during audition and now she speaks with an American accent.

[@desireeban4694]

my ever fave ms.saigon ...Lea!

[@MjYosh]

Lea...u spoiled it for me :(

[@Belle-yw2ez]

They almost look the same age lol lea never ages 😍😍😍

[@thwb4661]

I wonder why they can't cast a real Vietnamese girl in this production. I mean Filipino singers are already famous for great voices but, why them? Can't they find a real vietnamese woman? It's just interesting to see real vietnamese who will portray that vietnamese role.

[@rb-k2962]

The Happy Weird Boy Who knows, probably they did try to look for a Vietnamese girl for Kim's role but just did not find the right one....we can't know all that process....

[@labellavita12]

Of course they did... It was a world wide search.. Who got the good gets to be picked.. Like in Lea's case, they had auditions in us , uk and so many places and base from the peoole who already auditioned that they think were great, it's eithet their full Filipino or half so theydecided why not go to the Philippines... And so they did.. That's where they find Lea (kim) the kim understudy, gigi and some of the ensembles including jon jon briones

[@bryantpark88]

They actually were able to audition a couple of Vietnamese ladies, in LA and Honolulu if I'm not mistaken. I remember there was one Vietnamese girl in particular that had some potential. Try to watch "Miss Saigon...the making" here on youtube. The casting crew details what they're looking for during the auditions.

[@ytuseracct]

Maybe they haven't found one that is good enough

[@whatevergoesforme5129]

Not a lot of Vietnamese are into theater. And maybe those who auditioned has the Vietnamese accent.

[@Aliciass1817]

Definitely the first Miss Saigon is the hardest because it was a raw material and very new to all the casts. As for the follow ups it is slightly much more easy to follow either you have it or you don't for Eva she still very young and need to polish up her acting and expression. She should be more humble and ask advice from Lea rather than trying to be equal like Lea coz she is no way near what Lea Salonga's achievement!

[@FanOBarbaro]

Eva's done well for herself. She's now one of the leads in Hadestown

[@richardgalang5113]

I still like you much mam Leah, even though you spoiled miss Saigon's plot for me here, =P

[@johnkevin1104]

I haven't seen miss Saigon yet, noooo spoiler for me :(

[@TheDarrodrigues]

Oh Lord, I`m gonna watch it on Broadway for the 1st time in July and got this SPOILER, why?????

[@mk_master4031]

I DIDN'T KNOW THE ENDING AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH