Waleska & Efra react to Lea Salonga's Audition for Miss Saigon | REACTION

[@Waleska-Herrera]

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[@ruthokbazghi9368]

React to oneus lit and comeback home next

[@ruthokbazghi9368]

React to mamamoo dingo killing voice

[@katarina64]

How about A whole new world sang by the lea and brade kane duet with the original recording 25 years later and its like nothing, its everything❤ Though its been so many years but still its like how its been years 25 yrs ago.. here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/inzdq6esf8qEoNk

[@Zee_1003]

Efra, Waleska, Leah was also the voice of Princess Jasmine in Alladin and she and Brad Kane sang A Whole New World in a reunion guesting at a morning (?) show. hope you can check this out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpiaZoOMnq6Fqq8

[@Zee_1003]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qojEfqt5oJV8pKs Here, Leah Salonga beautifully sings Reflection while being filmed by The Greatest Showman star, Keala Seattle. she was fangirling the while time. she was with her Broadway friends like Darren Criss, who, by the way is half Filipino.

[@charliecurilan4110]

Philippines was their last destination, they weren't expecting to find anyone. They've come back to cast every international production since. I was lucky enough to be part of the Dutch and Swedish versions.

[@demon6937]

wow imagine if they didn't end up in Philippines they would just gave up.

[@labellavita12]

actually, they know that there's so much talent in the Philippines but didn't expect this much. The Philippines was not really part of their itinerary. They have observed from the previous auditionees that those who stood out either a Filipino or with a Filipino blood so they thought why not go to the Philippines instead. You can see it in the documentary where they were scanning all the resume's and Cameron Mackintosh said "She's from the Philippines.

[@lingling2577]

The Philippines at first was not really part of the places they'll visit but because they noticed talent they found from the previous auditionees has Filipino blood then that's when they decided to go straight to Ph but didn't expect that it would be a lot. From the main cast i think they found 13 people. The main Kim, alternate and Gigi and so many more and it happened again during the search for the 25th anniversary, they made sure to look in the Philippines and found Rachelle as Gigi, Tanya as Alternate Kim, and a lot more, the main Kim for the 25th is half Filipino.

[@ernestohernan1735]

Being OFW,.had the chance to watch Miss Saigon live in Singapore, and WOW...listening it live is electrifying...esp the circling roar of the Huey(?) Helicopter that appeared in the stage. So many kababayan musical artists casted in the show. The show ended with standing ovation from audiences Feel lucky and proud that night...

[@leonmonterola2547]

@@labellavita12 No. Somebody told Macintosh to check out the Philippines. That person happened to watch a Filipino movie wherein the characters were singing in one scene. It was in Tagalog and the rendition was superb. The title of the movie was Orapronobis, directed by Lino Brocka. Check it out.

[@gee7436]

That audition was in Manila. They were auditioning girls from different parts of the world and they noticed that quite a few were from the Philippines so they decided to go to the source itself. They didn’t only find their lead star there, they hired a whole bunch of Filipino talents for the show. After Lea, several more Filipinas played Kim in Miss Saigon.

[@cherrysantos96]

Think we had 3 filipino singers who luckily played kim

[@jemariebeaton7429]

@@cherrysantos96 yeah you’re right. One of the 3 is Monique Wilson if i’m not mistaken and then the recent Ms. Eva Noblezada

[@armandotantoco5284]

@@cherrysantos96 there were a whole bunch of other filipinas who played kim with jenine desiderio, jaime rivera & rachel ann go among the more prominent ones.

[@alexiagabriel1724]

@@cherrysantos96 There were a lot of Filipinas who played Kim, not only in London and New York, but in other parts of the world as well. Aside from Lea Salonga and Monique Wilson, Jenine Desiderio, Joana Ampil, Carla Guevara, Leila Florentino, Caselyn Francisco (German production), Ima Castro, Jamie Rivera, Ma-Anne Dionisio, among others.

[@cherrysantos96]

@@alexiagabriel1724 ooh is that right? Thanks for the info. I only knew lea, monique among them.

[@maxmd9218]

It was Michel Schönberg, the same guy responsible for Les Misarables playing the piano. The composer himself. He also fought for Lea to be Eponine and Fantine in Les Miserable even if she was Asian. Schömberg still says that she was the best singer for both roles.

[@labellavita12]

He fought for her since the beginning when she brought Lea and Miss Saigon to broadway bcos of the actors equity. So actors equity asked them to hold an audition for that role who is an American citizen (Lea is still a Filipino Citizen till now and carrying a Ph passport)... so they did but they couldn't find any to portray that role. She should prove that she's with a high caliber to win that over despite being a "not American". And Lea won an "Olivier" already in the Uk, kinda like the Tony in the westend. So one night she just received a phonecall saying "You're going to broadway"..

[@blazeinfinity8135]

"Lea Salonga" played Orphan Annie when shes just 8'yrs.Old'...

[@mewhy826]

No one’s voice is more “crystal clear” than Lea Salonga !

[@evandizon4874]

I agree 101%

[@simplyyhanz]

Lea herself said there's another one but unfortunately she/he lost it - Charice Pempengco.

[@dragonballseries3977]

Absolutely indeed even Taylor swift can't compare to her

[@mike26fl89]

Morissette Amon is unbelievable. I love Salonga. But you will fall in love with Morissette. There is video of Morissette singing in front of Selonga and Salonga is in SITTING WITH HER MOUTH OPEN. LOL.

[@gnoldantaf6241]

@@mike26fl89 morissette is like regine only belting singers nothing so special about it

[@sydney8734]

If you notice, Lea is very observant. She can read musical notes that's why she easily gets along. She's 16 at that time for the audition

[@swissmiss5685]

She was 17 that time

[@marlonsison1302]

Absolute pitch

[@christoperangeles7254]

She was 15 that time

[@swissmiss5685]

@@christoperangeles7254 nope she was 17 that time

[@miniearmie339]

She was 17 when she auditioned and 18 when she went London for the role. Lea has a background in musical theatre from an early age. She played Annie when she was 9 yrs old and casted in several other plays through the years. She was ready for the role of Kim when she auditioned. She also has a perfect pitch.

[@EllaB33]

Regine Velasquez has complimented Lea as having the perfect pitch while considered herself to be just of relative pitch. “Perfect pitch means you can pluck an existing note out of the air and sing it in tune very accurately, while relative pitch means that a singer could hear an existing note and then use it as a reference point for every other note they sing.”

[@almirababida5655]

She has already a career before Miss Saigon.She is an actress and a singer at a very young age in the Philippines.

[@eduardochavacano]

They dont care!

[@labellavita12]

@@eduardochavacano rude

[@dontgiveup3237]

@@eduardochavacano Crab mentality attendance

[@jamesarwinmillagracia3323]

Fun facts: She's Only Five Year's Old started singing in tv shows in television at Tawag ng Tanghalan ABS CBN Network

[@donnalynbaua919]

@@eduardochavacano lagi kong nakikita ang mokong na eduardo na to na against sa mga pilipino at pilipinas ..

[@thewisestofthemall]

She played Eponine on the 10th anniversary of Les Mis and Fantine on its 25th anniversary, the first actress of Asian descent to play the roles of Éponine and Fantine. She was also named a Disney Legend in 2011 for her work with The Walt Disney Company. She was only 18 when she won the Olivier and Theatre World Awards and the first Asian woman to win a Tony Award. Lea is legendary!

[@thewisestofthemall]

*firt Asian to win a Tony for Best Actress in a Musical.

[@benguy1341]

Please react to her performance in 10th anniversary of Les Miserables On My Own was great but A Little Fall of Rain.

[@yvannvillarias2485]

what freaks me out is that, lea's voice is still the same even now that she's in her 40's!crystal clear as ever

[@sgtjoe2008]

lea is so talented as a teenager, imagine nailing the song in just a few minutes with the composer....and those producers watching by the piano were like: 'she's definetely the one were looking for'

[@bryangul0]

And let it be known they searched all over the world and Lea walked in and changed everything for them :)

[@lizjocano7436]

I'm glad that Lea Salonga got that part, or else she'll be stuck here making movies. If Lea wanted to be a diva, by rights, she really deserves to be one. She had a 40th Anniversary concert last year. She and Simon Bowman reunited and sang their song. I missed the day where Simon and Lea signing posters. I attended the concert on the first day (I got her signed my poster), and the 2nd day it was with Simon. huhuhu

[@dluckygurl8]

Lea was only 17 when she was cast in Miss Saigon. I watched an interview of her beginning in theatre and how she was cast in Miss Saigon, etc. The interviewer asked her if she was nervous the first time she went up the stage to audition and she said not at all! Lea is a rarity for someone who is incredibly talented and confident in her own skin and her own talent. She can read notes and has photographic memory - she can memorise not only her lines but also the lines of other cast members! Being on stage is like breathing for her - she devours it!

[@wheredowegonow768]

she exists for this

[@melanietacud1376]

Lea Salonga voice is one of a kind for me she had the Most Beautiful voice in Broadway Stages crystal clear beautiful tone 👑😍🇵🇭 as well as the Best Voice of Disney Princess 😍❤️ thanks

[@maryelizabethpullido5376]

I remember this video, she had an interview before and said this was the first time she heard and sang that song. She was basically just reading the musical note and singing at the same time. She and her brother grew up reading musical notes and that helped her big time to get the MS role.

[@cdcotr]

She's been in theatre in the Philippines, released records, on TV, etc since she was a small kid which probably helped her composure. But this is still a whole higher level since it is a new West End musical being created with these amazing creators. Definitely catapulted her career internationally. There is a video of Lea recording Aladdin's A Whole New World with Brad Kane back in the 90s and also when they sang it again 23 yrs later in one video..very interesting how time changes (or doesn't) how they sang it.. Would like to suggest checking out Lea singing "Still Hurting" the rehearsal footage for the concert. The song is from a musical turned movie. Liked the rehearsal video bec it is closer up, more raw and intimate. A more subtle performance. Efra might enjoy theatre more now that he's a bit older. ..maybe...lol

[@joannpruitt2067]

Fyi..She's the first Asian to win a Tony Awards for Miss Saigon

[@justjm6510]

@@crisontherun actually Willa Kim is an Asean descent but she is not an Asian. She was born in US, live all her life in US and died in US.

[@lordsemblante1313]

Yeah which is wrong 😂 ur resources is not accurate...

[@justjm6510]

@LiNi 28 I'm talking about Willa Kim not Lea. Of course Lea is a legit Asian.

[@aronjamessalcedo7663]

@LiNi 28 If you are a Filipino, born in US, raised in US and living in US, and i assumed your citezenship is american, then you are not an Asian. You are an "Asian descent" but that will never make you an Asian. Because you are an "Asian-American" . Just like we don't call Bruno Mars an Asian though his mom is Filipina.

[@user-bn2fc2dy4n]

Now u gotta react to Lea salonga and Rachelle Ann Go "the movie in my mind" performance and lea's performance "you will mot touch him/thuy's death"

[@norcalpinoy9618]

I think they don't read comments here. Send your request on their Twitter account. I did mine and they featured my request which was "come inside of my heart" by iv of spades and I love iv of spades to death.

[@RoseAllDayyy]

Movie In My Mind is just gut wrenching 😭

[@pabloryan7030]

Yeah please react to this

[@Jlazinlas]

Ohh I'd give my life for you always makes me cry no matter how many times I watch that

[@salvadoroars]

Schonberg is a marvelous singer himself. It's so cold amd warm at the same time

[@SunTzuML]

Before Miss Saigon, Lea Salonga is already a thing in the Philippines.

[@mariloubautista4170]

My first Broadway musical which I watched in New York in the 90’s with the original casts. Can’t forget this experience. I still have the 2 CDs of Miss Saigon which I used to listen to everyday. She paved the way for so many Filipino singers. We became known worldwide because of her. I watched the complete video not only of her audition but also from other cities like NY, LA, Hawaii.etc.

[@cassiopeia__]

I love a Waleska who truly knows her historical references. ♥️

[@emelmah8821]

Lea is really great, and Ms. Saigon was not her first musical. She's been performing on stage at a young age in the Philippines prior to her Ms. Saigon audition. She was also doing films in the Philippines. She's just a very gifted performer and a great voice that can take one in an emotional journey.

[@michbutterz6227]

She has a lot of tv interviews and documentaries where she talked about her audition in miss Saigon and the beginning of her successful career.

[@daynee26]

You cant spell cLEAr without LEA. ♡

[@Kewpiegal001]

Thank you for reacting to Lea Salonga’s early audition. She’s been doing theater work in the Philippines since seven. She was a member of the Philippine Repertory. Her brother is also in the music business, he’s an orchestra conductor. Her understudy in Miss Saigon, Monique Wilson is also a Filipina.

[@kr-ir5ll]

Actually the 3 guys leaning on the piano watching her were the producer, director ,and the lyricist . And Lea was 17 on that video .

[@gee7436]

No, that was not a callback. It was the first time they met her.

[@JAM-fd5ku]

It is the callback. She sang "0n My Own" at the audition phase.

[@lifelover6674]

@@JAM-fd5ku yes, she had the same audition song with Monique Wilson. It was in Probe with Cheche Lazaro interviewing them.

[@gee7436]

@@JAM-fd5ku Oh ok. I guess I presumed it was the first audition from the way it was presented in the documentary. Thanks for the correction.

[@guerrahp5180]

@@JAM-fd5ku pretty sure she sealed her audition for Eponine at the same time...

[@kitchied]

The auditions for the first run of Ms Saigon were done all over the world. If I remember correctly, they didn't even think of coming to the Philippines, initially. They only came after going to so many other countries and not finding anyone. But, when they finally ran auditions here, they found Lea whom they chose to play Kim and Monique Wilson who was her alternate and Isay Alvarez who played Gigi and so many more who played alternates and support roles. Lea and that first group of Filipinos in the cast lay the ground for even more Filipinos to be part of the cast as Kim, the Engineer, Gigi and other roles in Ms Saigon as well as in other West End plays, including Les Miserables. I've actually lost count, but there are at least 10 other Filipinos who played Kim, after Lea.

[@lmija5244]

She was 16/17 and about to start college when they discovered her but waited for her to turn 18 to open Miss Saigon at West End.

[@freemanahumada5712]

Fun fact leah’s cousin is shay Mitchell from pretty little liars .. star or superstar is on they genes !!!!

[@RoseAllDayyy]

This blows my mind haha.

[@badlongon525]

Wow! That's crazy. Didnt know they're related.

[@freemanahumada5712]

@@badlongon525 loo there’s even a vid interview on shay about Leah. . Check it here on KZbin

[@freemanahumada5712]

@@RoseAllDayyy yah they 2nd cousin lol

[@joeyvelarde5574]

There's video of Lea singing Disney first time and 23 years later.

[@reigndrops3344]

Its a Whole New World 23 years later vid...its 👍

[@dayana23ist]

Yes!

[@lemiasimbulan2532]

There is actually a clip of Leah recalling her auditions with Disney on being Jasmine and Mulan. Check it out, please.

[@liner8550]

thank you for this video.. LEA IS OUR NATIONS TREASURE.. after her the global entertainment industry took a chance for so many Filipinos.. Goodluck to you.. God bless

[@fernalandicho4191]

She was seventeen years old that time. The age requirement for the lead star is seventeen and she’s just perfect.

[@alphaomegazulu]

me & my friends were lucky to have seen lea salonga at the manila staging of miss saigon way back in 2000. a sort of homecoming for her & for the many filipino cast members of miss saigon. it was highly emotional filled with conflicts & contrasts, that highlighted people's capacity to love inspite of the uncertaintly that the future holds.

[@lmija5244]

Lea won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for Miss Saigon.

[@TDLTDL100]

Didn't she also win a Tony for Miss Saigon on Broadway, too? Because the Olivier Award is for West End.

[@jaymedina8486]

@@TDLTDL100 yes, she did win a Tony as well.

[@TDLTDL100]

@@jaymedina8486 What's amazing is that she has also formed a network/connections on Broadway. I think that she has also co-produced some of the plays there. One was the hit musical ROCK OF AGES. I only came to know about this because I was following one of the lead actors there and a fan posted the playbill and I saw Lea's name on it. That was cool.

[@IsekaiCook]

There's so much innocence in her voice.

[@haroldk724]

There is NO ONE like Lea Salonga and never will be...She is a super technical vocalist and a Master of song... You watch her real close she not only speaks the words she chews them and spits them out perfectly..... so many have talked about her ability to mouth the words....(special name for it I do not know) ....but She is truly amazing....Great reaction Ps....she has been on Philippines Kids voice for a number of years...and Help many Children one girl called Esa you watch her sing you see Lea S....and Esa is like a mini Lea S ...and Lea even said that also

[@mauroranw]

Lea was 17 years old when she auditioned for this. There's a documentary for this on KZbin. They held auditions in many places and their last destination was the Philippines not knowing they'll find their lead there.

[@YGZ-w8s]

Lea starts singing as young as 5 years old on theatre and opera and established her singing career at that very age

[@RoseAllDayyy]

Miss Saigon is one of my favourite musicals, and Lea was just the most perfect casting. Her talent is off the charts ❤️

[@kayeblack3245]

Lea was 17 years old when she auditioned in Miss Saigon. But she already has a big theater and TV carrier in the Philippines when she was still 8 or 9. She hs her own TV show with her brother who's an orchestra conductor

[@yansalvador3]

She has like a documentary entitled "Lea Salonga my Life .. In concert" you can search for it here in youtube

[@ronnieabelo6840]

She won Laurence olivier award for best actress.

[@jaymedina8486]

She also won a Tony Award for that.

[@yvesordonio]

@@jaymedina8486 Drama Desk, too.

[@eduardochavacano]

Do you actually think they give a damn?

[@christinedaya6840]

Eduardo Viajero Let them comment what they want dude. They’re just giving some infos. You don’t have to be so rude. Don’t spread negative vibes. Stop living that way. 🙂

[@islamarieespiritu1498]

During first run of Miss Saigon, there were a lot of Filipino singers casted. And in the rerun of Miss Saigon, the lead was again a Filipino from New York called Eva Noblezada. Again, a lot of Filipino singers were casted 😊

[@mhykel06]

Well they need to cast Asians because it's miss saigon!!!!

[@islamarieespiritu1498]

@@mhykel06 Well, I was pointing out that Filipinos were casted. The production held audition around the Asian Region too. And if you'll be so critical about it, Jonathan Pryce (who is Welsh) played the Engineer in the original production. A role that is for an Asian actor.

[@kromano04]

i just love how genuinely appreciative you two are to good music and very talented artists. keep doing you! warm regards :)

[@nathanielcanoy]

Please react to Lea's wedding vow - "Two Words, I do" composed by Lea and Gerard Salonga.

[@OXDR2225]

You definitely should not miss her On My Own performance at the 19 Anniversary of Les Mis in Royal Albert Hall.

[@Gtinker]

This video always gives me chills. HER VOICE WAS/ IS SO CLEAR!!! And Her tone?! OMG NUTS!!! The first time I saw this I just melted. I think she went through about 2 or 3 rounds of auditions for this. I don’t remember exactly but I think she was on the brink of quitting if she didn’t get that role.

[@dayana23ist]

React to Lea “don’t cry for me Argentina” and “a whole new world” after 23 years please!

[@bobnbea100]

Playing the piano is Claude Michel Schoenberg who composed the play’s libretto with Alain Boublil. The latter is one of the three watching the audition with Cameron Macintosh and the stage director.

[@claraluna7436]

You guys should watch the video of her singing "A Whole New World" in the studio!

[@cathytarasona3987]

Yeeesss!!!!been waiting for this.. i cried so much for this show....it takes for days before i moved on..it really break my heart..😭😭😭😭

[@aveinolayug7240]

Please react to her documentary. Its very inspiring. And also some of her performances in miss saigon like “I’d Give my Life for you”

[@lingling2577]

Lea was in Miss Saigon at that time and wondering what's going on because a bunch of the girls auditioned for what they say a brand new Disney movie then on the call board the casting director left her a note backstage saying "We've been looking for you. Would you pls give us a call. We're looking for Princess Jasmine" ..and then she went and saw Tim Rice, Allan Menken and she sang "Part of your world" from the little mermaid. Then Allan got up to the piano and played it in different keys and getting higher each time thinking how high her voice can go. So she got the part. She record "A whole new world with a 100 piece orchestra before she turned 21 and officially become a Disney Princess and the rest is history :)

[@Gray_Ocean]

Lea Salonga has an album from when she was a young child, “Small Voice” 1981, Philippines. She does have an interview of her Miss Saigon journey.

[@edenpalencia8873]

Lea Salonga started her singing career in theater in the Repertory Philippines as a kid, very disciplined, excellent voice training and technique. She can read musical notes at that age so i think she learned the song fast

[@gee2991]

It’s the beginning of her International stardom outside Philippines 🇵🇭. She sang the MULAN song . And many more

[@sebastianyugosans8544]

Just love watching you both doing reactions that are real, authentic and encouraging - keep safe - salud ! Que Dios este contigo siempre !

[@may2972]

If you want to have a glimps of how intensed and demanding her role in Miss Saigon was try to find clips of " I give my life to you part" of the play. One of the greatest!

[@jepoypinzon3297]

Shes really a smart and intelligent even when she was a small girl she sings infrontt of of dignified people. Shes not intimidated. I saw her at the Repertory of the Philippines when she was 9 yrs. Old

[@sheila_h14]

This is the first time I believe they’ve seen her (audition). She was 18 years old Or turning 18 during the audition. She was 18 when they started Miss Saigon. So happy you are reacting to this video.

[@lifelover6674]

Nope, this was already a call back. Her audition pieces were On My Own and Greatest Love of All.

[@sheila_h14]

I just watch the “complete” video of the making of miss Saigon and you’re right this was a call back.

[@labellavita12]

17 when she auditioned. Just turned 18 when the show opened.

[@mariariou6547]

There's a video of Lea guesting in a British tv show while Miss Saigon was running the first time in the west end. The Miss Saigon company went to several countries to conduct auditions. They came to the Philippines last. They ended up finding their star but also many others who formed part of the cast. Mackintosh and Schoenberg were pleasantly shocked to find the well of talents in the Philippines. They had of course the person in their head and when Lea came they knew she was who they were looking for but there were others who were not bad at all. Eventually when reruns of Miss Saigon were decided no more need for auditions as they have a list on hand from that Manila audition. I hope they could someday stage it again in Asia and maybe Manila. (The sets/stage were complicated and expensive to put up).

[@dluckygurl8]

I was lucky to see Miss Saigon when it was staged at the CCP (Manila) in 2000. Lea played Kim, Leo Valdez as the Engineer, and Will Chase as Chris.

[@mariariou6547]

@@dluckygurl8 Oh! Really lucky you! The production is amazing even if it's not exactly like the west end one. I'm in admiration of their work....

[@rongruella4970]

When Lea starts singing, "You are . . . ," my heart melted.

[@bangtanarmy68]

She went on to play Eponine and Fantine in Les Mis, and a bunch of other musicals. She was also the singing voice of Princess Jasmine and Mulan.

[@EZsWaterBoy]

She said in an interview that she had to do it perfectly since she was the first woman of color to play the role. Because of racism of White people. She said I was refused theatre role for being Asian. What a Shame. Not many people have an idea how much Lea Salonga contributed in breaking barriers and stigma against Asian recognition in the arts. She is up there with George Takei and the likes. Lea is the only one and no one will be like her. You should show respect and Love. Lea Salonga is the Michael Jordan of Broadway a perfectionist.

[@sevenwithyou7237]

It's amazing how she kept that crystal clear voice up to now..😍

[@windytagarino8339]

React on her concert in the Sydney Opera house where in she picked one guy from her audience to sing a whole new world on stage. :)

[@carlmarajay6019]

Morissette's Love You Still MV is out. World class talent.

[@georgefeliciano3859]

"It makes me wanna go back again" I'm kilig ❤️

[@mbethbee]

Please watch the entire documentary...amazing!

[@lizai7780]

On my own is her actual audition piece. They told her to sing another song and she sang the Greatest Love of All. It’s in one of her interviews. But there is no video at all of that audition.

[@pde12660]

Love love your reactions, very informative and knowledgeable! God bless you both! PS. Lea knows how to read na notes that's why she already know the song even for the first time not to mention her voice, wow so mesmerizing! I played that video many many times!

[@dorabella8413]

My all time favorite artist. I love u Lea Salonga. You are a pride to the Filipino people

[@fl-g15ramirezscullylou87]

Hi po! I hope you could also react to Lea Salonga singing "Blurred lines," you would really feel goosebumps all over, thankyou! 😘😊

[@meredithchandler73]

Lea was 17 when she auditioned for Miss Saigon and yes this launched her international career, BUT she had been working professionally in theater since age 7 (The King and I). At age 9 she played the lead role in Annie and really started to get noticed. She recorded her first album at age 9 (Small Voice) which was certified gold. She had a variety show on TV called Love, Lea that she did from ages 12-14.

[@peterohmarmendoza6381]

Thank you Waleska and Efra for this reaction, Ms. Lea Salonga is our National Treasure. Please react more to her performances. Love you both and more power.

[@PrettyGirlLanz]

Two Filipinos got the role of KIM during this audition- Leah Salonga and Monique Wilson... after which almost all the Miss Saigon franchise around the world have been composed of Filipino talents. Watch the Miss Saigon: 25th Anniversary (2016). You’ll be blown away by a performance duet of of the 1st KIM Lea Salonga and the last KIM (West End Theatre) Rachel Ann Go

[@justbelle1074]

She's the true Disney princess btw.. proud Filipina because of her.. thanks waleska and efra 💜 pls more of Lea Salonga

[@Babstenate]

There's a continuation of that audition. After that she sung Movie in My Mind.

[@loststar8359]

I just love that you chose this particular video of Lea!!! It’s still my dream to watch Miss Saigon live 🥺

[@susanbacero5692]

She was 17, but she aleady have 10 years of singing starting with The King And I when she was 9. She really is something. Thanks for this reaction. Smb

[@RomansapienMVision]

I love when you guys break things down. All reaction videos should be exactly like this - artistic opinion and all emotions that is going on.

[@dluckygurl8]

Please react to one of the many Filipinos who performed in Miss Saigon at the West End -- the underrated but incredibly talented Aicelle Santos, doing a cover of "I Don't Wanna Wait" (Live - Stages Sessions)

[@lucianorosso3375]

Actually its "on my own" that sparked her career. Auditionee's already showed their voices prior to this personal audition. This was like the final round.

[@sariel8406]

This was after she was shortlisted after many rounds and invited to sing the actual song from Miss Saigon. Lea discovered BTS recently and now can't stop raving about BTS, as a devoted Baby Army. I paid a lot of money to watch Lea from the front row when she performed in my country. It was money well spent. Lea also played Eponine, in the anniversary production for Les Miserables.

[@Lyrea7TV2021tinacacho]

At age 18, she originated the lead role of Kim in the musical Miss Saigon, first in the West End and then on Broadway,[3] winning the Olivier and Theatre World Awards, and becoming the first Asian woman to win a Tony Award.[4] Salonga is the first Filipino artist to sign with an international record label (Atlantic Records in 1993). Salonga was the first actress of Asian descent to play the roles of Éponine and Fantine in the musical Les Misérables on Broadway.[5][6] She also portrayed Éponine and Fantine, respectively, in the musical's 10th and 25th anniversary concerts in London. She provided the singing voices of two official Disney Princesses: Jasmine in Aladdin (1992) and Fa Mulan in Mulan (1998). She was named a Disney Legend in 2011 for her work with The Walt Disney Company.[7] Salonga starred as Mei-li in the 2002 Broadway version of Flower Drum Song. She has played numerous other stage, film and TV roles in the US, the Philippines and elsewhere. She has toured widely in the theatre roles and as a concert artist. From 2015 to 2016, she returned to Broadway in Allegiance, and from 2017 to 2019 she appeared in the Broadway revival of Once on This Island. Source: Wikipedia

[@leticiaperez9146]

LEAH SALONGA made her professional debut in 1978 at the age of seven (7) in the musical The King and I with Repertory Philippines. She was a consistent honor student in school- in fact even finished VALEDICTORIAN of her High School class. Prior to going to London , Leah was alredy a big celebrity in the Phils, as a TV and stage performer and even had her own TV show. Even if you remove all her experiences, she's a brilliant person that gives her all the confidence.

[@ronaldpessy6229]

She was 17 year when she did ; "Miss Saigon..Lea did also;'Les Misreables"and she sang as Yasmine in "Alladin" and she sang"Reflection"in Mulan; Lea is a legend in the Filipino, she was the first Asian woman in a western musical!She is a role model for Asian female singers !There is a clip she sang a song from Les Misreables when she the same age as she did Miss Saigon.

[@stanleyolivar7381]

Lea was already a stage star in the Philippines, having starred as Annie in the musical presented by Repertory Philippines. She had the experience!

[@eunieberry]

She’s got perfect pitch y’know~

[@guy7253]

lea is probably the only actress in the world who won both the tony and sir olivier award for leading actress in a musical

[@vangieco9880]

Lea trained a little girl, her name is ESANG DE TORRES, pls watch ESANG's performance at WISH BUS when she sang SALAMAT, SALAMAT MUSIKA 😊

[@iolabvictor8958]

Her Miss Saigon performance gave her Laurence Olivier and Tony Award for Best Actress in musical. She's also the first asian to play the role of Eponine in Les Miserables. You might want to react on her recording of A Whole New World with Brad Kane then singing it again in Good Morning America 23 years later. Here's the link ► kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpiaZoOMnq6Fqq8

[@armandotantoco5284]

lea salonga already had a career here in the philippines which started when she played lead in a local productions of the musical 'annie' when she was much younger. miss saigon started her international career. she won an olivier award in the uk & a tony award in the us for miss saigon

[@jonasmartinez1739]

They said that they all over the frikkin world trying to find possible singers for Miss Saigon.... from the UK to New York, to Los Angeles then westward to the..... east (?)... in the Philippines. Then they found a virtual treasure trove of singers that they hauled back to the UK and Lea's career started from there.... and damn what a career that is, very proud of you Lea!

[@Adobomonster]

@Waleska I also got to watch Miss Saigon in the West End before it closed. You must've seen several Filipinos in the cast, most notably Eva Noblezada as Kim, Jon Jon Briones as The Engineer and Rachel Ann Go as Gigi.