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Lea Salonga and Her Risky Role in Miss Saigon

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Lea Salonga

Photo via Lea Salonga (@msleasalonga) / Instagram

Lea Salonga, the award-winning actress, opened up about her worries when she was offered the role of Kim in the musical Miss Saigon. In an interview on PBS’s Finding Your Roots, she shared her concerns about how the role might affect her image, especially in the Philippines.

Before Miss Saigon, Salonga’s career was centered on wholesome and family-friendly roles. She started as a child performer, known for her pure and innocent image. “I was really concerned with how conservative audiences in the Philippines would react,” she said. “Back home, actresses were either seen as very wholesome or not at all. There was no in-between.”

The Struggle Between Artistic Risk and Public Perception

The character of Kim in Miss Saigon was different from anything she had done before. Salonga worried that playing such a role might lead people to label her as a “bold star,” a term often used in the Philippines for actresses who took on daring roles. “I kept thinking, ‘Am I going to be branded as that?’” she recalled.

Despite her fears, Salonga noticed something unique about the Western entertainment industry. In the West, actors could take on a variety of roles and still maintain their careers. There was room to explore characters without being put into one box.

In the end, Salonga decided to take the risk. Her performance as Kim in London’s West End in 1989 became a turning point in her life. She won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 1990, an incredible achievement for an Asian actress. When she reprised the role on Broadway in 1991, she made history again by winning a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, becoming the first Filipino to do so.

Her decision to step out of her comfort zone proved to be the right one. It not only opened doors for her but also showed the world the talent of Filipino artists. Salonga’s story continues to inspire many, proving that taking risks can lead to great success.

Today, Lea Salonga remains a respected artist. From releasing new music to performing in plays with other acclaimed actors, she continues to shine. Her journey shows that overcoming fear and embracing challenges can lead to unforgettable achievements.

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