Disney and Broadway legend Lea Salonga sat down with Lifestyle Asia ahead of her concert in Bangkok on 7 March.
If you’re a Disney millennial, the pristine angelic voice of Lea Salonga was the voice of our childhood. She was the wonder-filled Princess Jasmine that sung “A Whole New World” with Brad Kane. She’s Mulan trying to figure out who she is in “Reflection”. To date, she is the only person to provide the singing voices for two Disney princesses.
Aside from Disney, Salonga is a seasoned actor both on screen and on stage. She originated the role of Kim in Miss Saigon, and has played three of the female characters in Les Misérables. She’s also been seen (and not just heard) on TV and movie screens, such as in the 2022 Pretty Little Liars spin-off and the 2019 film Allegiance.
She’s toured all over the world, holding concerts in numerous cities, but it’s only now that Lea Salonga is coming back to Bangkok after a long while. And people can’t wait to see her: her show, which will be held at One Bangkok on 7 March, sold out quickly after it was announced. We got to sit and talk to her while she was still in Manila about the upcoming show, sharing the stage with her son, and gaming.
[Hero and feature image: The Showhopper]
Lea Salonga on her upcoming Bangkok show, Thai food, and Assassin’s Creed
First of all, belated happy birthday!
Thank you! Fifty-five is fun. It’s a big one.
You don’t look it at all.
Thank you! I think it’s living a life of joy. Not happiness, but joy. There’s a difference. Being able to do what you love every day—it’s not easy and it’s challenging at times, but it’s what gives me the most fulfilment.
Another important question: have you finished Assassin’s Creed Shadows yet?
Oh yeah, I’ve finished it. It’s done!
What are you playing now?
Someone recommended Clair Obscur. I literally just started that. I’ll pick it up properly when I have time.
You’re coming back to Bangkok after quite a while. How does that feel?
It’s been so long, like, 16 years? I think the last time was 2010. It’ll be really lovely to come back with this concert. I’ve been doing it for a couple of years now, and it’s just fun. My brother’s our musical director, we’ve got a great band from Manila, backup singers I’ve worked with for a while. These are battle-tested people. And honestly, we’re all just looking forward to eating our way through this Asian leg of the tour. Anywhere with amazing food? We’re happy.
The show’s sold out, so clearly, Thailand missed you.
I’m so happy about that, and still surprised. It just makes me incredibly grateful that people want to come, want to be there. It’s going to be really fun. We might even get to see some friends we haven’t seen in years, so yeah, it’s shaping up to be a really, really good time.
Since you mentioned food, what are you excited to eat in Bangkok?
The usual: pad thai, pad see ew, green chicken curry. I know people will say, “That’s tourist food”, but I’m okay with that. It doesn’t have to be fancy. It can be street food. I just need to know where to go.
What makes songs like those from Disney or Miss Saigon so timeless?
It’s a combination of things. The song has to be good. If it’s not, no amount of great interpretation will save it. Then there’s the lyrics, the arrangement, the orchestration—everything has to come together in a way that makes the song accessible.
But it’s also what the song means to the audience. Sometimes it’s just, “I saw this show once and it changed me.” Sometimes it’s, “My parents took me to see this, and they’re not here anymore.” Those are core memories. I have my own connection to these songs, but the audience has theirs, and I don’t want to get in the way of that. I’m just a vessel. I’m here to deliver it, and whatever it means to you, that’s yours.
Do you have a favourite number to perform in this concert?
I love doing “Stayin’ Alive” from Saturday Night Fever! We have this arrangement that’s really cool. It hints at the Bee Gees harmonies, but it’s not quite that. We kind of mislead the audience at the start. I love that. Those arrangements where you trick the audience a little bit, it’s so fun.
You recently shared the stage with your son in Into the Woods in Manila. Were you in full mum mode and teaching him the ropes?
[Laughs] No, I let him figure things out. There are things you can’t teach: how to survive two-show days, how to manage your rest, your food. Every actor has to find their own system. Also, teenagers don’t always listen to their parents. Let’s be real. He listens to his peers and friends. As long as they’re helping him stay on a good path, I’m good. I’m just like, please take care of this child! Even if he’s 19. He’ll always be my baby. Always.
Finally, you played Eponine and Fantine in Les Mis, and now you’re playing Mme Thénardier there in Manila.
I’m collecting all these roles like Pokémon!
How is playing Mme Thénardier different from playing Eponine and Fantine?
I think each role came into my life when I was ready for it. When I played Eponine, I was in my early 20s, just coming out of being a teenager. For Fantine, I had just had a baby, so I could really connect with her pain.
Thenardier is different. This is a woman who probably had dreams once and now regrets every decision she’s made. So I just let that sit and just let it wash over me. Honestly, it’s just been fun. Really, really fun. And I’m glad I get to play her.
Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.