There is a good chance that you, with other countless fans of all ages throughout the world, have sung along with the marvellous singing voice of princess Jasmine in the film Aladdin and Fa Mulan in Mulan and Mulan II. That voice belongs to Lea Salonga, the talented mezzo-soprano singer and theatre actress from the Philippines.

Lea made her professional debut at the age of seven in The King And I by Repertory Philippines. She began her singing career at the age of ten, when she recorded her first album, ‘Small Voice’, for which she received a gold record in the Philippines. Ever since, she has built upon an impressive body of work and distinctions for her performances in numerous concerts, hit musical plays and music albums. She received the prestigious Sir Laurence Olivier Award for her performance as Kim in the long running musical Miss Saigon in London. Playing the same role in Broadway, she gained the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics’ Circle and Theatre World awards.

Lea is strongly involved in supporting social and environmental causes. She has performed in a number of fund-raising concerts and supported a number of local and international charities, such as the World Vision Organization and the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. In 2010 Lea accepted the call to join the battle against hunger and supported the 1billionhungry project. In her capacity as a FAO Goodwill Ambassador, she also met with Bolivian farmers in Tarlac, La Paz, as part of a FAO-EC project on small-scale irrigation and educational training. Lea is also very dedicated to working with children, families and their communities. She is the World Vision Ambassador for Child Sponsorship, advocating for children and youth to reach their full potential by addressing the causes of poverty and injustice. As a YUNGA Ambassador she is committed to raising awareness among youth about social and environmental related issues.