Hollywood’s lights are set to glow even brighter.
This comes as the vibrant spirit of Filipino pride takes center stage.
Broadway legend and Disney icon Lea Salonga is poised to make history. Specifically, she will become the first Filipina to earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Meanwhile, Tony Award-winning powerhouse Nicole Scherzinger and celebrated comedian Jo Koy will join the Class of 2027. Together, their honors highlight the unstoppable rise of Filipino talent across music, theater, comedy, film, and television.
Lea Salonga Makes History on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Salonga’s landmark star dedication takes place on Friday, September 4, 2026. The event will occur outside the legendary Pantages Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. At the ceremony, she will receive the 2,855th star in the Live Theatre and Live Performance category. This honor marks a crowning achievement in her brilliant 45-year career.
During the event, emcee Sibley Scoles will welcome fellow Disney Legend Ming-Na Wen. Notably, Wen voiced Mulan while Salonga sang her iconic songs. As a result, their reunion brings together two legendary artists who brought Disney heroine Mulan to life for generations.
Nominated by the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF), Salonga joins the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce’s Class of 2026. Consequently, her selection marks a major milestone for Filipina and Asian representation worldwide.
Just two days later, another celebration awaits her. On Sunday, September 6, 2026, she will receive the Icon Award. This presentation will take place at the third annual MIFF Closing Night Awards Gala at The Beverly Hilton.
Show Is Still On For Miss Saigon
Salonga’s journey to Hollywood began decades ago. First, she rose to global fame as Kim in Miss Saigon, winning both Tony and Olivier Awards. Next, she broke ground as the first Asian actress to play Éponine in Les Misérables.
For millions of Disney fans, her vocal talent remains her most enduring legacy. Salonga brought Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and the title character in Mulan to life through song. Consequently, she secured a cherished place in childhood memories around the world. Today, she continues to captivate audiences on Broadway, in the West End, on screen, and in concert.
The Star-Studded Walk of Fame Class of 2026
Salonga joins an impressive Class of 2026 that spans every corner of the entertainment industry.
- Motion Pictures: Emily Blunt, Timothée Chalamet, Chris Columbus, Marion Cotillard, Keith David, Rami Malek, Rachel McAdams, Demi Moore, Franco Nero, Deepika Padukone, Molly Ringwald, Stanley Tucci, Carlo Rambaldi, and Tony Scott (posthumously).
- Television: Greg Daniels, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Lucero, Gordon Ramsay, Melody Thomas Scott, Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, Bradley Whitford, and Noah Wyle.
- Recording: Air Supply, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Paulinho Da Costa, The Clark Sisters, Miley Cyrus, Josh Groban, Grupo Intocable, Angélique Kidjo, and Lyle Lovett.
- Live Theatre & Performance: Lea Salonga and comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias.
- Sports Entertainment: Shaquille O’Neal.
The Filipino Presence Continues: Class of 2027
In addition to the 2026 honorees, Nicole Scherzinger and Jo Koy were selected for the Class of 2027. Both will receive stars in the Live Theatre and Live Performance category alongside Italian ballet star Roberto Bolle.
For Scherzinger, this recognition marks another milestone in a remarkable career. Born in Honolulu to a Filipino father, she first rose to fame as lead vocalist of The Pussycat Dolls. Later, she expanded into television, film, and theater. Her stage career reached a new peak in 2025, when she won a Tony Award for playing Norma Desmond in Sunset Blvd. Her Walk of Fame nomination, submitted by MIFF, highlights her strong connection to her Filipino roots.
Similarly, Jo Koy built a comedy empire by drawing on his Filipino American upbringing. Through stand-up specials and record-breaking tours, he shares family stories that resonate with global audiences.
Furthermore, Koy’s impact extends beyond stand-up comedy. He actively champions Filipino representation in film. For example, he executive produced the acclaimed documentary Nurse Unseen, which honors Filipino nurses working on the pandemic front lines in the United States. Scherzinger and Koy belong to a 32-member Class of 2027 chosen from hundreds of global nominations. The class includes Idris Elba, Kate Hudson, and Dakota and Elle Fanning (Motion Pictures); Pedro Pascal, Lisa Kudrow, and Keke Palmer (Television); Linkin Park, Lil Wayne, Karol G, and The Ramones (Recording); Charlamagne tha God (Radio); and Jimmie Johnson (Sports Entertainment).
Their star ceremonies will take place over the next two years. Thus, fans will have multiple opportunities to celebrate their achievements on Hollywood Boulevard.
A Lasting Cultural Legacy
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is managed by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for the City of Los Angeles. It remains one of the world’s most recognizable symbols of entertainment success. A panel of industry peers selects honorees, while sponsors fund the stars, ceremonies, and upkeep. Meanwhile, the sidewalk remains free and open to the public.
For global Filipino audiences, these honors represent far more than brass stars on a sidewalk. From Salonga’s trailblazing theater work to Scherzinger’s musical triumphs and Koy’s cultural comedy, their achievements highlight visibility, perseverance, and pride. Ultimately, Filipino talent is no longer standing in the audience—it is taking its rightful place on the boulevard.
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