Lea Salonga honored as Disney 'legend' in California
For lending her voice to two Disney princesses, Philippine singing icon Lea Salonga has joined the ranks of Disney Legends. Salonga was feted for providing the singing voices of Jasmine in âAladdin" (1992) and Fa Mulan in âMulan" (1998) and âMulan II" (2004). âRight now Iâm rendered speechless by this... This is a really big deal and itâs wonderful for all these princesses to be honored in such a wonderful way by the Walt Disney Company," she said at the Disney Legends Award at the Anaheim Convention Center Arena last Aug. 19. The awards kicked off the first day of the D23 Expo, a gathering of the fast-growing Disney official fan club. At the Disney Legends 2011 Awards, Salonga was cited for her role in Repertory Philippinesâ âThe King and I" at age 7, and having her first solo album at age 10. She was particularly cited for her starring role in the international Broadway musical âMiss Saigon" and for her many entertainment awards in the Philippines. This yearâs awardees included:
- Jodi Benson (Princess Ariel, âThe Little Mermaid")
- Barton Boyd (Disney Consumer Products)
- Jim Henson (creator of the âMuppets")
- Linda Larkin (speaking voice of Jasmine, âAladdin")
- Paige O'Hara (Belle, âBeauty and the Beast")
- Regis Philbin
- Anika Noni Rose (Princess Tiana, âThe Princess and the Frog")
- Ray Watson (served the company for 30 years and established a worldwide reputation as a real estate development visionary)
- Guy Williams (âThe Sign of Zorro" and âZorro the Avenger")
- Jack and Bonita Wrather