00:01Hello! You are party animals!
00:05Leia's got amazing family and friends!
00:10Hello everyone!
00:14You want to know what I love most about Leia?
00:18Her big, bright, gorgeous smile.
00:23Her smile just lights up a room at, well, in this case today, Hollywood Boulevard.
00:31Her smile radiates with so much love and warmth.
00:36You're all feeling that today, right?
00:40And boy, does she have a lot to smile about today.
00:43We all do.
00:47So, let's get down to business, shall we?
00:53I am so honored to be here today to celebrate you,
00:57the incomparable Leia Salonga.
01:00Leia, your talents have always been undeniable.
01:04In 1991, when you took Broadway by storm as Kim in Miss Saigon,
01:09yeah, and became the very first Asian woman to win a Tony for a performance.
01:18You were what?
01:1920 years old?
01:21Not even old enough to drink.
01:24And there you were, making history.
01:28I was just starting to gain some traction in my own acting career back then,
01:32and I remember thinking,
01:33wow, if Leia can succeed like that in this business, then it's possible for me too.
01:40I mean, not that I've won a Tony yet.
01:44But, you know, there's time, and I still made it to Broadway.
01:50And, you know, it was because of you.
01:52You were a big inspiration to me back then, even though you were a lot younger.
01:59And you are an even bigger inspiration to all of us today.
02:05Now, after winning your Tony, you weren't done with impressing us.
02:10First as the singing voice of Jasmine in Disney's Aladdin.
02:16And then we got to work together on Mulan.
02:22Well, not exactly together together.
02:26You know, it was more a figurative together.
02:28Because I was the speaking voice of Mulan, and Leia was her beautiful singing voice.
02:33And despite the two of us working on the same beloved character,
02:37we never actually worked together on Mulan, like in the same room.
02:43And that was the kind of thing for us for a while, right?
02:48I mean, we even shared the role of Leanne Hughes on As the World Turns.
02:52I portrayed Leanne for three years, and then Leia took over that role.
02:56You know, it's almost as if we were others' reflection through these characters.
03:06I'm glad you like that.
03:09I came up with that myself.
03:12Our careers have intersected, intertwined here and there over the past several decades.
03:18And I'm lucky enough to say that you and I have been friends for just as long.
03:24But I realize it's today.
03:27This is actually the first time that we are going to be on a stage together.
03:35In this vicinity of each other, finally.
03:40And how special that is the day I get to welcome you to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
03:52Leia, I am so very happy I can be here on your star day to sing your praises.
03:57No, no, no, no, not really sing, sing. I mean, come on.
04:01You know, that's for my sister there to do.
04:05Don't worry.
04:08So, who is that girl I see?
04:14Leia, you are someone fierce, beautiful inside and out, and determined.
04:19With a voice that soars into people's hearts, you sing with such honesty, passion, and you give every song your
04:25whole soul.
04:26I've seen you fill huge venues all by yourself like the rock star you are, but you've also found the
04:33time to open doors for young artists all around the world and have contributed to many, many humanitarian efforts.
04:39I know, and I hope you know, that your real legacy lives in the people you have inspired.
04:47The performers who found courage because of you, and the millions of fans who found joy in your music, and
04:55the communities who see themselves represented in your success.
05:01You have always given us your very best, and you do it with such class.
05:07Girlfriend!
05:09Leia, I am so proud of you. Congratulations on this very well-earned honor.
05:14Hollywood is brighter because of your star here today, and all of us are so blessed because we get to
05:22be a part of your world.
05:29So smile big, my beautiful friend, and keep being remarkable.
05:34I love you.
05:37Welcome to the neighborhood.
05:39I love you.
05:51Welcome to the neighborhood.
05:56Hollywood, one more time.
05:57Bye-bye!
