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The Filipino theater legend lets us in on how her wax figure is made, and how much having her own ‘double’ means to her
MANILA, Philippines — Lea Salonga is now immortalized in wax at Madame Tussauds Singapore!
The Filipino theater legend’s wax figure was unveiled at Solaire Resort in Parañaque City on September 14. It will become a permanent addition to the museum’s Music Zone starting September 20.
Lea Salonga’s journey from her role as Kim in Miss Saigon, which won her Tony and Olivier Awards, to her iconic performances in Disney’s Aladdin and Mulan, has established her as a prominent figure in musical theater. She was also the first Asian to play Éponine in Les Misérables.
Elaine Quek, head of sales and marketing at Madame Tussauds Singapore, said that a lot of thought goes into selecting their next wax celebrity icon.
“When we create a figure, we always consult the fans, trade partners, and ministry partners. For the Philippine market, Lea Salonga was the resounding choice. We want to recognize her success because she has been an inspiration to many people around the world,” Quek said.
Salonga’s figure was crafted for six months.
The art of crafting a legend
The process is an intricate labor of love. The Madame Tussauds team meticulously measured every aspect of Lea’s features — from the length of her arms to the fine details of her dimples and smile.
“We take detailed measurements to ensure every feature is identical, right down to the color of her eyes, hair, and teeth. We sometimes do X-ray scanning to get it very precise,” Quek said.
Lea’s figure is dressed in a stunning Rajo Laurel creation, a dress she has worn in numerous performances over the past decade. This choice of attire holds significant personal meaning for the singer, who fondly recounted its history.
“It’s one of my favorite dresses. I’ve worn it in concerts, corporate gigs, and performances in different parts of the world. It’s simple, comfortable, and always ready to wear. It felt right that this dress would live on with the wax figure,” Salonga shared.
Her figure’s pose was carefully chosen to capture her in action, ready to perform. “We wanted something that felt active as if she’s about to move, about to sing,” Salonga said.
I had the chance to see the wax figure up close, and it was incredibly lifelike. I jokingly told Lea, “I can feel her looking right through my soul,” which made her laugh. She replied, “Well, she’s much nicer because she doesn’t talk back.”
I initially thought wax figures were just static models, but I was surprised by the meticulous accuracy of the measurements. As a Filipino, I feel immense pride in seeing another of our own included in the Madame Tussauds roster.
Milestone for Filipino representation
Lea Salonga’s wax figure is another win for Filipino representation on the global stage, as Madame Tussauds Singapore said it will be expanding its collection to include more Asian icons.
For Lea, having a wax figure in Madame Tussauds is a dream. Reflecting on her childhood visit to the museum, she recalled: “I remember seeing Liza Minnelli, Henry VIII, Princess Diana, and so many others. It felt surreal that one day I would be here, too. My mom and I used to joke that maybe it would happen. And now, here she is.”
Other Filipino personalities who have their own wax figures at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong include Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach (unveiled in 2019), people’s champ Manny Pacquiao (unveiled in 2021), and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray (unveiled in 2023). — Rappler.com
