28
The Broadway hotshot and two-time Disney princess opens up about her late 20s.
At age 28, she returned to Kim.
The part and songs were the same, but Salongas life was not.
(Their speaking voices were performed by Linda Larkin and Ming-Na Wen, respectively.)
These are films and pieces of music still being enjoyed by generations of young people.
Even when I’m 6 feet under, that music will live on.
Not unlike the heroines, she was embarking on her own coming-of-age story.
Up until then, I was always with my mom, says Salonga, whos now 51.
(And remember herguest-starring song inCrazy Ex-Girlfriend?)
She also guides emerging artists as a judge on the Filipino offshoot ofThe Voiceand on the Filipino app Kumu.
But, she teases, she has secrets of her own.
Below, Salonga talks about her late 20s, a TV crush, and the BTS Army.
What did life look like for you in 1999, when you were 28?
It was a rude awakening.
When did you miss your family the most?
But I would call her and ask, How do you cook this?
I remember asking aboutnilagaandafritada.
So it [felt] like she was there.
There was always a connection to her.
You were straddling multiple entertainment spaces, on Broadway, the West End, and in the Philippines.
Were you concerned about building roots?
Did you feel equally at home in those places?
If I’m not doing anything evil or bad, then this is who I am.
Just respect it even if you don’t like it.
How were you feeling about your life and career?
Personally, I was quite satisfied because I had an income!
I had my independence.
I mean, I got to be two Disney princesses!
[And that was] despite the lack of Asian representation.
So in that respect, I feel satisfied that I was a part of getting to this point.
Youmade history in your 20s.
How did you feel about being a trailblazer?
You’re thinking about the job.
I kept blinders on.
That was important to me.
I just enjoyed the moment because I didnt know if I was going to get another one.
If you could capture your mentality at 28 through a Disney song, what would it be?
Disney instills this idea of a fairy-tale romance.
At 28, youd recently broken up with your boyfriend.
What was your take on love?
Youve written aboutbeing a BTS fan.
Who were you a fan of in the late 90s?
Fangirling overBTS, I feel like a teenager.
I’m more on thetitaside, where they feel like my sons or nephews.
They’re wonderful and so fantastic.
But at 28, I was fangirling overFriends.
That was my devotional, my religion.
I was faithfully watching the series.
It was like, What is Phoebe wearing?
or What is Monica wearing?
or What isRachel wearing?
And [seeing] if there werepieces of [their] wardrobesthat I could emulate.
Did you have a crush on anyone?
My favorite wasMatthew Perry as Chandler.
What advice would you give your 28-year-old self?
Dont take life too seriously, and keep your sense of humor.
There will be plenty to laugh about as you go on in life.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
This article was originally published onApril 28, 2022
