From ‘Miss Saigon’ to Miss U
LEA SALONGA in concert in Arizona last Sept. 3. CASH IMUTAN
The day Lea Salonga was baptized, a fortune-teller looked at the baby’s feet and predicted that she would become Miss Philippines, her mom Ligaya recalled.
In spite of the misplaced geography, the singer-actress somewhat fulfilled the prophecy when she made waves as “Miss Saigon” in the West End in 1989 and on Broadway in 1991.
This year, she’s revisiting the prediction again, having been named one of the judges in the 60th Miss Universe pageant, to be held at the Credicard Hall in São Paulo, Brazil, tomorrow (Monday).
The fifth Filipino to serve as juror in the world’s top beauty contest (after Carlos P. Romulo, Kuh Ledesma, Josie Cruz-Natori and Emilio Yap), Salonga is in the middle of a US concert tour.
Billed as “Tony award winner and actress” in the pageant web site, she joins broadcaster Connie Chung, racer Helio Castroneves, actress Vivica Fox, model Isabeli Fontana, reality star Adrienne Maloof and Miss Universe 2003 Amelia Vega on the panel. In the two-hour televised show, the judges will score contestants from 90 countries, including the Philippines’ Shamcey Supsup, in three categories – swimsuit, evening gown and interview.
Lea asked her Facebook friends for tips on the Q&A portion. One suggested the topic “global economic recession”; yet another, the “debt crisis.” Her suggestion: How about pageants and feminism?
She took this e-mail interview in the wee hours, after a concert with Jim Brickman in Highland, California. She’ll be back in Manila on September 19, she told us.
How did you get the Miss U gig?
An invitation was sent to my manager, David Belenzon. He admits to staring at it for about an hour before finally telling me. It was a no-brainer… we accepted right away. It feels pretty darn cool to have been invited! I’m hoping I do a good job at it.
How are you preparing for it?
I do have a few things to read over before I get on the plane (judging guidelines and such), so I won’t be sitting there not knowing what to do. I just did a show tonight so my brain is sort of fried. I’ll go through the documents in the morning.
What are you looking for in a Miss Universe winner?
Besides incredible physical beauty, I’m looking for intelligence, charm, confidence and an actual personality. I don’t want a vacuous Barbie doll, I want substance.
What is your idea of a beautiful woman?
My ideal woman would possess strength of character. Ideally, the Miss Universe winner would have that, too. She has to be incredibly patient to fulfill her duties, someone with the sense of humor to let things slide off her back, should something go wrong. Think Miriam Quiambao after she slipped onstage.
Weren’t you supposed to be a judge when the contest was held in Manila in 1994? But your mom said you were too young then, the same age as the contestants.
I can’t remember. But yeah, my mother did have a point. I wouldn’t have been that objective. I think with age, I’ve grown more, and can now be more discerning.
How has your notion of beauty changed through the years?
I’m finding gray hair on men sexy. I wouldn’t have thought that 15 or 20 years ago. Aging with grace is something incredibly attractive. It’s stopped being all about “pretty.” You’d better kick some serious ass.
How will you make sure that you will be totally objective in judging the Philippines’ bet?
It’s actually not that hard. I make the immediate presumption that all these ladies are already gorgeous. It’s what comes out of their mouths and how they carry themselves that will separate the good from the bad. And I’m going to be tough on these women. It should be interesting if Miss Philippines lands in the final five and picks me to ask her the question. Very, very interesting.
Do you have a favorite Miss Universe winner?
I love (Thailand’s) Porntip Nakhirunkanok (Miss Universe 1988). She was classy, smart, gorgeous, incredibly poised. Her eyes said so many things, and when she spoke, oh wow, she was smart.
What are your memories of the pageant while growing up?
I remember just seeing it on TV. Bob Barker was the host every year, and he was just charming and disarming. I loved watching him as much as the evening gowns, hoping that the girls didn’t trip on the hems or stumble in their high heels.
Is this your first time in Brazil? What are your plans for this trip?
The only ones going will be me and my manager David. My family will be in Manila watching on TV.
Will you sing or just judge at the pageant?
Just judging. Brazilian artists will be providing the live performances.
What are your current projects? Future projects?
Right now, I’m in the middle of a concert tour. I have concerts with the Indianapolis Symphony to celebrate the music of Boublil and Schonberg called “Do You Hear the People Sing,” a benefit comprised of Filipino Broadway artists celebrating the music of Stephen Sondheim, and “The Colors of Christmas” tour in parts of the US and Canada. Too much fun to be had!
How’s the concert tour going?
The tour has been going really, really great! Jim Brickman is so funny! Great guy.
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