Lea Salonga joined the cast of As the World Turns in March 2001, in the role of Lien Hughes. Lien is the daughter of Tom Hughes and a Vietnamese nurse. Lien dated Andy Dixon for a while and was lovers with Duke Kramer. The role was previously played by actress Ming-Na Wen who is now on ER. Currently, Lien is involved with Dr. Ben Harris . She also has a heart problem but is keeping it from everyone. The only person who knows is her step-mother Margo.

Salonga made her theater debut at the age of seven in Repertory Philippines The King and I and has since appeared in Annie, The Sound of Music, The Goodbye Girl, Paper Moon, The Fantasticks, Les Miserables, My Fair Lady, Into the Woods, Grease! and They're Playing Our Song. She is best known for her portrayal of Kim in Miss Saigon, for which she received the Laurence Olivier Award for her performance in London, and the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Theatre World Awards for her performance on Broadway. Salonga recently reprised the role of Kim for Miss Saigon's final run on Broadway.

An accomplished recording artist, Salonga recorded her first album, Small Voice, at the age of ten. The album earned a gold record. She has also recorded the solo albums Lea Salonga, In Love, By Heart, Lea Salonga LIVE and The Christmas Album.

Salonga's film credits include singing the female lead roles in the Walt Disney animated features Aladdin and Mulan. On television, she appeared as Geri in Hallmark Hall of Fame's Redwood Curtain, and on PBS' Hey, Mr. Producer! and Les Miserables 10th Anniversary Concert.

Salonga, who was born in the Philippines, lives in New York City. Her birthday is February 22.