FIRST TIME HEARING Lea Salonga - On My Own (Les Misérables) | REACTION 

This is considered an iconic performance in musical theater history.

She had so much pressure on her as an Asian actress is this role. She said people were waiting for her to fail, so she would go out every night and sing this song perfectly. Hands down this is the standard for how this song should be done.

Her breakout role was the lead as Kim in Miss Saigon. I saw her perform in London in 1993 and I still have chills from it. ❤️

I think at least 5 million of the views were mine over the years. No matter how many times I watch (and sing along) the emotion is the same. This is simply the equivalent of an Olympian making it look easy. Lea is an absolute ICON. Great review. Les Miserables is pronounced "LAY miz-er-AHH-B" don't worry, we all had to learn. 🙂

Salvo trying to pronounce “Les Miserables” at the beginning of this video is the wholesome AF energy we all need right now 💖

Her performance always gives me chills, no matter how many times I listen. This performance is from the 10th Anniversary Concert, which is floating around RU-vid. While it’s not the exact staging you’d see in a theater, it’s a beautiful concert performance of the entire show. Well worth a watch!

She is 24 here. The most iconic female broadway singer in history.

the full tenth anniversary concert that this is from is on youtube! i totally recommend watching it, i love les mis :)

Les Mis is just insanely good - so much emotion in the story, characters, and songs.

Yeah, Les Miserables is a musical based on the novel by Victor Hugo. You're watching Lea Salonga from the 10th Anniversary Concert from 1995. It's fantastic. If you find the time to watch the entire concert, you won't regret it. Some other songs to check out: "I Dreamed A Dream," "Stars," "One Day More," "Bring Him Home," "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables"... The list goes on and on.

Not just natural born talent. Years of specialised training and practice, practice and PRACTICE to be able to deliver this Master Class performance. Just magnificent. Lea was 24 years old here. An inspiration to many.

I saw this play on Broadway in 1987 at the age of 16. Listened to the soundtrack the entire trip home. This is my absolute favorite musical and I can listen to this on repeat for weeks. My second favorite is Phantom and then Wicked. There may be others in there somewhere but these 3 jump out into my memory. Thank you Mr. Cotton, my Drama teacher in high school that introduced me to the wonderful world of musicals.

Saw her perform Kim in Miss Saigon back in Manila long time ago. She gave me goosebumps on how beautiful her voice is.

I still have this on a VCR tape when it was on PPS. She is always amazing. Oh this was the first musical I ever saw.

Great reaction. I saw Lea Salonga in the original production of Miss Saigon in NYC on Broadway was she was only 19 or 20 years old and I was blown away by that voice. Thank you so much for reminding me what an amazing voice this woman has. The was Miss Saigon in 1991 and was only 19 years old. You should react to the 25th anniversary concert of Miss Saigon movie in my mind with Rachel Ann going

Thanks for featuring the pride and treasure of the Philippines the Disney legend herself Ms Lea Salonga.. she is a respected versatile, stunning, wonderful and magical Filipino artists. She was only eighteen or nineteen when she sang the song " On my own" of Les Miserables. Up to the present even at over 50 she is still sings and performs amazingly.Thanks again and more of her performances please. God bless!!❤️❤️❤️🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭

Lea is a great storyteller and she as they say,."speaks in the right pitch"..❤️❤️❤️🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭

There is a full version this is the 10th. There is also the 25th she comes back and place a different character Fantine. Sings the song I Dreamed a Dream. It is amazing 🤩

This performance created my love for Broadway at 11 years old. Love her!

Now that you’ve discovered Lea Salonga, expect chills every time she performs. Keep on featuring her & see the numbers of your viewers spike.

She’s got some deep , rich tone to her voice. I can definitely feel “ warmth “ to the quality of her voice .

Lea Salonga won the Tony award at age 20 or so for playing Kim in the musical Miss Saigon. Your heart will break for her. It’s set at the end of the Vietnam War.

She originated the role of Kim in Miss Saigon in London in in 1990 and the went on in Broadway in NYC and won't the Tony for best actress for best in a musical Ia musical for Miss Saigon

Lea Salonga is one of the best Disney and Broadway singers.

Just lovely ❤️. Lea’s featured in a song on Pentatonix’s new Holidays Around the World called Christmas In Our Hearts ♥️

I've seen this musical 2x on Broadway and once in Toronto, it's my absolute favorite! I think it was PBS that aired a 25th anniversary special in 2010 that was very good stage production and probably avail on RU-vid.

My college choir went on tour my senior year and one of the places we stopped was NYC. We voted as a group to see Les Mis on Broadway. I was mad because I wanted to see something else. I knew nothing about Les Mis and I went to the show with my excited classmates fully expecting to hate it. Me bawling my eyes out starting about halfway through Act One pretty much all the way to the end. It. Was. AMAZING. Highly recommend watching the entire show.

Another outstanding song and singer from Les Miserables!!! You will love it! Ruthie Henshall - I Dreamed A Dream (Les Miserables 10th Anniversary Concert - Royal Albert Hall)

Something fun might be to watch the Aladdin 25 year reunion with Brad Kane (who did the singing voice of Aladdin) singing 'A Whole New World' on a morning talk show.

Been watching her sing Viva Dolorosa, it's just so perfect for her.

You should watch her performances from Miss Saigon. She was a teenager when she nabbed the lead for that premier musical.

Speaking of Disney, you have 3 new videos to watch as part of the launch of Disney+ here in the PH: A Night of Wonder. One video was by Zack Tabudlo, the other one was by Zephanie-Janella-Stell, and the grand finale by Morissette-Christian.

LOVE Lea Salonga ^_^ her performances are always amazing! This whole musical is filled with incredible music that touches your soul. Took my older brother to see this (who is an emotional rock) and he said it was the 1st show/movie that ever made him cry because the music is THAT moving!

I agree...her voice is truly amazing and pure.

Thanks for reacting

This whole show was phenomenal. This is from the 10th Anniversary show and at least for me it was the perfect cast for it. At the time it was called the "dream cast" and I really believe it was. It's far too long to react to, unless you did it song by song in small sections, but to understand the story you'd have to do it all in order. It's more reasonable to watch it on your own, though we'd miss the fun of seeing you see it for the first time. :) The whole thing is available here on RU-vid. If You DO decide to react to it either all at once or in small stages, do be sure to do it in order. there were other incredible performances from this night that people might try to get you to react to by themselves, but you won't understand the song with preceding context of the story most of the time. Edit: it's not from 2008 or 2009. It's 1996, before RU-vid was around or internet was even much of a thing. I do notice a lot of reactors make this mistake thinking the upload date is the release date. :)

What a great discovery - for me too. Thanks

Great reaction. You totally should check out more of Lea's performances. Lea (pronounced LAY-ah) started performing at age 7 in her home country of the Philippines. She had her first lead role at age 9 in ANNIE. Through her childhood and teens she did theater, film, tv, concerts and albums. At age 17 she was in first year college studying biology (planning on pre-med) when she was asked to audition for MISS SAIGON. The creators of the megahit LES MISERABLES had written a new musical called MISS SAIGON and looked all over the world for someone to play the lead role of Kim - a 17-year-old Vietnamese girl and "discovered" Lea in the Philippines. Lea starred in MISS SAIGON in London at age 18, won the Olivier Award at 19, starred in MISS SAIGON on Broadway at age 20 and won every major theater award including the Tony Award. Lea is the singing voice of 2 Disney Princesses (Jasmine "A Whole New World" and Mulan "Reflection"). Just a few favorite performances of Lea's that I'll recommend you react to (you'll see I'm a big fan of her duets): --Lea and Brad Kane recording the original "A Whole New World' for Disney's Aladdin in 1992 (Lea was about to turn 21). ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-pi_Ocd9IALc.html --Lea and Brad Kane reunited 23 years later to sing "A Whole New World" (Lea is 44). ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-TKzztvJeQjw.html --Lea and Rachelle Ann Go singing "Movie in My Mind" at the 25th Anniversary of MISS SAIGON in 2014 (Lea is 43). There was a MISS SAIGON revival happening in London and a special show after a performance for the 25th anniversary. Rachelle Ann Go is from the Philippines and was cast as Gigi in the revival (not the same role Lea played). The way they are singing the song here isn't exactly the way it is done in the show MISS SAIGON, but their own take for this concert - and it's amazing!: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bWys8rQ8EXI.html --Lea's audition for MISS SAIGON in 1988 at age 17. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wTm5yHJsnWg.html (Note: Lea's first audition was not filmed - this is a compilation of bits from a documentary of the making of MISS SAIGON and shows her callbacks as well. Weirdly, the last part of the video jumps way ahead to clips of rehearsals of the show in London. --Lea singing a Disney medley in a concert from 2000 (Lea is 29). Lea has sung a lot of different Disney songs in concerts over the years ("Let It Go" from Frozen, "Colors of the Wind" from Pocahantas, "How Far I'll Go" from Moana, "When You Wish Upon a Star" from Pinocchio, etc.) and I highly recommend them, but this is nice because it's three in one: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7Qep_FUksKk.html. --Lea and Regine Velasquez Alcasid (a huge star in the Philippines - I think she's the best-selling artist there) singing a musical medley. Ignore the bubbles - that was added by someone to avoid copyright strikes. This is from Regine's online concert for her 50th birthday raising funds for a Filipino charity. Regine asked Lea to sing with her (Lea is 49) and it's a big deal because these two stars have never sung together except once when they were both guests of another artist in concert. We are all still waiting for these two to sing live together!: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CiQS0hgrURk.html

Came here to see what inspired you to watch the whole show. I am so glad you are going on this journey and I’m looking forward to Part 3.

Lea is amazing. She killed it!

Beautiful.

I would love to see you react to other singles from this same show. Philip Quast has an absolutely amazing song that no one covers but he is incredible!

Lea is wonderful - her voice is emotional just to listen to, especially live. I shed tears every time. A different sort of theatrical voice, but if you're looking for people with powerful voices and excellent acting skills my other personal favourite is Raúl Esparza. Good starting points are either his Being Alive or Hallelujah.

I saw her twice over the past 10 years. The first time was a concert featuring just her. The second was a couple of years later with Il Divo. She was the best part of the show. She did a combined solo with both the Fantine and the Eponine songs. She was incredible.

I love this play!! There are 10th and 25th editions of the play that PBS runs periodically if you don't mind the breaks. There was also a movie done with actually fairly good casting (except for one character). It is well worth watching.

Lea got her start starring in the London production of Miss Saigon, which is fantastic. She won a Tony for it when it moved to Broadway. Ariana and Sia could take lessons from Lea about enunciation.

There is also a song that you should check out from this same concert/show! Michael Ball singing EMPTY CHAIRS AT EMPTY TABLES!

same feels as you, when ever i watch lea perform i have chills, you might also want to check her 'Via dolorosa' and 'don't cry for me argentina'.

that chills with tears, yeah thats what ASMR is based on bascially. when sound just resonates with you. Pure art when it's vocal opera.

There is a live stage version of "Miss Saigon" available, with Lea Salonga in the lead roll. Do find this and watch it - she is an astounding talent.

Seen the show over 40 times, for 2 years I was a chaperone for underprivileged kids, and got to see it from every angle, with multiple cast, I first saw it in LA in 1987, cried my eyes out, this song kills me… simply my favorite musical…every time I saw it, I cried, every time… and nothing tops Lea Salonga performing this song… perfection

If Lea came along ten years later, I firmly believe she could've had the movie role, and competed with Anne Hathaway and possibly win, the best supporting actress Oscar.

Bro!!!!!! your "tear control" is EPIC 😳😳😳😳

i think that shivery thing is a type of asmr.. that's what i'm going with through my misty eyes and goose bumps ! lol

Les Misérables! I saw it in person (Not Broadway) I have the original Broadway cast recording on CD. My other favorite is Phantom of the Opera CD with Michael Crawford, Sara Brightman and Steve Barton. Both are great.

@ 6:10 My man! it's OK to cry. I've seen this over 100 times and I've never not cried

There are several versions of the musical available. There were stages concert versions of the stage version, the 10th anniversary concert from 1995 (which this is from) the 25th anniversary in 2010, and a movie version with Hugh Jackman

You got class kid. That play has some of the best music ever written. Loved seeing it in San Francisco. The book, of coarse, is amazing. So glad they translated the book and the music and play into English. Yes kiddo you have to practice daily all your life and be borne with "it" to sound that good. You should hear the rest of the music and the other fantastic singers in the cast.

You should also react to her singing “I dreamed a dream” also from Les Miserables

Lea is pure gold!!!

Ironically this was her audition piece for Miss Saigon which was her breakout role.

Aww bless you, I watched this many times and it still gave me chills, Les miserablè, pronounced- Lay mizzer ra bler is my second favourite musical of all time, you should definitely check out more songs! But my favourite has to be “Phantom of the opera” you should check out Ramin Karimloo and Siera Borgess, absolutely the best! 🥰

Watch Miss Saigon because that is the start of her international career. It was shown in UK Royal theater. She was 17 years old when she did that show.

Pls, react also to her version of Don't Cry For Me Argentina, one of my favorites among her performances. Tks!

I'm a bit late to your discovery of Lea Salonga, but she is one of my favourite musical theatre soloists. I saw her in her breakout role of Kim in Miss Saigon and have been amazed by her ever since. I hope you looked into Les Miserables (Stage Musical adaptation of a classic of French Literature, which I am sure others have said), and have learned how it is pronounced ;-). For other material by Lea there are several amazing moments in Miss Saigon, including her confrontation with her betrothed at the end of Act 1. Re Les Miserables itself, Philip Quast's performance of Javert is fantastic, as is Colm Wilkinson as Valjean. Both worth a watch.

She's in her mid twenties in this performance (it was recorded in 1995). At the 20th anniversary performance of Les Miserable she played the other female lead Fantine and did just as wondeful a job. SHe was the original Miss Saigon on Broadway and her credits are astounding and well earned. Watch the entire show Les Miserable

She was never talking. She was singing the whole time lol

That feeling of shivers is called frisson.

Translation of Les Miserables is "The Wretches". It is based on the iconic novel by Victor Hugo. The title evokes the poverty, misery, and pathetic circumstances that lead the students and downtrodden lower-classes of nineteenth century France to a new revolt. Note: The action of the play begins in 1815 less than twenty years after the massacres of the French Revolution and beheadings of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinnette.

Oh please react to the whole show! Do nooooooot watch the movie version, watch one of the anniversary concerts. I think you'll love it.

Love Lea! I am curious to see your reactions to On My Own and I Dreamed a Dream by Anne Hathaway that won her the Oscar for the movie Les Miserables. Her performance makes me cry every time. Please react to that and Music Of The Night and Phantom of the Opera live at the Royal Albert Hall by Ramin Karisloo and Sierra Boggess. Another beautiful Broadway performance is Elaine Paige singing Memory from Cats. They will bring tears to your eyes bro!❤😥

There is a documentary about Lea auditioning for Miss Saigon. I tear up every time I watch this performance. This is from Les Miserables.

She was recently in a musical called Allegiance which is based on George Takei’s experience in the Japanese internment camps during WWII. It was filmed and released, and she sings a song called Higher which is amazing. Also as a side note, she became famous for starting in London and Broadway in Miss Saigon. She auditioned when she was 17, opened in London when she was 18, and won both the Olivier and Tony awards for the part. It made her an international star.

If you like theatre and Disney you should see Twisted from Team Starkid on youtube, particularly the songs If I Believed and Twisted

this post is much later than the performance!

This was the10th anniversary of Les Miserables at the Royal Albert Hall. These performers are most of the originals. This a wonderful performance of the play, one of my favorite stories. Please check out Ruthie Henshall also from this anniversay production "I dreamed a dream" along with Colm Wilkinson " Bring him home". Very moving.

Les Miz is a classic. Please, please watch it. It's essential if you like musical theater. When you said the story seems interesting, I almost fell over. 😂 It's a beautiful story. I watched the musical, the 10th anniversary concert, the movie (with Liam Neeson as Valjean, not the one with Anne Hathaway,) and read the book over and over but I still don't get tired of the story.

Please do a reaction to this show...Les Miserable! There's a movie version and the anniversary concerts to chose from (25th anniversary concert is the best!). I saw the concert first and was lost about what was going on...it's better to read a short background before watching the concert!! Hope I'll be seeing you do this!

She was born in Manila , in 1971. She’s 51

You should listen to her portrayal of Fantine and singing "I Dreamed a Dream" on the 25th Anniversary of Les Miserables.

She is the original Kim in Miss Saigon. Do the son I Give My Life For You.

Yes please movie in my mind 25tg anniversary

I’d recommend checking out Carrie hope fletcher she’s amazing! ( I say no from heathers/ I dreamed a dream from Les mis) Also the new production of cabaret on the west end!

I do suggest watching the movie, even if it not nearly as good as seeing a live performance. Les Mis can be better understood after watching the movie. There is more context that a tv production can add. Saying that, watch for a production to cone near you. Well worth it. To your question about if all plays have orchestras. If they are a musical, more than likely yes. There is an orchestra pit just in front of the stage. However some musicals, like Rent, in compass it on stage.

This was the 10th anniversary so it was in 1995 not 2008, she was about 24.... if u want another amazing performance from Lea, check out her performing "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" from Evita

You should watch her performances and disney song renditions. Also check her collab with Il Divo particularly "The Music of The night" and with Josh Groban where she sand The Prayer and All I Ask of You..

My eyes welled up with you.. I know exactly what you mean about how this music can make us feel.. Claude-Michel Shönberg was the principal composer of all the music that was used to adapt this novel (by Victor Hugo) into a musical.. orginally in French (you can find them here on youtube too)... my eyes well up for so many of the songs, my heart feels like it is going to burst out of my chest !! Look up Alfie Boe ft. Shönberg on piano "Bring Him Home"... not only is it another one that will give you goosebumps, it is extra special because the composer is there on stage , playing piano having his music sung by a terrific singer.. Trust me, you won't be disappointed ❤

This is from the 10th anniversary concert, in 1996. The video was just uploaded to RU-vid in 2009. She was only 25 years old

Actually a great singer actress will take you into her world. Her story. Talking technically you have to rise above the orchestra. Your voice have to be heard above all those instruments. That can be trained though others may have natural talent for it.

I think the word you were looking for is ‘evocative’. I am amazed that you say you love theatre, but you do not know the the play ‘Les Miserables’. Not sure when you recorded this, but it has been a smash hit on Broadway, as well as in London for over 25 years. The book was fantastic, and now there are many movies - including the most recent one starring Ann Hathaway, Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe. It is an epic story, of the plight of Jean Val Jean, and the poor, and the terrible justice system, (and, of course, man’s unfair treatment of women), in France in the 19th century. The original score was written in French. I have that soundtrack, and it is mind blowingly beautiful. Cameron’s translations are equally moving. Known among theatre folks as ‘Les Mis’ - pronounced as ‘lay miz ‘ in English, Les Miserable literally means ‘The Miserable’. I hope you have the chance to listen to the origin London stage track, with Colm Wilkinson as Jean Val Jean- the lead role. In the movie, he plays the Bishop.

This is from the twentyith anniversary concert of LES MISERABLES! You can call it LES MISS and people will know what you are refering to!

You should also check out her other iconic theater performance from the same composers: Miss Saigon. The revival version with the equally talented Eva Noblezada is also fantastic!!! Movie in My mind, last night of the world, sun & moon, and you will not touch him are all fantastic. LS also did a gender bent version of why god why.

Of course she gave you chills because she is a Filipina.

SORRY BUT I COULD NOT HELP TO SMILE / GIGGLE AT THE WAY YOU PRONOUNCED LES MISERABLES! BY THE WAY SHE IS THE ONE WHO SINGS WITH PENTATONIX - CHRISTMAS IN OUR HEARTS ....... WHICH YOU ALSO REACTED TO 4 DAYS LATER !!

I know exactly what you mean about the shivers. I cry at this song every time and there’s absolutely nothing I can do about it 😂 That happens with a lot of music for me To answer your question if it hasn’t been, Lea was about 24 y/o here.

If you can't see a live performance of Les Miz, watch the full 10th anniversary concert! It is still the best version with an amazing dream cast!!! The 25th anniversary is very good and Lea sings in that one as well but the 10th is the best. Skip the movie, it doesn't have nearly the emotional power of the concert!

Based on your reaction, I think you will like So Hyang too. She has a strong voice, but she is usually delicate.

I adore you so hardcore. I only “found you” yesterday, but I am all in, lol. I have a million suggestions, but because you mentioned being interested in musicals, I wanted to be bold and offer an entire show: “RENT.” It’s a musical from 1996, and it was a cultural phenomenon (much like “Hamilton”), but personally, it changed my life. It can also be found in its entirety here on YT: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CzlqzLkQRxc.html Keep up the good work, keep being you, and I’m looking forward to whatever you have coming up! (And finally, “Silver Springs” by Fleetwood Mac is low-key one of my favorite songs of all-time, so thanks for those two reactions 🙂)

I saw Les Mis recently in Londons West End for the 5th time! It's an incredible musical with many wonderful, moving songs. Attached is a slightly older Lea singing a song called 'I Dreamed a Dream' and it's followed by an incredible full cast performance of 'On My Own'. To any fan of musical theatre who has not yet seen the masterpeice that is Les Miserables, I suggest you get it on your bucket list! :) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wHdtwKCGzZU.html

if you want there's a Les Miserables movie that came out in 2012, it's very well made but very very emotional, so be prepared for that :). Lea isn't in it but the cast does a really good job with those epic songs