Lea Salonga’s Uncomfortable Fan Encounter Is an Important Reminder: Respect Boundaries
Jul 17, 2023 • Edgardo Toledo
Jul 17, 2023 • Edgardo Toledo
Who doesn’t want to see their favorite artist in person? Many of us have dreams of it in our sleep! But music icon Lea Salonga gave everyone a masterclass on how to handle awry fan interactions and why people should learn to respect everyone’s privacy, including celebrities. Here’s what happened:
Lea Salonga is undoubtedly among the many household names in the entertainment industry. She was the voice behind iconic Disney princesses such as Mulan (Mulan) and Princess Jasmine (Aladdin). She’s also a Tony Awards winner for her role as Kim in Miss Saigon in 1991. It’s no wonder why people instantly go into fan mode at the littlest sight of her in public.
But this now-viral video of Lea with some fans showed another side of fan interactions that can overstep an individual’s privacy.
If your are really a fan then give her a space.
Pero naging considerate pa din ang isang @MsLeaSalonga at pinagbigyan naman un request ng fanneys.
🎥Cristopher Retokelly Carpila pic.twitter.com/L4heb6lT3T
— Madam Beki Not Vidanes❤️💙💚 (@MadamWanderBeki) July 16, 2023
“Hi, Miss Lea. Can we take pictures with you?” a fan asked while holding a camera inside Lea’s dressing room.
“Unless you’re on the guest list, we cannot have you back here. So, you’ll have to go to the door. I’m sorry because if I allow this now, then other people are gonna take advantage.” the 52-year-old singer added and went on to say explain that she’s being strict for her security.
“My friend, G. Toengi, we are the co-producers of this show,” another fan said, but Lea reiterated they couldn’t let them stay inside.
Despite what happened, Lea told the fans to wait away from her dressing room. She still agreed to a quick photo opp, but the award-winning singer reminded them not to pull this kind of act again.
The video uploader is Cristoper Retokelly Carpila, who wrote a lengthy post on Facebook about his encounter with Lea.
“Bahala na po kayo humusga,” the post reads. Carpila then detailed his side of what happened, saying, “Itong video na ito ay part 2 na (eksena sa dressing room). Ang part 1 ay naganap right after the show sa baba ng entablado na ang naiwan na lang ay iilang staff bago kami nakapasok (sayang hindi ko nakuhaan ng video ‘yun dahil nga sa sobrang kilig at excitement).”
Well, we’ll let you read the rest because there’s too much going on with his post.
While most interactions between artists and their fans get heartwarming responses, this one received an outpouring of frustration from netizens. “My gosh! Kahit local or city production lang yan sa Pilipinas bawal talaga pumasok sa dressing room,” one user wrote.
Pero bakit kasi nakaabot sila backstage? They probably name-dropped. My gosh! Kahit local or city production lang yan sa Pilipinas bawal talaga pumasok sa dressing room. Tapos yung mga Pinoy sa audience were also trying to find their way sa dressing room. Where did etiquette go?
— ctrl_alt_wil 💗 (@CtrlWil) July 16, 2023
More people aired similar sentiments, stressing true fans of Lea won’t ever invade her privacy because they know how to respect boundaries.
With all these Lea Salonga dressing room fiascos, all I can say is Lea’s true fan wouldn’t dare to do what those people did!
All these years she taught us how to respect her boundaries and have a so-called etiquette!😉— Jojo (@mojojo151) July 16, 2023
Meanwhile, others shared how accommodating and sweet Lea is to her fans, stating, “See? This is the Lea Salonga when you’re at the right place.”
See? This is THE LEA SALONGA when you’re at the right place.👍 https://t.co/tku371l3Xn
— ligaya (@chonagine) July 17, 2023
Anyone following Lea knows she always keeps it real. “Just a reminder. I have boundaries. Do not cross them,” the singer posted on Twitter. She shared that none of the Here Lies Love cast have been to her dressing room.
“So, who is anyone else to want to invade my space? Make it make sense!”
Just a reminder… I have boundaries. Do not cross them. Thank you. https://t.co/LVziX55lDf
— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) July 17, 2023
Lea also pointed out that G. Toengi (who was mentioned earlier in the viral video) doesn’t know the people who dropped by her dressing room.
I checked in with G after this happened….. she had no idea who they were.
— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) July 16, 2023
It’s 2023, and all we have to say is this: if you think you have a say in a celebrity’s life just because they’re a public figure, then you probably have no business to be part of their circle because that’s now how a true and well-mannered fan behaves.
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Edgardo loves to write. When he's not busy staring at a blank document, you can find him drawing illustrations or eating fried chicken.
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