Filipino American Artists Earn Top Music Awards

New York City, June 8, Filipino-American artist, Nicole Scherzinger won the highly anticipated Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her Broadway debut portrayal as Norma Desmond in “Sunset Boulevard.” Born in Hawaii and raised in Kentucky, Scherzinger is the daughter of Alfonso Valiente, who is of Filipino descent, and Rosemary Elikolani, a Native Hawaiian with Ukrainian ancestry.

In her acceptance speech, Scherzinger thanked the Tony Awards “for making this little Hawaiian-Ukrainian-Filipino girl’s dream come true.” “Growing up, I always felt like I didn’t belong, but you all have made me feel like I belong and I have come home at last,”

“So if there is anyone who feels like they don’t belong or your time hasn’t come, don’t give up. Just keep on giving and giving because the world needs your love and light more than ever. This is a testament that love always wins,” she added.

In the same stage at Radio City Music Hall, Darren Criss took home his Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical “Maybe Happy Endings,” for his portrayal of Oliver, a decommissioned android awakening with emotion. Criss thanked his mother, Cerina Bru Criss who is from Cebu City, Philippines. On his heritage, Criss is proud of his Filipino roots saying during an interview in 2020.

“Anyone who is biracial can attest to this: No matter how much or how little they look like their respective mix, it’s a constant work in progress. I’ve always been proud of my heritage, of being Filipino. Just because people don’t see it, doesn’t make it any less real to me.”

Recall how alongside fellow award-winning artists of Filipino descent, Criss performed with Tony Award winner Lea Salonga, Lou Diamond Phillips, the Black Eyed Peas’ Apl.de.ap and many other artists for a benefit concert for victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, After the Storm, at Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center on June 15, 2014.

In Washington DC, Filipino-American rapper and songwriter, Ruby Anne Ibarra, performed her original songs as NPR’s 2025 Tiny Desk Concert winner. “Bakunawa” (in Philippine folklore, a serpent dragon) tells of her cultural heritage and her family’s experience as immigrants to the United States from the Philippines. “Mama will make it in America,” she repeats in a song titled “7000 Miles.”

We congratulate Nicole Scherzinger, Darren Criss, and Ruby Ibarra on their awards, a testament to their commitment to their craft, perseverance, and excellence in the American stage.

US-Philippines Society