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A juvenile actress was incorrectly recognized as Broadway star Lea Salonga by NBC’s coverage of the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which was the first big mishap of the event despite the rain that was falling on attendance in New York City.
The camera panned to the stars on a huge float inspired by the children’s television program just after broadcast cohosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb announced Salonga’s mid-parade performance of “Sing” with the Sesame Street ensemble.
When the camera shifted to Olivia Perez, a cast member of Sesame Street, NBC displayed a title card that said “Lea Salonga,” although the Tony Award-winning actress, who is most known for her theatrical roles, was not in the picture.
The title card ultimately reappeared to correctly identify Salonga, 53, who was seen singing at the head of the float. NBC reps have been contacted by Entertainment Weekly for comment.
Throughout her career, Salonga has performed as a variety of characters on stage, including in Miss Saigon, Cats, Les Misérables, and Here Lies Love.
Additionally, she contributed the vocals for the title character in Mulan, the acclaimed animated film from Disney.
One year prior, during Cher’s televised performance of her new holiday hit, “DJ Play a Christmas Song.”
The broadcast had a problem when a Christmas-colored visual disturbance momentarily disrupted the presentation. This year’s parade flub follows that incident.