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NBC Misidentifies Child Star During ‘Sesame Street’ Thanksgiving Parade As Broadway Icon Lea Salonga


NBC Misidentifies Child Star During ‘Sesame Street’ Thanksgiving Parade As Broadway Icon Lea Salonga

Salonga was also on the float, although the show’s title card had her name above child actress Olivia Perez.

Despite the rain pelting attendees in New York City, the first major gaffe of the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was not due to an influx of water, as NBC’s broadcast of the event incorrectly identified a child actress as Broadway legend Lea Salonga.

Shortly after the telecast, co-hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb introduced Salonga’s mid-parade performance of “Sing” along with the cast of Sesame Streetthe camera shows the stars on a giant chariot in the style of the children’s television show.

As the footage rotated Sesame Street Cast member Olivia Perez, NBC showed a title card that read “Lea Salonga,” even though Salonga – a Tony Award-winning actress known for her roles on stage – was not in the picture.

NBC NBC incorrectly identifies Olivia Perez (center) as Lea Salonga during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

NBC

NBC incorrectly identifies Olivia Perez (center) as Lea Salonga during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

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Eventually, Salonga, 53, was shown singing at the front of the car, with the title card returning to clearly identify her.

Weekly entertainment has reached out to NBC representatives for comment.

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On stage, Salonga has played a diverse list of characters throughout her career, including in productions of Miss Saigon, Les Miserables, CatsAnd This is where love lies. She also provided the singing voice for the title character in Disney’s popular animated film Mulan.

This year’s parade glitch comes a year after a broadcast glitch occurred during Cher’s televised performance of her new holiday single “DJ Play a Christmas Song,” during which a Christmas-themed visual glitch temporarily interrupted the broadcast.

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