ABOUT KRISTIAN LEI Vocalist / Entertainer / Producer Kristian Lei Enterprises & Honolulu Broadway Babies Kristian Lei is an all-around powerhouse. As a vocalist, entertainer, and producer, she is a woman with undeniable talent and indestructible determination that goes beyond all expectation. Her numerous awards, guest appearances, and accomplishments both locally and internationally are a testament to a career that knows no bounds and perseveres on faith, integrity, and genuine compassion. Kristian’s love for music grew on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, where a dynamic blend of her native Filipino culture intermingled with the wild west of Wai’anae. Inherently a quiet child, Kristian would wait for the right moment to sing with her two brothers behind closed doors, developing a natural singing voice that could belt out even the most impressive Whitney Houston songs. The moment Kristian perfectly imitated the voice from Disney’s The Little Mermaid, her family knew she was destined to make music a lifelong passion. Still, Kristian didn’t believe she was solo material. Always singing in the background, she rarely stepped forward as a soloist. It wasn’t until college that she was approached with the idea to audition for Miss Saigon. So humble in her musical upbringing, Kristian’s first response was, “What’s Miss Saigon?” At 19, Kristian not only earned the coveted lead role of Kim, she was brought to Europe to star in the German production. Being a true raw talent, Kristian was suddenly faced with the enormous task of headlining one of the most vocally challenging Broadway shows of our generation. With little formal training, Kristian endured the heartbreak of vocal exhaustion. Instead of discouraging her love for singing, this life changing experience strengthened her confidence and set her on a new path to dedicated practice and vocal instruction that continues to define her work ethic and teaching style to this day. More determined than ever to succeed as a stage performer, Kristian moved to New York City in 2001, but soon returned to Hawaii after the tragedy of September 11th brought Broadway to its knees. That same year, Kristian was invited to star in a Los Angeles benefit concert where she overheard the producers mention the idea of bringing the event to Hawaii. Initially thinking she would only help promote the show, Kristian was chosen to singlehandedly produce the entire event. Bringing together her love for entertainment with the dream of supporting developmentally challenged adults like her brother Joshua, Kristian founded the nonprofit organization Honolulu Broadway Babies (HBB) at the young age of 24. As Founder and CEO of HBB, Kristian has successfully produced numerous concerts featuring Broadway stars from all over the world and provided a platform for generations of young Hawaiian entertainers to spread their wings and fly. In 2005, Kristian was invited to return to her birth country of the Philippines to star in the national tour of Once on This Island. Experiencing firsthand her Philippine costars’ incredible passion for music, Kristian learned to perfect her performance by giving herself fully to her music and to her love for God. This acceptance of absolute faith forever changed her performance as she took to the stage as Tuptim in the Hawaii Opera Theatre production of The King and I. Soon after, she recorded her first solo album Take My Hand, garnering her the 2008 Na Hoku Hano Hanohano Award Nomination for Best Religious Album. The whirlwind success of HBB productions, headlining performances, and her newly released album motivated Kristian to seek more international opportunities. She soon found what she had been praying for when a chance encounter with a scout won her an exclusive audition with Hong Kong Disney. Giving the audition of a lifetime, Kristian was brought to the Chinese metropolis to sing the starring role of Princess Nala in The Festival of The Lion King. Her professionalism and commitment to exquisite work put her first in line to become the first Asian American to play Rafiki, which she played until 2010. Since her return to Hawaii, Kristian Lei has continued to perform and produce shows for thrilled audiences, captivating them with her show stopping pop, Broadway, and inspirational music. Recent honors include singing for the APEC Celebration for Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III and being voted one of Hawaii’s Ten Outstanding Young Filipinos of 2011. Kristian Lei release her new album On a Personal Note on March 9, 2013, with songs that bring her audience on a musical journey through her most precious life moments. Get ready to be amazed, as Kristian opens the door to a world far beyond the form of Kristian that most people know. “I have a different understanding of what my purpose is. I’m going to sing because I love you. And I love the gift, and I love God.” ~ Kristian Lei Visit www.KristianLei.com for upcoming events and exclusive interviews with Kristian Lei.