- Title: Singer of Disney's Christmas ad says message is of 'self-love'
- Date: 4th November 2022
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (NOVEMBER 2, 2022) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. ACTRESS AND SINGER, JESSICA DARROW, SAYING: "She's singing about being scared of all of these new things that are coming in and having to draw on the strength that she knows she's got deep down inside of her. But at the same time, the lyrics kind of, for me, feel like it's talking about drawing that self-love."
- Embargoed: 18th November 2022 10:35
- Keywords: Christmas 2022 advert Disney Jessica Darrow
- Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK / UNKNOWN FILMING LOCATION / ANIMATION
- City: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK / UNKNOWN FILMING LOCATION / ANIMATION
- Country: UK
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Europe
- Reuters ID: LVA004668203112022RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Walt Disney Co released its Christmas 2022 advert on Wednesday (November 2), featuring an animated family welcoming the arrival of a new member during the festive season.
The advert's melodic soundtrack "A Little More" was voiced by U.S.-Cuban actress and singer Jessica Darrow, who said felt surreal to work on another Disney musical production following her appearance in the Oscar-winning 2021 animated film "Encanto".
Titled "The Gift", the advert showed the youngest member of the family Ella adjusting following the reveal that her mother is pregnant.
"It involves a lot of changing of family dynamic and having to deal with life's challenges," Darrow told Reuters on Wednesday.
"It was a great fit because this year's advert involves a little sister who's about to become a big sister, very similar to the character that I play in 'Encanto' - Luisa."
As well as voicing the character in the Latin American fantasy musical film, Darrow sang Encanto's soundtrack "Surface Pressure", which reached the top 10 charts in Britain, the United States and Ireland.
"What was so brilliant, I think, of Disney to use a Latino family to showcase all of these different types of personalities," said Darrow, who is of Cuban descent and grew up in Florida.
Speaking of her fondness for the Latino Christmas traditions of family feasts and gift-giving on Noche Buena, Darrow said she was supported by her family and community and advised anyone going through hardship to ask for help.
At a Disney Christmas market event in central London, many of the new products related to "The Mandalorian" and "Black Panther" were on display on Wednesday ahead of opening to the public.
On Tuesday (November 1), U.S. subscribers to the Disney+ streaming service were be able to purchase new Star Wars lightsabers, Black Panther masks and other merchandise starting, a week ahead of the general public, Walt Disney Co said in statement.
The company described the offering as a limited test of an additional benefit for streaming customers looking to grab coveted products created for the holiday shopping season.
(Production: Ben Makori, Vin Shahrestani) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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