(Photo © 2021 Disney. All Rights Reserved)
In Disney’s latest animated feature Encanto every child in the Madrigal family gets a magical gift when they turn five years old – everyone except for Mirabel.
For a family who lives in a magical house in the mountains of Colombia where their gifts have the power to strengthen the community and heal others, being the only ordinary one isn’t easy.
Actress Stephanie Beatriz, who voices 15-year-old Mirabel, says she can relate to how her character feels.
“Mirabel doesn't have a gift, which I find extremely relatable, because there have been many times in my life where I felt like I didn't belong, I didn't measure up, I wasn't talented enough to be there, I had that sort of imposter syndrome,” says Beatriz, during a virtual global press conference.
The actress, who is best known for her role as Rosa Diaz on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, says she’s gained more confidence over the years by believing in herself.
“I also discovered by getting older, and working more and more on trusting myself, that I do have something to offer, and it is special, and I am myself.”
Even though Mirabel tells herself she is ok with not having a gift, the constant reminders of how extraordinary her sisters are and the constant jokes about not having a gift start to wear on her.
Beatriz says to portray this side of Mirabel, she brought the awkward parts of herself into the role.
“My anxiety, and honestly, like, my use of comedy. Often when I'm uncomfortable, or don't really know what to do, or how to handle a situation, I often turn to try to make a joke out of it, to make myself more comfortable, to make somebody else more comfortable.”
Even though Mirabel is the only ordinary member of the Madrigal family, when something threatens the magic of this charmed place known as an Encanto, Mirabel might be the only one who can save it.
Beatriz says she was given the freedom to improvise her lines – which made for some hilarious moments as her character heads out on an adventure to save the magic.
“There's some funny stuff when she's like, sort of by herself, which she's kind of trying to entertain herself,” says Beatriz.
“Because really, what's kind of crazy is in this big, huge family, Mirabel often is alone and depending on herself. And so, she kind of becomes her own sidekick and talks to herself a lot.”
Encanto, which features music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, also stars John Leguizamo as Bruno, Maria Cecilia Botero as Abuela Alma, Wilmer Valderrama as Augustin, Diane Guerrero as Isabella, and Jessica Darrow as Luisa.
Read More: How Lin-Manuel Miranda helped bring the colourful world of Encanto to life
See Encanto in Cineplex Theatres beginning Nov. 24 get tickets here
Starring
Stephanie Beatriz, John Leguizamo and María Cecilia Botero
Directed by
Jared Bush and Byron Howard
Release Date
November 24, 2021
Get tickets →
In Disney’s latest animated feature Encanto every child in the Madrigal family gets a magical gift when they turn five years old – everyone except for Mirabel.
For a family who lives in a magical house in the mountains of Colombia where their gifts have the power to strengthen the community and heal others, being the only ordinary one isn’t easy.
Actress Stephanie Beatriz, who voices 15-year-old Mirabel, says she can relate to how her character feels.
“Mirabel doesn't have a gift, which I find extremely relatable, because there have been many times in my life where I felt like I didn't belong, I didn't measure up, I wasn't talented enough to be there, I had that sort of imposter syndrome,” says Beatriz, during a virtual global press conference.
The actress, who is best known for her role as Rosa Diaz on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, says she’s gained more confidence over the years by believing in herself.
“I also discovered by getting older, and working more and more on trusting myself, that I do have something to offer, and it is special, and I am myself.”
Even though Mirabel tells herself she is ok with not having a gift, the constant reminders of how extraordinary her sisters are and the constant jokes about not having a gift start to wear on her.
Beatriz says to portray this side of Mirabel, she brought the awkward parts of herself into the role.
“My anxiety, and honestly, like, my use of comedy. Often when I'm uncomfortable, or don't really know what to do, or how to handle a situation, I often turn to try to make a joke out of it, to make myself more comfortable, to make somebody else more comfortable.”
Even though Mirabel is the only ordinary member of the Madrigal family, when something threatens the magic of this charmed place known as an Encanto, Mirabel might be the only one who can save it.
Beatriz says she was given the freedom to improvise her lines – which made for some hilarious moments as her character heads out on an adventure to save the magic.
“There's some funny stuff when she's like, sort of by herself, which she's kind of trying to entertain herself,” says Beatriz.
“Because really, what's kind of crazy is in this big, huge family, Mirabel often is alone and depending on herself. And so, she kind of becomes her own sidekick and talks to herself a lot.”
Encanto, which features music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, also stars John Leguizamo as Bruno, Maria Cecilia Botero as Abuela Alma, Wilmer Valderrama as Augustin, Diane Guerrero as Isabella, and Jessica Darrow as Luisa.
Read More: How Lin-Manuel Miranda helped bring the colourful world of Encanto to life
See Encanto in Cineplex Theatres beginning Nov. 24 get tickets here
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