Magic at Disney’s “Wish” Press Conference Magic at Walt Disney Animation Studios

In celebration of 100 years of magical storytelling, The Walt Disney Company celebrates beloved characters, big-screen adventures, unforgettable experiences and the fans and storytellers who made it all possible. Inspired by Walt Disney’s musical legacy, Disney Animation’s “Wish”—in theaters Nov. 22—features an original story and characters, with seven original songs penned by Grammy®-nominated singer/songwriter Julia Michaels and Grammy®-winning producer/songwriter/musician Benjamin Rice.

BURBANK, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 10: (L-R) Juan Pablo Reyes Lancaster-Jones, Chris Buck, Fawn Veerasunthorn, Ariana DeBose, Chris Pine, Jennifer Lee, CCO at WDAS and Peter Del Vecho attend a Photo Call for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Wish at Walt Disney Studios in [Hollywood], California on November 10, 2023. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)

To mark the occasion, Disney invited our very on Tashia Reed, Big Gold Belt Media’s California reporter for an exclusive visit to the Walt Disney Animation Studios. During this visit Disney held an Press Conference for the movie “Wish”. In attendance were Jennifer Lee (Writer/Executive Producer & Animation Chief Creative Officer), Chris Buck (Director), Fawn Veerasunthorn (Director), Peter Del Vecho (Producer), Julia Michaels (Songwriter), and Juan Pablos Reyes Lancaster Jones (Producer). Along with the press conference, Disney planned other fun activities including: Walt Disney’s Office Tour, On camera recording booth opportunity for the movie “Wish”, Learn How to Draw session with a Disney Animator session, and two standup opportunities: Front of the Walt Disney Animation Studio Building and WISH Art Display and photo location.

THIS WISH – Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Wish” introduces Asha, a sharp-witted idealist who makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force—a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star set out to prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen. Featuring the voice of Academy Award® winner Ariana DeBose as Asha, the all-new musical-comedy is helmed by Oscar®-winning director Chris Buck (“Frozen,” “Frozen 2”) and Fawn Veerasunthorn (“Raya and the Last Dragon”), produced by Peter Del Vecho (“Frozen,” “Frozen 2”) and co-produced by Juan Pablo Reyes (“Encanto”). “Wish” opens only in theaters on Nov. 22, 2023. © 2023 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

After expressing her excitement from the recent screening of the movie “WISH” just days before, at the Press Conference Tashia asked the cast about the importance of Asha’s character design:

What was the inspiration for Asha’s hair and is her hair braided or loc’d?

Juan Pablo Reyes Lancaster Jones: Well, they’re braids and cornrows. And it did come from inspiration. Asha has Southern European heritage, but also North African heritage from her mother’s side. And we learned that maybe her mother was the one doing the braids for her. And we did have an expert named Thressa who came in and helped the art department design her hairstyles all the way through modelling. So it’s something that came from the story and that we took very seriously.

Also check out a few photos from the Walt Disney’s suite of offices.