The Enchanting Transformation: Unveiling Ariana DeBose's Inspirational Journey as Her Wish Character
Wish's Asha draws from Ariana DeBose, enhancing the character with her unique persona and physicality, elevating the strength and appeal of the film
Summary
Jennifer Lee reveals how Arian DeBose inspired her when creating the character Asha in Wish, incorporating DeBose's personality and movement into the animation.
Asha possesses a serene and approachable demeanor, showcasing a heartfelt and nurturing disposition, which draws inspiration from DeBose's affectionate and expressive nature.
Disney's inclusion of DeBose's personal qualities in the character enables her to wholeheartedly infuse the role with her genuine warmth, amusing wit, and exceptional talent, thereby augmenting the overall performance and enhancing the narrative of Wish.
The CCO of Disney Animation Studios and writer of Wish, Jennifer Lee, discusses how Arian DeBose served as a source of inspiration for her when creating the character Asha. In Wish, Asha uncovers a hidden truth about King Magnifico, the ruler of her homeland, the Kingdom of Rosas. Desperate for assistance, she makes a wish upon a star, only to receive more than she anticipated. With the aid of her newfound companion Star, who possesses the power to grant wishes, Asha endeavors to forge a brighter future for her people, all the while combating the malevolent forces of the formidable King Magnifico.
Lee recently conducted an exclusive interview with Screen Rant for Wish, wherein she revealed how DeBose greatly influenced the development of the character Asha. She elaborated on how Asha embodies certain aspects of DeBose's own personality. Additionally, Lee discussed how DeBose's distinct movement style was integrated into the animation of Asha in the film. Below is Lee's full statement:
"In crafting the character of Asha, I found immense inspiration in Arian DeBose. Asha is, to some extent, an extension of DeBose's own captivating persona. Furthermore, we incorporated DeBose's unique movement style into Asha's animation, adding an extra layer of authenticity to the character. It was a truly enriching experience working with such a talented individual like Debose."
Jennifer Lee describes Asha as an open, expressive, warm, and compassionate person. She admires Asha's body language, which reflects her relaxed and inviting nature, as well as her passion for dancing. Asha's animation captures her lively and comedic personality, but it also reveals her deep caring nature and the difficulty of speaking the truth to loved ones. Observing Ariana's struggle and understanding her courage to stand up for those she cares about inspired the development of Asha's character.
Disney Incorporating Ariana DeBose's Personality & Physicality Into Asha Can Make Wish Stronger
With Walt Disney Animation Studios celebrating its 100th anniversary, Wish has a significant legacy to uphold. This film aims to pay tribute to its predecessors while staying current and innovative with breathtaking music. DeBose follows in the footsteps of esteemed actresses who have given voice to iconic Disney heroines, but she goes beyond lending her voice; she infuses her own essence into the portrayal of Asha.
By infusing aspects of DeBose's own personality into the character, she not only connects with Asha on a personal level but also grasps a deeper understanding of her. It appears that Asha's core traits, such as her compassion, willingness to embrace silliness, and silent strength, resonate with DeBose's own fundamental nature. By incorporating these qualities into Asha and using them as catalysts for her decision-making, Lee allows DeBose to be more emotionally exposed and vulnerable while recording her lines and songs.
Wish is the culmination of a century of magical storytelling. By strengthening the bond between the main character and the actress giving her voice, Disney has set DeBose on a path to success. This grants DeBose the freedom to infuse her heart and humor into the role completely. Drawing inspiration from her physicality will further enhance her performance, particularly during moments of comedy, singing, dancing, and when she delves into profound emotions. DeBose's remarkable talents in singing, dancing, and acting have already been proven, and incorporating each aspect into Wish will undoubtedly amplify both her performance and the overall story.
