I have to admit when I first watched Disney/Pixar Coco, I liked the film. However, it wasn’t one of my favorite movies until now I had an opportunity to have dinner with the star the film, Anthony Gonzalez (voice of “Miguel”). He is one of the most charming people, I’ve met.
One of the fun activities we where blessed to do during the #BlackPantherEvent enjoyed an authentic Mexican dinner on Los Angeles’ historic Olvera Street in honor of the in-home release of Disney/Pixar’s COCO with special guest Anthony Gonzalez.
Although I live in Los Angeles, it’s been years since I visited this location and it was a treat to check out the shops and I even found a cute sweater for my daughter Joy.
During our dinner, we were entertained by a wonderful mariachi band, dancers and Anthony Gonzalez performed several songs for us.
After his performance, Anthony chatted with us for a bit where I learned some beautiful fun facts about the young star.
Here 5 fun facts about Anthony Gonzalez
How did he get started in acting?
“Well actually it all started with singing. So I started doing street performances, I started singing here. And also my older sister auditioned for like reading in Spanish on this television show called Univision. And she started reading books in Spanish there and then my other sister started doing reading books in Spanish as well. And then my brother started doing it and it all came out Thursdays in the morning at six AM on channel thirty-four Univision. And then well I would just see them on the TV reading books and I wanted to do it too. So the reason I’m here because of my older brothers they inspired me, they inspired me to sing, they inspired me to do things I never thought I would do without them. And well I started reading books in Spanish as well, like when I was four years old. And one day, when we were reading books in Spanish, a director came to the show and she told my parents, she thought we’d be very good actors, because she saw how we would do our facial expressions and everything.”~Anthony Gonzalez
How does he identify himself with his character?
“Well, when I first went to audition for Miguel, I really wanted to do this role because well I identified myself so much with him. And that is because we both have this passion for music. I grew up with music, singing with my brothers here in La Placita Olvera. And just to be part of a movie where I can sing because I’ve been doing that since I was four years old, is amazing. So that’s one way I identify with Miguel.
Another way I identify myself with Miguel is we both know how important our family is and we know to really do our traditions. Just like Miguel’s tradition is to celebrate the Day of the Dead. And I actually have celebrated the Day of the Dead as well because my grandfather- my grandfather passed away when I was six years old, but well in the Day of the Dead it was a chance for me to be with him again and connect with him. And that’s another way me and Miguel connect.”~Anthony Gonzalez
What was your favorite scene from the movie?
“I have a lot of favorite scenes. One is like I love all the scenes where Miguel is interacting with Mama Coco, I think that’s just so sweet, like I used to go like this and now we’re like this which is way faster, I love that. I also love when Mama and Mama Imelda agrees to tell give Miguel his blessing. But the only condition is that he can never play music ever again, and then he says okay. But then right when he goes back he gets a guitar and then he goes straight back to Mama again.
And another one I love is when Miguel is getting ready to sing Poco Loco and then Hector teases him about the grito and then the first time he tries it, he does horrible but then when he does it on stage, he nails it.”~Anthony Gonzalez
How does it feel to be a Disney’s voice?
“Oh my gosh that’s just like a dream come true, that’s an honor, because I grew up watching these Disney movies, like Toy Story, I have the Woody toy and I have like a Buzz Lightyear blanket and just to be part of Disney Pixar movie is a big deal and at my age it’s just a dream come true. And all I can do is just thank god for all the blessings he’s given me.”~Anthony Gonzalez
What does he hope other kids take from this film?
“That the Day of the Dead is not like Halloween, it’s a time for a celebration, it’s a wonderful celebration that anyone can celebrate. Because it’s a day where you can connect and really remember your family members that passed away. And that’s what I hope that people take away from the movie. “~Anthony Gonzalez
Disney•Pixar’s “COCO” Available on HD, 4K Ultra HD™ and Movies Anywhere on Feb. 13th & 4K Ultra HD™ & Blu-ray™ on Feb. 27th.
About Coco
Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history. Directed by Lee Unkrich, co-directed by Adrian Molina and produced by Darla K. Anderson, Disney•Pixar’s “Coco” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2017.
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