The “Descendants: Wicked Wonderland’ (Descendants) explores the search for identity, which Kylie Cantrall, one of its stars, described in an interview with EFE as “discovering who you are beyond the expectations of your parents and society”—a concept she considers “timeless.”
“Descendants: Wicked Wonderland,” directed by Kimmy Gatewood, is the latest musical installment in the Disney franchise about the children of villains, and it takes the action to Wonderland.
Cantrall, who plays Red, the daughter of the Queen of Hearts, expressed her hope that the film, which premiered this month on Disney+, “will continue to inspire people to forge their own path and create their own destiny.”
The young woman, whose mother is Venezuelan, said that this time she was able to “grow with the character” and get involved in shaping her image.
“Producer Suzanne Todd and I were going back and forth with references for Red’s costumes; I’d send her Pinterest boards with ideas for the skirt and even for the hairstyles,” she said. They were looking, she explained, for a “crown of braids” that would combine the character’s warrior side with a “regal, princess-like” air.
‘Descendants: Wicked Wonderland’ and a World of Characters
For Kiara T. Romero, whose mother is Colombian and father is Puerto Rican, and who plays Hazel Hook, Captain Hook’s daughter, the key to the show’s appeal lies in the variety of characters.
“With every movie, you can find one that fits your personality,” he told EFE in Miami, adding that children “like to dress up as our characters” because “they see themselves reflected in one of us.”
He emphasized that this project is “a great group adventure” in which he hopes the Latino community will see itself reflected.
“I hope they see Latinos, that they see a little bit of themselves in us, and that they continue to dream big and know that anything is possible.”
“I always say: if you follow your passion and work really hard, anything is possible,” he concluded.
For his part, Alexandro Byrd, who plays Luis Madrigal, Luisa’s son, in *Encanto*, described Wonderland as a place that is “so fantastical” that “you never know what to expect.”
He illustrated this with a clip from the song “Mad,” which he described as “very different” from the world of the original trilogy, since the characters are chased by rosebushes shaped like flamingos—something that wouldn’t happen in the earlier films.
Regarding the songs, Cantrall said that “Once in My Life” really stuck with him, although he believes that “Perfect Princess” is the one that has resonated most with the audience.
Romero praised “Did You Hear About?,” calling it “very catchy” and, in her view, the only song in the film that pits the heroes against the villains—“the heart of *Descendants*.” She also highlighted “The Girl I Used to Be,” the duet by Brandy (Cinderella) and Rita Ora (Queen of Hearts).
According to Byrd, that song was the most moving part of the premiere: “I cried the first time I heard it,” Romero said, and he added, “We all cried—it’s incredible.”
Cantrall expressed his hope that the audience “will feel inspired to learn the dances” and that the film will bring families and friends together, according to Agencia EFE.
