20 years ago I was a little 7 year old girl in love with the Disney Princesses. I remember watching Little Mermaid, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty and just being drawn to those classics. When Beauty and the Beast was released into theaters, I was instantly drawn to it – the bright colors, the fun characters and songs and of course, Belle. At the time, I was obsessed with reading and I remember loving Belle for her love of reading and adventure. She was also the first brown haired and brown eyed princess and being the same, I loved that. She was everything I wanted a Princess to be and everything I wanted to be.
We own Beauty and the Beast on Blu-ray and I remember how excited I was to sit down with my son and introduce him to one of my favorite movies. Just like me, he was enchanted with the movie and wondered why our plates weren’t coming to life.
20 years later, Beauty and the Beast is coming back to the big screen in 3D. I can’t wait to see it in theaters again in all its glory.
This week I was able to participate in a group interview with Paige O’Hara, the voice of Belle. That’s right, I got to spend some time talking to Belle on the phone! Talk about a childhood dream!
Paige O’Hara is a woman who does it all. Not only has she been the voice of a Disney Princess for the past 20 years, she has appeared on Broadway, in operas and other concerts and is a very talented artist.
Paige told us about when she first found out she was going to be the voice of Belle. She had auditioned 5 times and was excited and thinking she was going to get the role. It turned out to be a magical week for her because she got engaged on her birthday and the next day she found out she got the role, which was a “life-changing experience.”
When asked what was her favorite part of doing an animated movie, Paige said she loved that they let them create and there wasn’t a time clock. Normally, you’re in a booth by yourself, but Paige was allowed to record in a booth with Robby Benson {Beast} and create the relationship together. Paige stated the “whole creative process was just something that I have never experienced before or after that movie.”
Paige also relates to Belle quite a bit, particularly the part of her that felt out of place and odd. Paige shared, “I’ve always loved books and I’ve always loved that side of her wanting…I really wasn’t looking for a man. She wants to enjoy life and that’s Paige as a teenager, wanting to go to Broadway and experience, travel around the world with my career.”
Beauty and the Beast is certainly a classic Disney movie and was actually the first animated movie to be nominated for an Oscar. When asked if she thought that Beauty and the Beast would become the classic it has, she said, “I knew it would be special but I didn’t really think it would be the classic that it turned out to be until we went to the film festival in New York. And it was right before the film opened and it was a special premiere where it was about 60 % completed and the rest was hand drawn, and coming from NY as a Broadway actress, I know how tough the audiences are and how tough the critics are, and after the film — first of all they laughed and applauded through the whole movie, but then after the film there was a 10 minute standing ovation from the toughest critics in the world. And I thought, ‘Wow, ok, this is something beyond what I ever comprehended it would be.’ And so I sort of knew then it was going to be a classic.”
Paige found out that the film was nominated for an Oscar and that she would also be performing the song ‘Belle’ on stage. She was nervous but she “kicked into my Broadway gear and I was fine. It was amazing. It was scary.”
Paige’s favorite scene in the movie is where Belle and the Beast are playing in the snow and her favorite song is actually the one she didn’t sing in the movie, which is the title song Beauty and the Beast which she thought was “just one of the greatest moments in film-making.”
Paige has been the voice of Belle for over 20 years. In addition to voicing her in Beauty and the Beast, she also voiced Belle in the sequels ‘Belle’s Magical World’ and ‘Enchanted Christmas’ in addition to interactive toys, CD-ROMS and Leapfrog toys. When asked how it feels to be identified with a character she has played for so long, Paige shared the story of when she was meeting a group of little kids. She walked in the room and a little girl asked where her ball gown was. Paige then sat down and started reading the story of Beauty and the Beast in Belle’s voice and “all of a sudden I had like 150 kids around me and it was like, it was timeless, it was like 20 years just didn’t matter. It really was a remarkable thing. I felt like the Pied Piper.”
By now, Paige O’Hara is firmly a part of the Disney legacy. Not only was she inducted as a Disney Legend last year at the D23 Expo, but she also signed on to create artwork with Disney Fine Art. She offers up a series of original paintings depicting her favorite scenes from Beauty and the Beast.
The picture below is one of Paige’s paintings – note it’s from her favorite scene in Beauty and the Beast! I love how it’s capturing that moment of Belle falling in love with the Beast.
Here are some other fun things from the interview with Paige:
– 20 years ago, the initial drawings of Belle were a little too perfect. They adjusted her look to be a more European but to also be more identifiable to young people, making her the first brown eyed princess with brown hair.
– Paige think that she should consider starting a blog. She’s terrible about that sort of thing, but has had a lot of friends bring it up.
– She thinks that the Broadway version of Beauty and the Beast did a wonderful job of it.
– Mary Poppins had a huge effect on Paige and Julie Andrews is one of the reasons she went into theater.
– One of her favorite songs from the movie is ‘Human Again’ which was cut from the theatrical versions.
– Paige’s advice for aspiring singers is to get proper training so you sing correctly and to make sure you find someone that you connect with and can bond with.
– Paige is currently starring in Menopause the Musical in Las Vegas. She’s playing the character of a bratty soap star, someone who is totally self-indulgent and neurotic – the complete opposite of Belle!
– She’s currently working on a musical about the life of Judy Garland. This is her dream role because Judy Garland was her idol growing up, her favorite actress and singer.
It was such an amazing experience to talk to Paige O’Hara and learn more about her accomplished career. Make sure to like the Paige O’Hara Facebook page and also Beauty and the Beast on Facebook!
Beauty and the Beast is in theaters on January 13th, 2012!
Wendi B ~ Wendi's Book Corner ~ Rainy Day Reads (And More) In Seattle says
What an amazing experience, both that you got to be included in the phone interview, and her whole experience! I had no idea she was so talented with her paintings as well – beautiful. LOL – and my kids will be ecstatic to know that she really did voice the Leapfrog books! Wow!
I still remember watching Beauty and the Beast over and over when it came out, and I can’t wait to go see it in 3D. 🙂
Crystal @ Surviving a Teacher's Salary says
Oooh just reading this gave me the chills – how inspiring and what an awesome opportunity for you! I absolutely love Broadway and it doesn’t surprised me at all that the star of one of Disney’s most loved films is a Broadway star! How incredible! Thanks for sharing this interview!
Miz says
we adore adore adore all things belle in this household.
what a cool and exciting opportunity and post!
Carla
Kerri O says
I so love that movie. Great interview, how fun!
LeeAnn says
What an awesome experience! I always think I can tell in animated movies if the characters do the voices alone, or all together. I really think it makes a difference.
We saw Beauty and the Beast in 3D last weekend and LOVED it!
Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney says
Reliving the classics is really a wonderful experience. I bet most of us adults who knew Beauty and the Beast as a kid are excited to introduce this Disney classic to their children as well. Disney never runs s out of magic, and this one is surely one of their most timeless.
Tami says
Nice job on this interesting interview!
I got goose bumps when she sat down to read the book in Belle’s voice, and the kids flocked over to her 🙂
Kasandria Reasoner says
What an amazing interview!!
Kas
Hanan says
So cool you got to interview her, I LOVE Beauty and the Beast!!!!