Julia Michaels Created The Theme Song For 'Wish' Before The Script Emerged

When Grammy-nominated songwriter Julia Michaels wrote the demo for ‘This Wish’ back in 2020, Jennifer Lee, the Chief Creative Officer of Disney Animation Studios, hadn't finished writing the script for ‘Wish.’ Lee affirms that Michaels' demo was crucial, saying it "defined the whole movie" and acted as the project's driving force even without a script.

‘Wish’, a Disney movie celebrating a century of storytelling, honours the celestial being that has granted countless wishes. In the movie, Ariana DeBose plays Asha, the 17-year-old lead character who lives in the magical realm of Rosas and is subject to King Magnifico, a new Disney villain played by Chris Pine. Rosas survives because of the aspirations and goals of its people. A fascinating journey involving themes of hope, joy, and the transformational power of dreams takes place when Asha inadvertently calls upon Star, an energizing figure from the sky.

Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn serve as directors, with the screenplay crafted by Lee, Allison Moore, and Buck. Julia Michaels and her songwriting partner Benjamin Rice are responsible for creating empowering and hopeful songs that play a crucial role in propelling the narrative.

Julia Michael’s on Crafting Her Songs

The ‘Welcome’ songs, such as ‘Belle’ from Disney's ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘Family Madrigal’ from ‘Encanto,’ set the tone and provide essential exposition. When writing ‘Welcome to Rosas,’ Michaels aimed to seamlessly integrate her work into the established Disney canon, crafting something that felt "quintessentially Disney."

Expressing her enthusiasm, Michaels notes, "I wrote this one the fastest because I was so excited. I wanted to sonically incorporate the world in which it lives, this Iberian, Greek, North African world."

The song aimed to embody Asha's affection for the city and its inhabitants, serving as the audience's initial glimpse into her character as a vibrant and intelligent young woman.

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Describing it as a "Sondheimian patter" song, DeBose emphasized the need for ample breathing room to navigate its complexities. She also acknowledged the presence of a Hispanic influence in the song, clarifying that while it resonates with Hispanic elements, it is not specifically an homage to ‘Encanto.’

To infuse her perspective into the performance, DeBose created Asha's alter-ego, Janet, the tour guide. While in the recording booth, Janet provided the necessary energy for DeBose to convey Asha's perspective on Rosas. The song serves as an exposition about the kingdom, its ruler, and the fate of wishes collected by Magnifico. DeBose highlights Asha's inherently nurturing and compassionate nature in the process.

–Farheen Ali