In the words of Gabrielle, dreams can come true – and so it proved for those waiting in freezing temperatures for the UK premiere of Wish on Monday night.
Disney fans were rewarded for their loyalty with a parade of local and international talent on the blue carpet as they celebrated the franchise’s new release outside the Odeon Luxe venue in Leicester Square.
Leading the glamor in central London, leading lady Ariana DeBose turned heads in a flowing purple gown as she joined Rochelle Humes and Julia Michaels on the blue carpet.
The 32-year-old actress completed her look with silver platform heels and stunning jewelry as she posed for the cameras.
Meanwhile, Rochelle, 34, looked elegant in a black satin dress with a daring thigh-high slit and strappy heels.
Gorgeous: The 32-year-old actress completed her look with silver platform heels and stunning jewelry as she posed for the cameras
The TV personality was joined by her daughters Alaia-Mai and Valentina Raine, while her husband Marvin Humes took part in I’m A Celebrity.
Julia showed off her incredible figure in a black skin-tight dress and completed the look with a pale blue satin shrug.
Claire Sweeney turned heads in a stunning semi-sheer midi dress with a nude bra underneath.
Jessica Wright stood out in a striking red dress with a daring thigh-high slit and matching gloves.
Helen Flanagan looked typically chic in a white silk dress as she walked the red carpet with daughter Matilda.
Dancing On Ice star Vanessa Bauer donned a shimmering blue dress with a plunging neckline as she turned heads.
Family: The TV personality was joined by her daughters Alaia-Mai and Valentina Raine while her husband Marvin Humes takes part in I’m A Celebrity
Incredible: Claire Sweeney turned heads in a stunning semi-sheer midi dress with a nude bra underneath
Sweet: The Dancing On Ice star was accompanied by her son Jaxon Reilly
Bold: Jessica Wright stood out in a striking red dress with a daring thigh-high slit and matching gloves
Mother and daughter: Helen Flanagan looked typically chic in a white silk dress and walked the red carpet with daughter Matilda
Ariana DeBose, who admitted she grew up as a “Disney kid,” takes on the voice of Asha in “Wish.”
She is a young girl who lives in a magical kingdom ruled by Chris’ King Magnifico.
He is supposed to fulfill the wishes of his subjects, but as Asha learns shortly after she takes over as his assistant, the king only fulfills the wishes of his own choosing.
In an effort to make things fairer in the kingdom, Asha goes rogue and wishes on a star, but ends up getting more than she bargained for.
Ariana previously said of the film: “Asha is magical.”
Wow! Dancing On Ice star Vanessa Bauer donned a shimmering blue dress with a plunging neckline as she turned heads
“And I think what I love about her is that she’s so selfless. Her wish is not for herself, but for everyone around her. Given the world we live in today, I think it’s a beautiful thing to have role models for young people.”
Ariana said that the story not only expresses a “wish for a star” but also contains many hidden bits and pieces from other Disney films, helping to celebrate their 100th anniversary in cinemas.
“One of the hidden gems is that Asha has seven friends, SEVEN friends,” she pointed out, “and they all have really, really cool personalities.”
She revealed that the film also features “seven beautiful new original songs.”
Ariana described Asha’s enemy, King Magnifico, as “an amazing Disney villain” whose voice is “the delicious Chris Pine… and I have to say, he’s pretty good looking.”
Hidden Treasures: Wish is released as part of Disney’s 100th anniversary. Ariana said the film is full of hidden gems from previous films. Hinting at a gem, she revealed, “Asha has seven friends, SEVEN boyfriends, and they all have really, really cool personalities.”
After winning an Oscar, a Golden Globe, a SAG, a BAFTA and a Critics Choice Award for her role as Anita in “West Side Story,” Ariana said she’s still a “nervous singer.”
“This is actually an area of my life that I work on every day to increase my confidence,” she explained.
She said that working with composer Julia Michaels allowed her to shake off some of her concerns.
“I believe in this music and it has helped me discover colors and abilities in my own singing that I didn’t know were there.”
Wish opens in theaters the day before Thanksgiving, Wednesday, November 22nd.