As actress Aimee Carrero was growing up in Miami, Florida, Disney was a part of her life for as long as she can remember. “We’ve had Disney in the Carrero family for a very long time because my uncle is an Imagineer at the Orlando theme parks,” she explains, adding that Splash Mountain is a personal favorite attraction. “I think that when you’re a kid it’s absolutely terrifying, and when you’re an adult… it’s absolutely terrifying!” she laughs.
Carrero’s latest thrill comes from providing the voice to Disney’s newest princess, Elena of Avalor, on the series of the same name that debuted just last Friday on Disney Channel. Elena is Disney’s first princess inspired by diverse Latin cultures and folklore, and Carrero—the daughter of a Puerto Rican father and a Dominican mother—is honored to be part of Elena of Avalor. “I feel like we are really doing some great work and the stories are something that we’re just so proud of,” she says. Carrero sees her 16-year-old character as a role model for girls and boys—and maybe even grownups. “I think she’s definitely more courageous than I ever was as a teenager and probably ever will be as an adult.”
While Carrero (who also stars on Freeform’s Young & Hungry as Sofia) is making new Disney memories on Elena of Avalor, we asked her to share her “Fab 5” Disney princess moments. She had a hard time picking just five, but here’s what she had to say:
1. “Once Upon a Dream” (from Sleeping Beauty)
“That song… ” she enthuses. “The lyrics alone just may be my wedding vow. Even as a kid I found that so moving, that idea of recognizing your true match just because you recognized their soul. You might have never before met them, but you recognized who they are at the core. I think that’s such a beautiful, beautiful idea.”
2. The cake scene from Sleeping Beauty
“My second princess-related memory is also Sleeping Beauty-related—that’s my favorite movie. I love when Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather were trying to make [Aurora’s birthday] cake—that was so funny to me. I remember watching that scene over and over again, as the three fairies were trying to put the party together, because I found it so funny.”
3. Cinderella serving breakfast to Lady Tremaine (Cinderella)
“In Cinderella, there’s a scene where Cinderella drops off her stepmother’s breakfast. She opens the door slightly and the light from outside of the room just shines in Lady Tremaine’s eyes and she looks so imposing. I remember just thinking, ‘Wow—what a strong image. It tells a story and she doesn’t even have to open her mouth.’”
4. Mulan’s transformation (Mulan)
“I loved, in Mulan, that whole sequence of Mulan putting on the uniform and cutting her hair off. It was so emotional, and it really stuck with me. I was a little older when Mulan came out, but I thought that it was a beautiful moment.”
5. The “Gaston” sequence in Beauty and the Beast
“The scene in Beauty and the Beast where Gaston and LeFou are at the tavern, singing ‘Gaston,’ was one of the first examples of comedy that I really enjoyed. I remember watching that scene over and over again because I thought, ‘How silly they were!’”
