Disney’s ‘Encanto’ is a cultural phenomenon, and its success is deeply tied to its stellar voice cast. From Stephanie Beatriz as Mirabel to John Leguizamo as Bruno, each actor brought authenticity and heart to their roles, making the Madrigal family unforgettable.
Since its release in November 2021, Disney’s Encanto has become a modern classic, winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and captivating audiences worldwide. Directed by Byron Howard and Jared Bush, with original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the film follows the Madrigal family, who live in a magical house in Colombia. Each family member possesses a unique magical gift—except for Mirabel, the film’s protagonist, voiced by Stephanie Beatriz.
The film’s success is not just due to its enchanting story and catchy songs but also its exceptional voice cast, many of whom are of Colombian descent. This authenticity has resonated deeply with audiences, making Encanto a cultural touchstone. Below, we delve into the careers of the actors who brought the Madrigal family to life and explore how their performances contributed to the film’s magic.
Stephanie Beatriz as Mirabel Madrigal
Stephanie Beatriz is best known for her role as Detective Rosa Diaz on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. She has also lent her voice to various animated projects, including BoJack Horseman and The Legend of Vox Machina. In Encanto, Beatriz voices Mirabel Madrigal, the only member of the Madrigal family without a magical gift. Despite this, Mirabel’s determination and humor drive the film’s narrative.
Beatriz has spoken about the joy of portraying Mirabel, highlighting her comedic timing and the character’s role as both the protagonist and the family’s emotional anchor. “Unlike so many Disney heroes, she doesn’t have a sidekick to guide her through the story,” Beatriz told the New York Times. “Mirabel sometimes is the sidekick and the therapist for her family. She uses comedy all the time.”
María Cecilia Botero and Olga Merediz as Abuela Alma Madrigal
Abuela Alma Madrigal, the matriarch of the Madrigal family, is voiced by María Cecilia Botero, with Olga Merediz providing the singing voice. Botero is a renowned Colombian actress and former TV presenter, while Merediz is a Tony-nominated actress known for her role in In the Heights. Their collaboration brought depth and authenticity to Alma’s character, who carries the weight of the family’s magical legacy.
Merediz has discussed the challenge of matching Botero’s rich, low voice, emphasizing the importance of staying faithful to her tone. “It was a challenge,” Merediz told KTLA5. “I listened to her closely to stay as faithful as possible to her rich, low voice.”
John Leguizamo as Bruno Madrigal
John Leguizamo is a versatile actor with a career spanning decades, including roles in films like Carlito’s Way and Moulin Rouge!. In Encanto, Leguizamo voices Bruno Madrigal, the mysterious uncle whose visions of the future lead to his isolation from the family. His performance brought a unique blend of awkwardness and depth to the character.
Leguizamo has shared insights into his approach to voicing Bruno, describing him as an “awkward dude.” “Jared [Bush] and Byron [Howard], the directors, were really helpful in letting me go to the weirdest places because my intonations are really bizarre and offbeat,” Leguizamo told ScreenRant.
Carolina Gaitán as Pepa Madrigal
Carolina Gaitán is a well-known Colombian actress and singer, recognized for her roles in telenovelas like Sin senos sí hay paraíso. In Encanto, Gaitán voices Pepa Madrigal, Mirabel’s aunt who can control the weather with her emotions. Her performance added a layer of authenticity and emotional depth to the character.
Mauro Castillo as Félix Madrigal
Mauro Castillo, a Colombian salsa singer and former lead vocalist of the Grammy-winning group Grupo Niche, voices Félix Madrigal, Mirabel’s easygoing uncle. Castillo’s performance was influenced by his own roots, adding a touch of his Pacific coast heritage to the character. “In fact, the scene in Antonio’s room where he rides on the Jaguar called Parce, is a scene recreated from the Chocó region in the Pacific coast, where I am from,” Castillo told Billboard.
Jessica Darrow as Luisa Madrigal
Jessica Darrow made her screen debut in Feast of the Seven Fishes before landing her breakthrough role as Luisa Madrigal in Encanto. Luisa is Mirabel’s super-strong older sister, and Darrow’s performance brought both strength and vulnerability to the character. She also sings one of the film’s biggest hits, “Surface Pressure,” which earned quadruple-platinum certification from the RIAA.
Darrow has shared how Lin-Manuel Miranda encouraged her to embrace imperfection in her performance. “Ride these notes,” Miranda advised, which Darrow found liberating. “That is what I ended up doing and it’s ironically Luisa’s journey: you don’t have to be so perfect, stop being so rigid,” she told Billboard.
Angie Cepeda as Julieta Madrigal
Angie Cepeda is a familiar face in Colombian film and television, with credits including Love in the Time of Cholera and Jane the Virgin. In Encanto, Cepeda voices Julieta Madrigal, Mirabel’s mother, whose magical gift is healing through her cooking. Her performance added warmth and nurturing energy to the character.
Diane Guerrero as Isabela Madrigal
Diane Guerrero is known for her roles in Orange Is the New Black and Jane the Virgin. In Encanto, Guerrero voices Isabela Madrigal, Mirabel’s oldest sister, who can make flowers bloom anywhere. Guerrero has described the experience as “surreal,” noting the importance of seeing Colombian culture represented in film. “To see a character from Colombia, I was so afraid that I wasn’t ever gonna be understood … It was rarely portrayed in film and in storytelling, in this way,” she told Collider.
Wilmer Valderrama as Agustín Madrigal
Wilmer Valderrama is best known for his role as Fez on That ’70s Show and currently stars as Nick Torres on NCIS. In Encanto, Valderrama voices Agustín Madrigal, Mirabel’s father, who married into the family. Valderrama has described Agustín as someone “desperately trying to fit into this magical family” despite having no powers of his own. “There was something very sweet about that demeanor, and I think it gave him this naive and sweet, misguided attempt at really connecting with his daughter,” he explained.
Rhenzy Feliz as Camilo Madrigal
Rhenzy Feliz starred on Marvel’s Runaways and currently appears on HBO’s The Penguin. In Encanto, Feliz voices Camilo Madrigal, Pepa and Félix’s shapeshifting teenage son. His performance added a playful and dynamic energy to the character.
Ravi Cabot-Conyers as Antonio Madrigal
Ravi Cabot-Conyers received an Emmy nomination for his performance in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. In Encanto, Cabot-Conyers voices Antonio Madrigal, Pepa and Félix’s youngest child, who can communicate with animals. “He’s a little bit of an introvert,” Cabot-Conyers said in an interview, “but when he got his gift, he started being able to communicate with everybody, not just Mirabel, [who] kind of feels like his bestie.”
Adassa as Dolores Madrigal
Adassa is a singer who made her onscreen debut in Encanto. She has collaborated with artists like Flo Rida, Pitbull, and Missy Elliott. In the film, Adassa voices Dolores Madrigal, Mirabel’s cousin with heightened hearing. Her performance added a unique and memorable voice to the character.
Maluma as Mariano Guzman
Maluma, a Latin music superstar, made his acting debut in Encanto. He has since appeared in films like Marry Me alongside Jennifer Lopez. In Encanto, Maluma voices Mariano Guzman, a hopeless romantic engaged to Isabela. Reflecting on the experience, Maluma told Allure that Encanto has helped highlight Colombia’s beauty. “It feels great when you fly to other countries and they don’t talk about Pablo Escobar anymore. They talk about Encanto. They talk about Maluma. They talk about James Rodríguez, the soccer player. They talk about Karol G,” he said. “It’s amazing that people are recognizing all the positive things about Colombia. Encanto really showed the beauty of our country.”
Encanto is now streaming on Disney+. For more entertainment news and updates, stay tuned to onlytrustedinfo.com, your definitive source for the fastest and most authoritative analysis in the entertainment world.
