Proud Family: Loud and ProudComing to Disney+ on February 23, the revival of Disney Channel’s classic animated series Proud family. After more than 15 years on the air, the story continues where its predecessor left off, but made sure to modernize some elements to reflect the times. In addition to the students currently trying to become social media influencers, there is a new level of representation that didn’t exist before.
14-year-old Penny Proud (still voiced by the adorable Kyla Pratt) and her schoolmates deal with the pressures of growing up, while they welcome two newcomers to their small town. Maya (Kirk Palmer, ARE NOT) and KG (artist Julius Dubose, known professionally as Hoodie Boogie) are here to change Penny’s perspective and maybe even social status — but they’re not the only new members best. EJ Johnson (And alike) plays Michael, who is now a more outgoing and proud version of himself, ready to lend a hand in fashion or makeup.
johnson with rant screen About how excited they are to be part of the series and the steps the revival has taken in terms of representation. Check out the clip of Michael and Penny’s friends below, and enjoy reading the interview.
How does it feel to enter this world? proud family In Phil LaMarr’s shoes [who played Michael in the original series]?
EJ Johnson: Great. Great. I was a fan as a kid, grew up watching it when I was eight or nine, and now [I’m] its part. I love how the show has changed, how much space we have to play, and the stories we have to tell.
There’s absolutely no way this character could have existed in ’04 or ’05, or whenever it first came out, and now we have this character, who lives without regrets, beautifully. , free and fearless. It looks so beautiful. Other than that, I would be more than happy to be a part of it and bring it to life. But yeah, I loved the whole experience. everything.
I know this is your first voiceover. How do you find different experiences and then how do you find the right sound or space for Michael?
EJ Johnson: I don’t really find it difficult at all. I find it funny because, as I told another guy who was interviewing me, one of my earliest acting memories was impersonating my mom or a friend or someone I saw on TV. I will keep my voice for hours. Or when I’m reading all my favorite fairy tales and I just love one villain – I’ll walk around the house and sing “Poor Unlucky Soul” in the bathtub, or wear a my mother’s coat. fur coat, pretending to smoke, over and over again Cruella de Vil. It’s really no different.
I gave a lot to this role. I gave them a Dominique Deveraux vibe of elegance, beauty, intelligence and wit. Comes with zinger and a liner. So every time I jump in, I instantly transform into Michael. It’s almost like no time has passed. You go right in. So this is super easy and super fun for me.
Michael and Penny have a bunch of friends and enemies, sometimes more enemies than friends, which is always a very interesting situation. How do you build that energy and what does Michael think of the rest of the team?
EJ Johnson: I think what I like about Michael is that they definitely have a lot of great live zingers. M is always calling someone or going to someone and gathering someone together because they have all the knowledge, all the fashion, and all the charm. But it’s all about love, and I think it’s definitely reminiscent of any great group of friends.
You guys always tease each other, tease each other, call on each other, push each other to make each other better. But for sure, it reminds me of my kid in high school. I am always stylish and always the queen of the crowd. Well, Penny is the queen of the crowd.
But I love that they’re always there, calling each other’s names, teasing each other, but eventually getting together.
Given your preference for Disney villains, I think proud family Blends in perfectly with the rest of the Disney universe. Is there a character or asset you would like to incorporate into its world?
EJ Johnson: I wanted to be the villain in one of those live-action movies; measurement is really great. Even one from a Marvel movie. But, I mean, all of that! I’ve always been a huge Disney fan, growing up over the years they have something for everyone. It would be a great crossover for me to start playing those roles.
But, like I said, they have everything under control. So listen, the right project will come at the right time. But I’m very excited.
In the first episode, Penny is confronted by a father who doesn’t want her to grow up. But Michael also had to deal with his parents’ difficulties in expressing himself. Can you talk about how you would describe that side of Michael?
EJ Johnson: Well, I think we’ll talk about that character later. I just remember, definitely for me and my dad. Especially as I started growing up and became more and more interested in fashion and expressing myself with clothes, he didn’t really understand that. It’s just this weird back-and-forth moment that he’s like, “What’s that?” I’m like, “Wow, this is fashion. Dad, I know because I’ve read Vogue, I’m reading GQ, I know what cute is. That’s cute stuff. Trust me.”
After I moved to New York and really immersed myself in the world of fashion, at some point he said, “You know what? I’ll let you do yours.” I said, “Thanks, because that’s what we’ve been waiting for.” We have the best relationship right now. He likes to buy me nice things, take me shopping, and we just sticking with fashion and things like that.My mom too, because we’ve always loved fashion, and now we go to fashion shows all over the world and pick things up together. It’s our bonding time.
Proud Family: Loud and Proud The first two episodes will premiere on Disney+ on February 23.