hollywoodtone.blogspot.com Former Snow White dishes about portraying a Disney Princess
hollywoodtone.blogspot.com Former Snow White dishes about portraying a Disney Princess
Little girls all around the world dream of someday getting to meet their favorite Disney Princess. Many of them actually get that chance by visiting one of the Disney Parks. It may not be all that it seems, though, for the women behind the crowns.
Reddit user doublenn revealed in an AMA (Ask Me Anything) last year about her time as Snow White at a Disney Park. She posted a picture and video of herself as Snow White and answered questions from Reddit users, but her identity cannot be confirmed. However, she explained in the AMA what it really takes to be a Disney Princess. In order to become a "face character" at a Disney Park, you first must pass a few tests. The former Snow White described the audition process as being long and arduous. She said, "The first is a 'type out' where they look to see if you have similar features. Second is usually a dance, then a 'read' to have you act as the character, and an interview." Not only is the audition long, it is also competitive. Doublenn stated on her AMA, "When I auditioned for Disney there were 700 others there and the audition took 2 days of different rounds until we were hired." Knowing the film they wish to represent is key to being a successful "face character" at one of the Disney Parks. During their five days of training after being chosen, the new characters study their film intensely. Doublenn mentioned, "I can quote the movie from start to finish from memory." Height is also an important criterion that Disney uses to choose a Princess. The former Snow White explained, "Princesses are usually 5'4"-5'7". Fairies and Alice or Wendy are usually 4'11"-5'2"." The average age range for the princesses is between 18-23. Rarely is a princess over the age of 27, according to doublenn. Though she portrayed Snow White, her natural voice was much deeper than the movie character's. She explained, "I definitely strained a bit, but I was trained well." However, due to the repetition of the high-pitched voice she developed inoperable vocal nodes. Princesses have some of the most intricate costumes of all the characters. According to doublenn, it would take 5-10 minutes to put on the dress alone. A whole hour would be devoted to preparing the entire ensemble. This included the makeup and wig. The former Snow White added, "All day long you have to make adjustments and do touch ups, especially after lunch." Being a Disney Princess at an amusement park doesn't pay nearly the salary of a real princess. Doublenn stated that she started at $13.50 per hour. She further explains, "Disney does not do large raises, only about 15 cents per year. It's a good part-time job for sure because of the pay, but when you are still making the same thing at year three it doesn't exactly motivate you to work harder." One Redditor asked doublenn the question, "Has a kid ever asked you anything you couldn't answer?" She replied with an awkward story, "(...) One time a little girl gave me a hug then got super embarrassed and asked, 'Are those your boobs?' To that I kind of laughed and refocused her attention on the picture we were taking." Doublenn's worst memory as a princess involves an older man who began stalking her because he believed she was the real Snow White. He threatened to murder the other girls at the Park portraying Snow White. The Park's security got involved, and the man's annual pass was revoked. On a lighter note, doublenn explained that one of her best memories as Snow White was spending a day with a terminally ill little girl sent to Disney by the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Doublenn's description of the day included, "I got to ride two rides with her, and while we were on the Storybook boats she looked at me as sincere as a little girl can and said, 'Snow White, this has been my mom's best day ever.'" Disney has many rules for their Park employees, especially the characters. Employees portraying Disney characters are not allowed to use social media to discuss the things they do as a character, or even reveal which character they are hired to portray. Doublenn told the Reddit users, "If I was still employed with them an AMA would be a no-no." While she worked at the park, there were many rules for how the characters should carry themselves and behave at all times. They were not allowed to sit, always had to smile, always had to be in character, always had to be in proper tone of voice, and never refer to anything outside of the Disney realm. Saying "no" was another rule Disney vehemently enforced. Doublenn explained, "Finding a solution to guest problems is a number one priority. I couldn't flat out refuse autographs or pictures or answering questions." When asked about relationships amongst the princesses, Doublenn responded, "Being a princess is a lot like being in a sorority. We still get together and see each other." Friendships must have been inconvenient to form, though, with a schedule of 45 minutes on shift, with only 15 minute breaks. Doublenn added, "When the weather reached 90, 95, 100 they would adjust our sets and let us take some time off so we could recoup." Doublenn explained that "some days are not fun" when you work as a Disney Princess or other character. She added, "But you learn to take a deep breath and deal with it. It took three years before I really started to get over it and I wanted out." In her Reddit reveal, Doublenn also answered a question about if she ever lost her temper with any of the kids. She responded, "I found round about ways to be snarky. Sometimes when trying to organize a line families would push each other and cut to which I'd reply, 'ah, ah, ah, when I said join my line, I meant the back not the front.'" These and even more secrets are revealed in this former Disney Princess' AMA on Reddit. Though we as adults realize the princesses at amusement parks are regular people, children see them as actual characters from their favorite fairytales. Many dreams have come true because of the men and women that are dedicated to making these fairytales into a reality for children.
hollywoodtone.blogspot.com Former Snow White dishes about portraying a Disney Princess