Dinner On Olvera Street With Anthony Gonzalez (Voice Of Miguel) From Coco + Interview

After Anthony’s performance singing “Remember Me”  it was time to sit down for a short interview to ask him more about his experience with playing the voice of Miguel.

Anthony Gonzalez: Well, when I first went to audition for Miguel, I really wanted to do this role because well I identified myself so much with him.  And that is because we both have this passion for music.  I grew up with music, singing with my brothers here in La Placita Olvera.  And just to be part of a movie where I can sing because I’ve been doing that since I was four years old, is amazing.  So that’s one way I identify with Miguel.  Another way I identify myself with Miguel is we both know how important our family is and we know to really do our traditions.  Just like Miguel’s tradition is to celebrate the Day of the Dead.  And I actually have celebrated the Day of the Dead as well because my grandfather passed away when I was six years old, but well in the Day of the Dead it was a chance for me to be with him again and connect with him.  And that’s another way me and Miguel connect.

Now that the movie has come out, how do you feel it’s changed perspective on the Day of the Dead?

Anthony Gonzalez: Yeah in fact I think it’s made a big change in our community because there’s some people like people tell me, wow I didn’t even know this was a holiday.  Now I’m going to start celebrating it, because well, my father and my uncle passed away and I can be with them again and connect with them, it’s a celebration.  And yeah that’s actually my home school teacher told me that her daughter didn’t even know this happened.  And her friend passed away and then now that she knows about the Day of the Dead she can be with her friend again, which is amazing.  And I think that has been a really good change in the community. 

Photo Credit: Natasha Nicholes – Houseful Of Nicholes

What has been your most memorable experience in the course of doing the film and afterwards?

Anthony Gonzalez: Wow there have been so many.  Well one of them was I got to go to D23 and I had the honor to sing with the one and only Benjamin Bratt, which was so cool.  And I’ve gotten to go to places that I never thought I would go to like Canada and I love Canada because it’s so cold and cold yes.  And actually I actually never thought I would go to Pixar and I just love going to Pixar so much, because there’s like a soccer field and I love soccer so I get to play soccer every time I go there, every time on my break I got to play soccer.  And also the food there is delicious.

What was your favorite scene from the movie?

Anthony Gonzalez: Well that’s a good question.  I have a lot of favorite scenes.  One is like I love all the scenes where Miguel is interacting with Mama Coco, I think that’s just so sweet, like I used to go like this and now we’re like this which is way faster, I love that. I also love when Mama and Mama Imelda agrees to tell give Miguel his blessing.  But the only condition is that he can never play music ever again, and then he says okay.  But then right when he goes back he gets a guitar and then he goes straight back to Mama again. And another one I love is when Miguel is getting ready to sing Poco Loco and then Hector teases him about the grito and then the first time he tries it, he does horrible but then when he does it on stage, he nails it.

I know you shared what you learned from the experience, but what do you hope other kids take from this film?

Anthony Gonzalez: Well I hope that they take really that the Day of the Dead is not like Halloween, it’s a time for a celebration, it’s a wonderful celebration that anyone can celebrate, not just like from where- not just Mexicans can celebrate but anyone can celebrate it.  Because it’s a day where you can connect and really remember your family members that passed away.  And I think that’s what I hope that people take away from the movie. 

Photo Credit: Natasha Nicholes – Houseful Of Nicholes

How does it feel to be a Disney voice? (Watch his response below)

Anthony Gonzalez: Oh my gosh that’s just like a dream come true, that’s an honor, because I grew up watching these Disney movies, like Toy Story, I have the Woody toy and I have like a Buzz Lightyear blanket and just to be part of Disney Pixar movie is a big deal and at my age it’s just a dream come true.  And all I can do is just thank god for all the blessings he’s given me.

You performed on Olvera Street?

Anthony Gonzalez:  Yes I would do street performance, and sing in these streets.  We would do a whole show like my brother would sing with one similar to this, and my sisters would do tap dance, ballet.  They would sing- they would dance while my brother was singing and I would just look at them and I would just be inspired by them.  And that’s, because of them I started singing and acting. 

This was such an amazing night and it was such a great opportunity to meet Anthony Gonzalez after falling in love with his character on the big screen. It was even more special knowing that Olvera Street is part of Anthony’s history and having him perform for us on Olvera Street was memorable! I think that Anthony is such a TALENTED kid with charm and I look forward to watching him grow on the big screen!