A British schoolgirl, who penned a letter to Disney three years ago when she was just nine asking for a princess to wear glasses, has been invited to the Bafta awards by Encanto director Jared Bush.
Lowri Moore, 12, from Chilwell, Nottinghamshire, made the request having worn glasses all her life, but was disillusioned when she got no response from the entertainment giant. However, Bush had received her letter and kept it, but was unable to tell her that the main character in the film was already going to have glasses.
Speaking to Lowri on BBC Breakfast on Wednesday, Bush said: "I think she knows like she's my hero, I can't imagine being that age and being that brave. I think the biggest thing I'd like to say is, as it turns out, like you mentioned, I may be in the UK this weekend, and I was wondering, Lowri, if you might be interested in maybe joining me and the other film-makers at the Bafta Award ceremony?"
Lowri and mum, Cyrilyn, were completely speechless but nodded vigorously before presenter Jon Kay stepped in and said: "I think that is a yes." Fellow presenter Sally Nugent asked if there will be a red carpet at the event, and Bush replied: "I think the most important thing is I'm so excited to meet you in person. I'm going to tell you all the Disney secrets that I couldn't tell you, but now I am going to whisper them all, and no-one can stop me."
Lowri managed to thank Bush as she became overwhelmed with emotion and her mum held back tears as she thanked the film director, saying: "That is like the stuff dreams are made of, isn't it? That's beautiful."
Encanto tells the story of Mirabel Madrigal, a young girl with glasses who lives in a magical community but has no apparent powers of her own. When the village of Encanto is threatened and its magic is in jeopardy, it falls to her to save the day.
Encanto has notched up three nominations for the Oscars, including best animated film, and earlier this year the song We Don't Talk About Bruno, written by Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, became the first original Disney song to reach number one in the UK singles chart, the Official Charts Company said.
- The Baftas will take place at London's Royal Albert Hall on March 13 and will be hosted by actress Rebel Wilson.
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