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For more than two decades, Disney has helped launch the careers of some of the entertainment industry's biggest Latino stars. Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato became global music and television sensations after their Disney Channel years. Sofia Carson transformed the original Descendants trilogy into an international career spanning film, music and fashion. Jenna Ortega sharpened her acting skills on Disney before becoming one of Hollywood's biggest young stars, while Xochitl Gomez went from Disney productions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Now, Disney is introducing another generation.
With Descendants: Wicked Wonderland, now streaming exclusively on Disney+, Kylie Cantrall returns as Red alongside newcomers Alexandro Byrd (Luis Madrigal) and Kiara Romero (Hazel Hook,) two rising Latino actors joining one of Disney's most successful franchises and hoping to become the next breakout names from the House of Mouse.
The chemistry between the three was evident even before the interview started.
They switched effortlessly between English and Spanish, teased each other about who makes the best arepas and laughed through nearly every answer. But when the conversation turned to why Descendants continues to captivate audiences more than a decade after the original film, their answer was unanimous: the music.
"It's an epic musical," Romero said. "The songs are incredible. There are so many dances, costumes and colors. It's so eye-catching, and there's something about it that just makes you want to keep watching. Moms, daughters and sisters can all bond over it."
Cantrall believes that's what has made the franchise a Disney phenomenon.
"I think musicals are such a beautiful way of storytelling," the actress said. "There's something about these songs that brings people together. You want to get up and dance. Families watch it together and then the songs stay with them. They're playing during the drive to school and parents end up knowing every word because they're so catchy. Musicals unite us."
For Byrd, becoming part of the Descendants universe also meant bringing his own heritage into Disney's magical world.
The actor proudly shared that his mother is from Caracas, Venezuela, while Romero revealed his Colombian and Puerto Rican heritage. Their conversation quickly turned into a celebration of Latino culture, with Cantrall joining in as the cast debated whether Colombian or Venezuelan arepas reign supreme.
"We actually talked about this yesterday after we went to a Venezuelan arepa restaurant," Cantrall joked before suggesting both countries should share the credit for the beloved dish.
The interview also took a heartfelt turn when the actors were asked about the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela.
"It's devastating," Byrd said. "Our hearts are with the people of Venezuela and we should never lose hope."
Cantrall, whose Venezuelan roots are an important part of her identity, echoed the sentiment.
"My heart is with everyone back home because that is home," she said. "I absolutely adore Venezuela and where my mom is from and that culture. God bless."
A New Adventure in Wonderland
The latest chapter in Disney's hit musical franchise picks up after the events of Descendants: The Rise of Red. With the Queen of Hearts finally redeemed and Cinderella safe, Red and Chloe believe they have repaired the timeline.
Instead, their actions create an entirely new threat.
Maddox Hatter captures the Queen of Hearts, forcing Red and Chloe back into Wonderland for another adventure. This time, they're joined by an expanded team that includes Pink, Red's newly discovered sister; Luis Madrigal, the son of Encanto's Luisa Madrigal; Hazel Hook, daughter of Captain Hook; and Max Hatter, Maddox's son.
The crossover blends characters inspired by Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan and Encanto, making it one of the franchise's biggest expansions yet.
Meet Disney's New Fairy Tale Family
Alongside Cantrall, Byrd and Romero, the film brings back Malia Baker as Chloe Charming, daughter of Cinderella and Prince Charming, while Leonardo Nam reprises his role as Maddox Hatter. New additions include Liamani Segura as Pink, Brendon Tremblay as Max Hatter, and Joel Oulette as Luis Madrigal's cousin, further expanding the interconnected Disney universe.
For Byrd, stepping into the shoes of Luisa Madrigal's son marks a milestone, as Encanto officially becomes part of the ever-growing Descendants mythology.
Meanwhile, Romero introduces Hazel Hook, a fearless pirate with plenty of attitude.
Asked to describe their characters in just three words, the cast's answers perfectly captured their personalities.
Romero called Hazel "sarcastic," "daring" and ambitious. Cantrall described Red as "rebellious" and "fiery," while Byrd laughed before comparing Luis to "a golden retriever puppy," endlessly curious, kind and excited about everything.
Music also helped them shape those personalities.
When asked what songs belonged on their characters' personal playlists, Cantrall immediately chose Doja Cat's 'Paint the Town Red' for Red.
"It's very fitting," she laughed.
Byrd's answer came even faster.
"Shakira."
The room erupted in laughter.
Following in Disney's Footsteps
The Descendants franchise has become one of Disney's most successful talent incubators.
The original trilogy helped turn Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson, Cameron Boyce, Booboo Stewart, Mitchell Hope and China Anne McClain into household names for a generation of Disney fans. More recently, The Rise of Red introduced Cantrall and Baker as the franchise's new leading heroines.
Now, Descendants: Wicked Wonderland hands the spotlight to another wave of young performers.
Whether Byrd and Romero become the next Disney success stories remains to be seen, but if the franchise's history is any indication, Descendants has once again become the place where audiences meet tomorrow's stars long before Hollywood knows their names.
