‘We’re all in this together’: Disney characters, artists unite to fight COVID-19
MANILA, Philippines — Ever since lockdowns began in many countries due to the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Disney characters’ memes have been trending on social media.
While some memes were used to educate people about hygiene and social distancing, others served as entertainment for people stuck in homes.
Two weeks ago, Disney Executive Chairman and recent former Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger saw the trend and noticed that people had been rendering their own versions of Disney’s songs while in quarantine.
As such, Iger pooled together Disney’s producers and artists to produce the musical special “Disney Family Singalong” on YouTube, which aired on Thursday night (US time), featuring an hour-long of over 16 performances from some of today’s hottest stars.
Among the performances included Ariana Grande singing “I Won’t Say I’m In Love” from “Hercules;” Christina Aguilera belting out “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from “The Lion King;” Demi Lovato and Michael Bublé interpreting “A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes;” Josh Groban singing “You’ve Got a Friend In Me” from “Toy Story;” and “High School Musical” cast Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale and Corbin Bleu reuniting to render “We’re All in This Together.”
The whole high school musical cast singing we're all in this together ???????? #DisneyFamilySingalong pic.twitter.com/kokUiPqea5
— ???????????????? ????| (@Rosincaxpearl) April 17, 2020
‘King and queen of quarantine’
Prior to the musical special, Disney characters Quasimodo from “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and Rapunzel from “Tangled” have been tagged by Internet users as “king and queen” of quarantine since both survived being locked up in a tower for years.
Both have apparently become inspirations for real people in quarantine to stay strong.
#SundayMorning sentiment I’m sure most of us are feeling! But alas we must #StayHome! Wishing all my #DisTwitter friends a happy #Sunday and a Happy #Easter! Hope your day is peaceful and relaxing! #SoundUp for #Quasimodo pic.twitter.com/B55KHMBSXf
— Disney Tips Guy (@disneytipsguy) April 12, 2020
“When you realize rapunzel was in quarantine for 16 years!!!” a Twitter user wrote.
When you realize rapunzel was in quarantine for 16 years!!! pic.twitter.com/8sUVSecNRk
— hello (@clvnprk) March 16, 2020
Social media users also pointed out that Rapunzel’s hometown has been named Corona, which coincides with coronavirus. As such, conspiracy theorists think "Tangled" "predicted" the coronavirus.
“Rapunzel was locked in her tower all her life cause her mom was hiding her from corona,” a Twitter user wrote.
Rapunzel was locked in her tower for 17 years. Her kingdom's name is Corona. pic.twitter.com/ZHZyD87ghU
— Barley Lightfoot #Onward #OnwardPH #PixarOnward (@ferdz_Evans) March 16, 2020
Multi-awarded Filipino singer-actress Lea Salonga, the singing voice of Mulan in the Disney movie and of Jasmine in the movie “Aladdin,” made the characters “Aladdin” her Twitter cover photo but with a twist. In the photo, Aladdin can be seen asking Jasmine’s hand, but Jasmine reaches out with a hand sanitizer.
Meanwhile, Aguilera’s new song, ”Loyal Brave True,” from the new live-action “Mulan” has also been dedicated by Internet users to COVID-19 frontliners.
To all the Healthcare workers out there. You are Loyal. Brave. And True. I know its hard. But you guys are my heroes. Stay Strong and Stay Safe. https://t.co/maQVyyvFZR#COVID19 #COVID19Colorado #COVID
— Kalisa Spirit (@KalisaSpirit) March 27, 2020
saya dedikasikan lagu ini untuk semua tenaga medis yg menjadi garda terdepan melawan pandemik covid 19. Y'all truly loyal, brave and true warriors ???????????? https://t.co/nRiUbiU2Pi
— ?ε??α (@aqua2byun) April 15, 2020
Likewise, “Stay at Home Con 2020” became a viral trending topic as Marvel fans have been sharing their drawings of Marvel characters.
Even villains such as Gaston from “Beauty and the Beast,” has been re-imagined to remind people of three things to prevent COVID-19: clean, quarantine and stop spreading the virus.
“No-one cleans like Gaston; Quarantines like Gaston; No-one stops spreading Covid-19 like Gaston!" said an Internet user’s version of the song dedicated to Gaston in the movie.
A Disney colleague shared this with me today and it gave me a needed giggle. pic.twitter.com/fRxEYscpUI
— Jennifer Heddle (@jenheddle) March 27, 2020
Last Holy Week, “Lilo & Stitch” became viral as scenes from the movie reminded people anything from how to properly prepare sandwiches while staying at home, to missing traveling and exploring beautiful countries like Hawaii.
“You know what, i’m gonna say it, quarantine might just be making me SKINNY, but if i don’t look as slim thicc as nani from lilo and stitch when i go to hawaii in december, i WILL be demanding a refund,” said one tweet.
you know what, i’m gonna say it, quarantine might just be making me SKINNY, but if i don’t look as slim thicc as nani from lilo and stitch when i go to hawaii in december, i WILL be demanding a refund
— translucent bacon (@kdhennny) April 9, 2020
“Ever since this whole covid 19 thing started I have literally turned into the sandwich alien from lilo and stitch... all I kno is the sandwich arts........ head empty.....I just ...... make sandwiches....,” said another tweet.
ever since this whole covid 19 thing started I have literally turned into the sandwich alien from lilo and stitch... all I kno is the sandwich arts........ head empty.....I just ...... make sandwiches.... pic.twitter.com/hERa1mgY1a
— taylor (@_taylorryoung) April 6, 2020
Another Twitter user, meanwhile, dropped a significant line from “Lilo & Stitch,” which is especially pertinent in these trying times: "Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.”
Lilo and Stitch is trending right now - perhaps it because everyone needs to remember Ohana today.
— A Twenty Something Lesbian (@nicbeanquest) April 12, 2020
“Ohana means family, family means nobody gets left behind, or forgotten” #LiloAndStitch #ohana #Easter #missingmyfamily pic.twitter.com/mxUwSG8afw
— Videos from YouTube/Kurt Tocci, ABC
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