Madalen Mills as Journey and Forest Whitaker as Jeronicus.
Photo credit: Gareth Gatrell / NETFLIX
After a nationwide talent search, the 11-year-old secured the role of Journey in Jingle Jangle with EGOT winner John Legend excitedly announcing the news on Twitter. Making her film debut in Jingle Jangle, the budding young star finds herself alongside arguably the best and brightest of Hollywood. Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker, Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose and Emmy Award winner Keegan-Michael Key lead an extensive roster of luminaries that an up-and-comer can learn from. In fact, Madalen says Whitaker introduced her to the technique of method acting. But it was Rose who blew the young actress away when they sat down for their first table read.
“Being able to work with Miss Anika, I loved her before I even knew that I loved her. She’s Princess Tiana,” Madalen gushed speaking about Rose, who voiced the lead character in Disney’s animated film The Princess and the Frog. “I remember the first time I heard her during the table read, and it was mind-blowing. I kept thinking, ‘That’s how I want to sound five years from now.’
“I remember when we were on set, my mom would point out Mr. Whitaker to me and say, ‘He’s completely in character; that’s method acting.’ I didn’t even know what method acting was until I met Mr. Whitaker, so it really inspired me to work my hardest.”
Continue reading on the next page.
