Celina Smith has landed the lead role in NBC’s upcoming musical Annie Live! The musical is scheduled to air around the Christmas holiday and will also star Taraji P. Henson as Miss Hannigan, Harry Connick Jr. as Daddy Warbucks, Nicole Scherzinger as Grace and Tituss Burgess as Rooster. Smith, 12. will play young orphan Annie who is adopted by the billionaire Daddy Warbucks, and will perform such iconic tunes as “Tomorrow,” “Maybe,” and “It’s the Hard Knock Life.”
Annie is based on the Harold Gray comic strip “Little Orphan Annie” from the early 1920s and has been licensed and performed in 50 countries and translated into eight languages. The musical premiered on Broadway in 1977 and was adapted into movies and television productions on several occasions. Aileen Quinn starred as Annie in the 1982 classic movie version while Alicia Morton took on the orphan character lead role in a 1999 made for television remake. Quvenzhané Wallis also played Annie in the 2014 Hollywood reboot starring alongside Jamie Foxx as Daddy Warbucks.
Smith’s previous credits include Tyler Perry’s Nickelodeon series “Young Dylan” and a stint as Young Nala in the national touring company of The Lion King.
“It’s an honor to follow in the footsteps of the talented young ladies who have played Annie before me and I can’t wait to start this journey,” Smith told Deadline in a statement.
Smith, an Atlanta native, was cast in the role following a nationwide search for a new Annie. Annie Live! rehearsals will begin in New York around October, with the musical set to premiere Dec. 2, 2021 on NBC.
“BOOKED IT!!!! I think I’ve said the words “Excited” & “Grateful” a hundred times since yesterday’s announcement! So since I can’t say it enough … let me say it again 😃 So excited and grateful! Thank you everyone for your words of encouragement. Okay, let’s do this 👊🏽,” Smith further announced on Instagram.
Take a look at the charismatic young lady discussing her new role as Annie with “Access Hollywood” below.
