Yvette Nicole Brown brings her humor and heart to Disney’s Hexed, where she voices an enchanted teacup. In this exclusive interview with Urban Magazine, she talks about the film, finding your true self, and what it takes to build a lasting career in Hollywood.
You’re one of my favorite people on social media. I love that you’re outspoken and not afraid to tackle some of the bigger social issues.
Oh, thank you so much! We all need to use the platforms we have. We’re all supposed to do that.
Absolutely. Disney’s Hexed explores magic, self-discovery, and family secrets. What initially drew you to the project, and what made you want to be part of the story?
You know, just the idea of being part of another Disney animated film is an immediate yes. I worked on Zootopia 2 with Jared Bush, and he reached out. He’s one of the co-writers of Hexed. He said, “Do you want to come play with us again?” I was like, “Absolutely!” I said, “Tell me who I am.”
He said, “You’re an enchanted teacup, and you’re in the queen’s castle.” And we were off to the races. I don’t want to make it seem like what the film is about doesn’t matter, but Disney has such a history and legacy of excellence that it’s one of the few companies you can just say yes to when the call comes in. And then, to find out that I get to be part of a film that celebrates the magic within, encourages people to believe in themselves, and reminds them to protect the things that make them special, I was like, “Put me in, coach! Put me in, coach!”
What can you share about your character?
I play an enchanted teacup, and I think I’m only the second enchanted teacup after Chip from Beauty and the Beast. So, I love following in his saucer footsteps. She’s in the queen’s castle. She’s struggling with some issues, and she’s worried about someone. She wants them to be OK. That’s all I can share.
How does bringing an animated character to life challenge you differently from performing on camera?
It’s not really a challenge, beyond the fact that you have to make sure you’re expressing everything through your voice. I’m a very rubbery person. I make a lot of facial expressions, and I’m used to my face telling the story when I don’t have many lines or when I’m reacting to something. When you’re doing voice-over, you’re not on camera. So, you can’t use your face. It’s almost like taking away one of my crutches, really.
For that reason, I’ve learned how to put it all into my voice. That was a learning curve, but I’m so proud that I made it through. That’s the biggest difference. I also love that with voice-over, you don’t have to get all done up… With voice-over, you can just throw on a cap, pajama bottoms, and a sweatshirt and get it done. That’s the big difference for me.
What message do you hope audiences take away from the film?
That it’s important to know who you are, what’s special about you, and to guard and protect it. And if you’re one of the older ones, like me, who may have started living a life that doesn’t feel authentic, it’s important to go back, retrace your steps, and get back to the place where you lost yourself. Then get back in the game.
And that’s all in Hexed.
You’ve played so many different roles throughout your career in television and film. Is there a particular type of story or character you prefer?
Well, I’m a very silly, fun person, and I hope people think of me as loving and nurturing. So, no matter what character I play, I’m going to be in that lane. That’s probably why, to this date, I don’t think I’ve actually played a villain. I don’t know if I’m a good enough actress to portray that level of vitriol toward someone. But then again, if you look at my Threads page, you know I could do it! Talking about my social media presence, I absolutely do it.
But that’s the thing. I think I lean more toward the helpers, people who are doing good and trying to make things better. That’s just my sweet spot when it comes to choosing characters.
What advice would you offer someone looking to pursue a career in television, film, or animation?
I would say respect those who came before you, and make sure you know about the genre you’re trying to get into. If you want to be a voice-over actor, you should be watching animated films and animated TV shows. And if you want to be a commercial actor, you better not be pausing and going to the bathroom when they go to commercial break!
You need to watch and see what they do and how they do it. There’s a wealth of information, but you have to avail yourself of it. So, I would say that first. I would also say that your reputation in this industry lasts a very long time. This is a very small business, a small industry, and how you treat people will get around.
If you’re a knucklehead, they’re going to talk about you, and you’re going to stop working. You’ve got to be a decent, kind person, show up on time, and be professional. That’s the best advice I can give. The rest of it is all luck and blessings. You’re either going to get the shot or you’re not. But I do think you have a better shot at getting an opportunity if you don’t give up. So, I always tell people to stay in the business until it’s their turn, and you will get a turn.
Be’n Original
