On February 25, the premiere event for Disney’s latest film, Snow White, took place, showcasing the voice actor debut of Sayaka Yoshiyuki as the titular character and Junki Kono from JO1 as Jonathan, her destined partner. Fans gathered to celebrate this milestone, marking another celebration of the beloved princess story.
The enchanting tale of Snow White, recognized as one of the most-loved Disney princess narratives, has been reimagined as a new musical live-action film. Audiences are introduced to Snow White, who possesses a pure heart but faces threats from the wicked queen obsessed with beauty and power. Her salvation lies with seven dwarfs she meets in a magical forest and Jonathan, who leads her beyond the castle walls, setting the stage for extraordinary miracles inspired by her kindness.
The event was enveloped by the mystical ambiance of the film's universe, featuring performances of the stunning musical number “Waiting On A Wish,” composed by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul of La La Land and The Greatest Showman fame. Yoshiyuki expressed her excitement about the reception of her performance, noting, “So many people watched it, and I've received messages from people I’m currently working with and family saying, ‘I saw the stream!’ I was really nervous and anxious to see how everyone would receive it, but the positive feedback took away some of my tension.”
During the event, Yoshiyuki spoke about collaborating with key characters, including the wicked queen (played by Kanato Tsukishiro) and others like Atsuhiro Tsuda as the angry dwarf and Junichi Suwabe as the magic mirror. “I heard their voices during the dubbing work, but I hadn’t met them until now. Since it was my first time singing publicly, I was even more energized knowing they were all present, and their compliments were very encouraging,” she revealed.
Next to shine was Kono, who dazzled the crowd as he referenced his casting as the fateful Jonathan, which quickly became trending news. He revealed, “When I learned I got the role during the final audition, I felt pure joy and surprise. I had been practicing for about a month leading up to it—it was one of my dreams, so it was emotional. I shared the news first with my members who supported me through practice.”
Together on stage, Yoshiyuki and Kono engaged the audience, discussing the charm of their roles and their feelings about performing them. About Rachel Zegler’s portrayal of Snow White, Yoshiyuki remarked, “Everyone knows her as the princess with such kindness and empathy; it’s incredible to see how she embodies those qualities. I’ve grown to love Zegler more and more as I see her performance.”
Kono described Jonathan's character as “the one who leads Snow White out of the castle. He’s still enigmatic, but I hope audiences savor the experience at the cinema.” He held high praise for Zegler’s interpretation, recalling, “Working alongside Andrew Burnap, who embodies the essence of kindness, I felt under pressure for my voice work, aiming to match his gentle tone.”
They discussed moments of destiny—their fateful encounters with significant figures who shifted the course of their lives. Yoshiyuki shared, “For me, it’s Satomi Ishihara. I've admired her since wanting to become part of the entertainment world. Without her inspiration, I wouldn't be playing Snow White today.” Kono acknowledged the influence of his fans, known as JAM, stating, “Because I was chosen through voting, my life pivoted 180 degrees. Five years later, here I am contributing to Snow White. I truly owe it to JAM.”
This was the first on-stage collaboration for both Yoshiyuki and Kono, both making their voice acting debuts. Reflecting on their impressions of each other, Yoshiyuki commented, “While I had heard Kono’s voice during the dubbing, today was our first encounter. His warmheartedness is something I think the audience will deeply appreciate.” Kono reciprocated the compliment, saying, “Hearing Yoshiyuki’s vocal expressions during the dubbing—her powerful singing and soft whispers showcased different facets of Snow White—I was genuinely mesmerized today.”
Surprise comments from director Marc Webb, known for The Amazing Spider-Man, added to the event's excitement: “I was so happy to meet both of you today. Your voices exceeded my expectations, and I’m sure Sayaka’s Snow White will be beloved across Japan. Junki’s singing is equally wonderful, and I can’t wait for everyone to see you perform.”
Yoshiyuki admitted being deeply moved, expressing, “There was pressure taking on such significant roles, but I felt grateful to fulfill this dream—I’ve often thought about whether I could pursue being a princess.” She didn't hide her emotions as she stated, “Hearing the director’s words made me feel like dreaming was worth it.”
Kono echoed similar sentiments, saying, “I was shocked again! Although I had insecurities as it was my first voice role, I was reassured by the director’s words and can’t wait to see how audiences will receive this film.”
The event culminated with the duo engaging with oversized balloons themed after the film. Together, they popped the balloons filled with apples and sparkles, wishing for the film's success as glimmering decorations surrounded them, perfectly fitting the fairy tale ambiance. A surprise announcement from Yoshiyuki unveiled Zegler’s planned visit to Japan for promotional events next month.
Featuring Zegler, along with Gal Gadot and the voice cast, Snow White opens theatrically on March 20. The film, reimagined as a musical, promises to capture audiences’ hearts once more as it revisits the timeless story of Snow White.
Directed by Marc Webb, with music by Pasek and Paul, and distributed by Walt Disney Japan, anticipation is building for this enchanting reimagining of the classic tale.