'Encanto' songwriter Lin Manuel Miranda faces tough questions from kid interviewers

Encanto songwriter Lin Manuel Miranda sits down to talk with Lyla and Luna about songwriting, Encanto, Hamilton and more.

Video Transcript

- Hi, I'm Lyla.

- Hi, I'm Luna.

- And our dad works for Yahoo, where he interviews celebrities.

- And now it's our turn.

- Today, we're interviewing Lin Manuel Miranda.

- He's like the king of Disney.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

- Hi, Lin. We love "Encanto".

LIN MANUEL MIRANDA: Thank you so much. It's great to talk to you.

- You're welcome.

- You're welcome.

- What was your favorite part of working on "Encanto"?

LIN MANUEL MIRANDA: I loved getting to write Disney songs about how complicated it is to be a part of a family. And like you have an older sister, so I wrote songs about my sister. And I wrote songs about being the baby brother of the family. And it was really fun to sort of draw on my own family experience to write these tunes.

- The music was our favorite. So good.

LIN MANUEL MIRANDA: Thank you.

- You're welcome.

- You're welcome.

- How do you write music?

- Explain it so kids can understand and our dad.

KEVIN POLOWY: Thank you, Lyla.

LIN MANUEL MIRANDA: I have a very simple recipe. I try to imagine how I would feel as the character if I were in that situation. Then I talk to myself. And I sing to myself until it feels true and honest. And then I go to the piano and figure out what that sounds like.

- Did you write "Party In The USA"?

LIN MANUEL MIRANDA: Oh, I wish I wrote "Party In The USA".

- Did you write "Umbrella"?

LIN MANUEL MIRANDA: No, I didn't write it. But I wish I had. (SINGING) Ella, ella, eh, eh, uh, uh.

- Are you in "Star Wars"?

LIN MANUEL MIRANDA: I am in one of the "Star Wars" for a second. I play a rebel soldier. And I get to watch Chewbacca hug someone. And if you blink, you miss me in the movie. But I'm in it for like a nanosecond.

- What does "Encanto" mean?

LIN MANUEL MIRANDA: Well, the fun about "Encanto" is that it means a lot of different things. It means enchantment. It also means a delight. Sort of like this interview has been both enchanting and a delight.

- We knew that. We were just making sure you did.

- And our dad. He doesn't know anything.

KEVIN POLOWY: Thanks, Luna.

- How do you say Lyla and Luna are the coolest girls in the world in Spanish?

LIN MANUEL MIRANDA: [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] That was the Spanglish version.

- Gracias.

- Gracias.

LIN MANUEL MIRANDA: You're welcome.

KEVIN POLOWY: Don't trick Lin into complimenting you guys.

- You know what we call our daddy?

KEVIN POLOWY: Not again.

- Professor Poopy Brains.

KEVIN POLOWY: I'm not even a professor. It doesn't even make any sense.

[CHUCKLE]

- What's the deal with "Hamilton"?

- My name is Alexander Hamilton.

LIN MANUEL MIRANDA: I've been asking myself that question for 11 years. I'll let you know when I find out.

- Dad said you made Hamilton and now you're rolling in the Benjamins, whatever that means.

LIN MANUEL MIRANDA: No, I keep the Benjamins in a very neat little pile.

KEVIN POLOWY: That was just between us, guys.

LIN MANUEL MIRANDA: [CHUCKLE]

- So you made "Encanto", "Moana", and "Mary Poppins". Do you like own Disney now?

- Can you tell Mickey Mouse what to do?

LIN MANUEL MIRANDA: I can't, really. Mickey Mouse is kind of my boss. He tells me what to do.

- Can you make us another "Frozen" movie?

LIN MANUEL MIRANDA: "Frozen" is really more Kristen and Bobby Lopez's department than mine. But I wish I could.

- You are so much cooler than our dad.

KEVIN POLOWY: Guys.

LIN MANUEL MIRANDA: I think Professor Poppy Pants is doing great.

KEVIN POLOWY: Thank you, Lin. Thank you. Is there anything else you want to say to Lin?

- Don't forget to make Luna "Frozen 3".

- Please.

LIN MANUEL MIRANDA: Luna, I'll put in a good word with the Anderson-Lopezs.

- And thank you.

LIN MANUEL MIRANDA: (SINGING) Eh, eh, uh, uh.