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