Phuket’s Nene Royal to voice lead character in Disney’s Hexed

Sixteen-year-old Thai rocker Nene Royal will make her acting debut as the Thai voice of Billie Doe, the lead character in Disney’s animated film Hexed.

Royal, described in related Phuket coverage as Phuket’s own, has been cast in the Thai-language version of the Walt Disney Animation Studios feature, which is scheduled to open in Thai cinemas on 26 November. Hailee Steinfeld voices Billie in the original English-language version, while Rashida Jones voices her mother, Alice.

Hexed follows Billie, a teenager who discovers magical abilities and accidentally unleashes them. She is transported from ordinary suburban life to Hexe, a realm of witches, where she joins forces with Alice and uncovers a family secret with consequences for the magical world.

The film is directed by Fawn Veerasunthorn and Jason Hand, with Josie Trinidad as co-director. It is described as a fantasy adventure from the studio behind Frozen and Zootopia.

Speaking to TNN, Royal said she was pleased and excited to take her first voice-acting role in a major Disney production. She said she could relate to Billie because both characters are 16.

The casting comes weeks after Royal became the first Thai contestant to win America’s Got Talent. She won the show’s 21st season in September, taking the US$1 million prize after receiving a Golden Buzzer from judge Mel B and performing The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” in the final. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul congratulated her at the time, saying she had brought honour to Thailand.