Disney Inaugurated The Latest Class Of Disney Legends And Here Are Their Proudest Moments

Christina Aguilera, Jon Favreau, Wing T. Chao, and Robert Downey Jr.

Damjan

• Published in Film & TV
• April 30, 2022

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club is the official fan club of Disney. It was founded in 2009, and it is mostly for its biennial event, the D23 Expo. Dedicated to all things Disney. It's a Disney fan's dream come true!

Everything from Marvel and Disney Studios films to television series, products, and theme parks can be found at D23 Expo. The name D23 comes from D for Disney and 23 for 1923, which is the year Walt Disney founded the company.

During the 2022 D23 Expo, Disney inaugurated their newest class of Disney Legends. The Disney Legends Awards are a Hall of Fame program that honors people who have made a significant and lasting impact on The Walt Disney Company.

The award was first awarded in 1987 and was usually given out once a year during a private ceremony; however, since 2009, it has been given every two years during Disney's D23 Expo.

The award depicts the arm of Mickey Mouse holding a star-tipped wand. Even though it is not made of gold, some people find it more important because it represents a reward for giving 100% to the fans and never wanting anything in return.

Take a look at what this year's recipients had to say:

1. Christina Aguilera

Iconic Disney achievements: recording "Reflection" for the Mulan soundtrack and Mickey Mouse Club House.

What she's most proud of: "It's not the highlights so much as getting back up after the hardships...that's always deeper to me than the accolades...You know, being able to look at yourself and being unafraid to take off the mask and be unafraid to speak your truth and be who you are, those are amazing messages that I'll pass on to my children."

2. Jon Favreau

His work for Disney: He's the director of Disney's The Lion King, The Jungle Book, and he plays Happy in the MCU.

What he's most proud of: "I think it's when I interact directly with the audience. And D23 is one of those places where that happens. We've shown footage here and got the immediate reaction — especially when you're with the cast — to get the feedback and appreciation from an audience that is seeing it for the first time, that's the magic moment.

I remember every time we've shown the footage, whether it was for Jungle Book or Lion King. Hopefully today, for The Mandalorian, people will be excited to see it. But those are the moments that I remember the most."

3. Kenny Ortega

His work for Disney: Choreographer and director of Descendants and High School Musical.

What he's most proud of: "A lot of people thought that musicals were dead. The music and dance and storytelling were like a thing of the past. And what I'm most proud of is that I didn't quit on myself and I didn't quit believing or dreaming that it was possible to resurrect and inspire a generation of storytelling with music and dance, and I'm grateful to the Disney Company for giving me that shot.

I'm proud of myself for, you know, having stuck with my guns and not giving up. Look at where it's gotten me!"

4. Barnette Ricci

Her achievements with Disney: She was a senior show director at Disneyland.

What she's most proud of: "I would have to say Fantasmic! — it was my creation. That was something that I dreamt up and envisioned and brought to life."

5. Wing T. Chao

His achievements with Disney: He was a Disney Imagineer who worked on Epcot, and Disney in Paris and Hong Kong.

What he's most proud of: "It's about teamwork and working together. My team worked so hard, you know, weekends, long hours...It's all about what we do for the guests — to make their experience memorable.

Whatever we do is all for their enjoyment. Yeah, it's not for us. When the fans love it, then that's how we know we did a good job."

6. Robert Downey Jr.

His work with Disney: He played Iron Man in the MCU.

What he's most proud of: No comment:)

Other Disney Legend recipients were James Earl Jones, Bette Midler, Diane Sawyer, Robin Roberts, Reporter, Ming-Na Wen, and Hans Zimmer. The show attracts a lot of attention and an audience.

On average, more than 100,000 people visit Anaheim Arena every two years to see D23 Expo. Can't wait for the next one!

Damjan