Encanto star’s personal connection to Disney Christmas ad

Jessica Darrow has only recently joined the Disney family as fan-favourite Luisa Madrigal from the studio’s hit 2021 animated film, Encanto. After the breakout success of her hit song from the film, Surface Pressure, she has now teamed up with the company for a second time by recording the vocals for the new single, A Little More, for their heartwarming new Christmas advert and spoke exclusively to Express.co.uk about the experience.Disney singer Jessica revealed she burst into tears upon seeing Disney’s new Christmas campaign, The Gift.The final part of the studio’s ongoing campaign, From Our Family To Yours, concludes the touching multi-generational story of Nicole and her growing family.This year’s commercial focuses on Nicole’s daughter Ella, who is introduced to a baby brother after stepdad Mike joined the family last year.’There was one point where it feels like I’m talking to an old friend, almost,’ Jessica told Express.co.uk.READ MORE: BBC viewers call for Fiona Bruce to be ‘sacked’ from Question Time Encanto star shares personal connection to Disney Christmas advert after family loss (Image: Disney) Disney’s new Christmas advert hit close to home for Jessica (Image: Disney) The Gift: Jessica Darrow provides the vocals for Disney’s new Christmas advert (Image: Disney) The Gift: Ella welcomes a new member of the family (Image: Disney)In the first advert, Disney fans were introduced to Nicole’s grandmother, Lola, which struck a chord with Jessica following the recent death of her own grandmother.’It’s Nicole’s journey, watching her grow over time,’ she explained. ‘We see her with her grandma at first, and that really hit home for me.’That was truly the first thing that just made me sob. My abuela, my grandmother passed away last year.’She lived to be 99, so I just think, ‘Good genes, thank God!’ But she passed while I was recording Encanto and that’s something I was so excited for her to see.’DON’T MISS:The Walking Dead fans demand Rick and Judith reunion [REACTION]Bradley Walsh savages Pointless after Chase player error [VIDEO]Yellowstone’s Cole Hauser teases ‘more responsibility’ for Rip [INSIGHT]Jessica’s grandmother sadly died before she got the chance to witness her breakout role in Encanto.She went on: ‘Because of the connection of family and my own Cuban roots, I wanted her to see herself in a Disney film just as I was about to see myself.’Seeing Nicole’s relationship with her grandma in the first [advert] just made me think about her and how I used to take her for granted.’As I get older I’m also having to come to terms with that,’ she added. ‘So I’m simultaneously feeling like Ella, who’s scared of newness, but also Nicole who’s accepting it as time goes on. And finding the joy in it and passing it on to her daughter.’