With many members of the LGBTQ+ community still unable to celebrate Pride in person, Disney+ created a fun and entertaining package of content with a virtual show called This Is Me: Pride Celebration Spectacular. Hosted by drag queen Nina West, the show was a celebration of Disney songs performed by artists in the LGBTQ+ community, plus Kermit the Frog. During the 35-minute program, the host managed to change dresses five times, starting with a ball gown inspired by Cinderella Castle, complete with fireworks bursting from her shoulders. Nina West also kicked off the performances with her rendition of “Be Our Guest,” during which all of the various pride flags were pulled back like curtains.
With some pretty big headliners, including Todrick Hall and Hayley Kiyoko, the show started teasing Kermit’s performance almost right away through a series of video calls to the host, asking about what he should wear.
Earlier this month, Disney’s a capella group DCapella debuted their new single, “This is Me” from The Greatest Showman. With a music video celebrating LGBTQ+ couples, the group gave a virtual performance of the inspiring anthem, which also gave the show it’s title.
Nina West made Disney fans of all backgrounds feel welcome and shouted out two Disney+ originals, Pixar Sparkshorts Out and the inclusive storytelling on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Welcoming real-life couple Frankie Rodriguez and Joe Serafini, the duo performed “A Whole New World” from Aladdin.
Since High School Musical: The Musical: The Series is about teenagers, Nina West took a moment to mention Disney’s support of GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network), an organization that works to create safe education experiences for students. The next performance was by drag queen Jackie Cox who kept to the Disney+ theme by performing “Agatha All Along” from WandaVision.
Big Sky star Jesse James Keitel performed “When She Loved Me” from Toy Story 2, representing non-binary members of the LGBTQ+ community. In her intro, Jesse said she chose this song because it reminds her of the good relationship she has with her mother and how not all people are as fortunate.
Broadway shows reopen this fall, which includes Disney’s Aladdin. Michael James Scott portrays Genie in the Broadway cast and performed a version of “Friend Like Me” in his own personal style.
Alex Newell was next with a performance of “Poor Unfortunate Souls” from The Little Mermaid, done in character as Ursula.
Todrick Hall put a new spin on Phil Collins’ “You’ll Be In My Heart” from Tarzan, transforming it into a dance song.
In the introduction to the next song, “Kiss the Girl” portrayed by Hayley Kiyoko, Nina West took a moment to honor Howard Ashman. The lyricist behind the song was part of the LGBTQ+ community and passed away due to complications from AIDS. His life was recently honored in the Disney+ original film Howard.
Nina West’s final dress proved that it’s not easy being green as she joined Kermit, who settled on just being himself. Nina told him that’s what pride’s all about, but he did decorate his banjo with a rainbow strap and heart.
The two sang “Rainbow Connection” as a duet and at the end, Nina West confessed that Kermit the Frog is her hero. Through years of entertainment, Kermit helped her feel like she belonged.
Signing off at the end of the show, Nina West summed up the true spirit of Pride: “Love each other and yourself.”
You can stream the entire event anytime on the official Disney+ YouTube channel.