Wish Actor NiKo Vargas Talks Voicing Hal and Seeing Their Dreams Come True

There truly couldn't be a more appropriate first major film role for actor NiKo Vargas than Disney's latest animated feature, Wish.

NiKo is an Afro-Latine nonbinary voice actor, as well as a vocalist, musician, writer, audio engineer and vocal coach, and even after being diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition at 19, their disability hasn't stopped them from going after their dreams as an actor and performer. In Wish, they play Hal, a friend of the main character, Asha, whose unfaltering optimism serves as a beacon of light for all of those around her.  Wish is now available digitally and will also be available on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD starting March 12, and ahead of the big release day, we got the chance to chat with NiKo all about their acting history, Wish and precisely what it means to them to join the Disney family.

Sweety High: When did you discover your passion for acting? Was there any specific a-ha moment that made you realize it was the path for you?

NiKo Vargas: I always like to say it all started in preschool with "The Itsy Bitsy Spider," where I, of course, played the spider. That's when it all began! From a young age, I loved acting, and I especially love Disney. I was convinced, and would tell my mom, I want to be a Disney star, and I want to be on Disney Channel. I used to go to my room and practice drawing the little Mickey Mouse ears that they do on the commercials. I don't think there was necessarily an a-ha moment for me. I think I've always been very theatrical from a young age, very out there, and it just kind of came naturally to me.

(© 2023 Disney. All Rights Reserved)

 

SH: Have you always been a big Disney fan? What did it mean to you to get to join that universe as Hal in Wish?

NV: I have always been a big Disney fan, and being able to join Disney means everything to me. It meant everything to me, and it continues to mean everything to me. It's something I am not quiet about. I'm so proud of myself. I'm so humbled. I'm so blessed, and to be able to be a part of something this big, especially the 100th anniversary of Disney as a whole, is just crazy, and it's something that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

 

SH: Can you tell us a little bit about Hal? Where does Hal fit into the bigger narrative of Wish?

NV: Hal is based off of Happy from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, so Hal embodies happiness! As far as where Hal fits in, Hal essentially works to bring hope to the teens, even in moments where it feels like everything is lost. Hal never gives up on Asha. Hal never gives up on the other teens. Hal is always there to remind everyone that even in moments where everything seems wrong, it's all going to come together in the end.

 

SH: How similar are you to Hal in real life? What would you say are your biggest similarities and differences?

NV: I'm super similar to Hal in real life! A lot of what Hal became was influenced by what I brought to the table. Initially, when I auditioned, I had been doing a voice for Hal and, as soon as I came to my first session, they told me they liked my voice and to just use my voice, which was super cool. I am definitely a super happy, jovial, bubbly person, so Hal just came very naturally to me. I didn't feel like I had to act very much! I am very optimistic, and I'm always trying to find joy and happiness. The world can be such a dreary, dark place sometimes, and I just feel like we need more people in the world who are optimistic. I don't think I have any differences from Hal! I think Hal is just me.

 

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SH: Was Hal's relationship to Snow White's Happy something that influenced your performance? 

NV: Yes, it was during the first session that I became aware of that! They were telling me a bit more about the movie and breaking down things for me and they surprised me with that fact. They told me I was one of the first to know that the teens were based on Snow White. Once I knew Hal was based off of Happy, that got the ball rolling, and I feel like that knowledge motivated me to infuse my performance with that information to bring Hal to life.

 

SH: What was your most memorable moment from recording for the film?

NV: [Laughs] So, I'm a squeaker. Whenever I get super happy or just excited, I squeak! I believe there were a couple times in the movie where they kept the squeaks from my recording. There were a few times where they would tell me to be happier and happier, and I would squeak like a very loud bird. Everyone would crack up and it was a lot of fun.

 

SH: What's been your favorite fan reaction to the film so far?

NV: I'm the eldest of four, and my whole family came out to watch the movie when it hit theaters. My youngest sister is 6 years old, and she actually had no idea whatsoever that I was in the movie. She absolutely loved the entire movie, so at the end, my mom looks at her and says, "You know that's NiKo, right?" Her eyes went wide and she screamed, "What?" I don't think she has ever looked at me the same again. I'm a celebrity to her now! It has been very cool to see the impact the movie has had on her. I am also a vocal coach, and my students were so excited to tell me that they saw my name in the credits. Seeing how it has affected the people in my life definitely takes the cake.

(© 2023 Disney. All Rights Reserved)

 

Also read about: Triple Threat Paris Joy Talks Her Passion for Acting and Short Film, The Final Curtain Call

 

SH: What's one thing you're proudest of right now?

NV: Definitely this movie! I'm so proud of being in this movie. This was the first film I ever worked on, which was huge for me. I'm manifesting that it's not my last! Being able to join the Disney family is just something I will forever be proud of, and I'm never going to stop talking about it. It's just so cool!

 

SH: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

NV: I just want people to know that their dreams are never out of reach, even if it feels like they are, even if it feels like the whole world is against you. I understand that feeling! I have a chronic heart condition that I was born with, and I grew up less fortunate. We were not very well off, and I always felt like the odds were against me. Now that I work with kids as a vocal coach, I try to enforce that positive belief in them. I tell them they can do anything they set their mind to, even if that sounds cliche, even if it sounds corny, it's true. You're only as good at something as you are passionate. The more passion that you have for what you're doing, the better off you're going to be. If you're passionate about something, keep doing it, even if it feels like no one wants to hear what you have to say, eventually you'll fall on the right ears or eyes. You can never predict when it will happen.

Getting the role of Hal was completely unpredictable because the audition came completely out of nowhere. It was not something that I had planned for, but it was something that was requested of me because I persevered, and I continued to do what I love to do, even with my declining health and everything being against me. Just keep doing what you love, because good things are bound to come. There's nothing negative that can come of you continuing to do what you love.

(© 2023 Disney. All Rights Reserved)

 

For more insights from our favorite actors, click HERE to read our interview with Isaac Arellanes on his work in My Life With the Walter Boys.