Scarlett Spears has taken over the role of Bonnie for her first major voiceover role in this week’s release of Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5, and she attended the film’s premiere on Thursday 11th June alongside a cast including Tom Hanks (Woody), Tim Allen (Buzz Lightyear) and Joan Cusack (Jessie). For the feature film Wicked: For Good, Scarlett played Young Galinda, with Ariana Grande-Butera playing the older version of Glinda, and last November, she reunited with the cast for the premiere at David Geffen Hall, with Karis Musongole (Young Elphaba) and Cesily Collette Taylor (Young Nessarose) also in attendance. Last year, Scarlett played Young Dora (Dora the Explora) in Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado, with Samantha Lorraine playing the older character, and it has been announced that Scarlett will be playing Zoe in the upcoming Netflix crime thriller film The Last Mrs. Parrish, which stars Jennifer Lopez as Daphne Parrish and is directed by Robert Zemeckis. Since 2022, Scarlett has played the recurring role of Donna Corinthos in the US soap opera General Hospital, with her on-screen father Sonny played by Maurice Benard, who has been in the show since 1993. We talked to Scarlett about voicing Bonnie in this week’s release of Toy Story 5, her time filming for Wicked: For Good as Young Galinda, playing Young Dora in Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado and her recurring character Donna Corinthos in General Hospital.

In the new release of Toy Story 5, you have taken over the role of Bonnie; can you tell us about the character and what was she like to play?

Bonnie is an eight-year-old little girl. She loves playing with her toys, and using her imagination for play time! She gets a Lilypad, and she has to learn how to balance her screen time, friends and toys!

Had you seen the previous four Toy Story films before auditioning and how did you feel booking the role of Bonnie for the new film?

Yes! My mom watched all the movies when she was a little girl, and we were able to watch the movies together!

I was SO excited when I heard I got the part, I cried!!

What did a typical day in the recording studio look like for this role and did you get chance to meet any of the other cast members whilst recording?

Well, a typical day was going into the studio, standing behind the microphone, putting my headsets on, and saying my lines!! Doc would tell Andrew (Stanton) if everything sounded good, and Andrew and McKenna (Harris) would tell me how they wanted me to say my lines!

I did get to meet Greta Lee one day when I was leaving the studio – she was nice!

Other than Bonnie, do you have a favourite character in the Toy Story films?

I really love Jessie… and Buzz Lightyear… Bullseye is pretty cute too!

How did you find the experience working on your first major voiceover role?

It was AWESOME!!! I had so much fun!!!

What was it like being on the set of Wicked: For Good, and what were your scenes like to film?

Being on set was really cool, they were really big, and so neat!!

My scenes were really fun because I shot a birthday scene! I felt really special, and even had bubbles on set!

How did you prepare for playing Young Galinda, and how was it getting into character?

I watched Wicked, and I already loved the character! I just learned how to toss toss, and be fancy like Galinda!!! She’s funny, and so am I!

What was it like attending the New York premiere at David Geffen Hall in November and reuniting with Ariana Grande-Butera (Glinda), Karis Musongole (Young Elphaba), Cesily Collette Taylor (Young Nessarose) and the rest of the cast?

It was so much fun!! I loved getting to see them again! Ariana is just so nice. I got to meet Cynthia (Erivo) for the first time, and she was just awesome!

I got to hang out with Cesily and Karis, and we got to go to a Broadway show and had a blast!! I just love them all!

Do you have any stand-out highlights from your time working on Wicked: For Good that you can share?

I loved being able to see the actors do a dance number with Ariana – that was very special!!!

How was it being involved with a Dora the Explorer film last year when you played Young Dora in Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado?

I had SO much fun!! It was hot!!! But it was so fun being on set!!!! I loved making friends, and swimming!!

How different was Dora to play than your other characters, and how was it playing the younger version of Samantha Lorraine?

It was really cool! I got to cut my hair really short, and wear super cool clothes! I didn’t get to do any stunts, but I felt like an exploradora!

It has been announced that you will be playing Zoe in the upcoming Netflix crime thriller film The Last Mrs. Parrish, which stars Jennifer Lopez as Daphne Parrish and was directed by Robert Zemeckis, what can you tell us about filming this?

It’s based on a book! I haven’t read the book, but they say it was really good! I can’t say much more about it, but I had fun! Stay tuned!

Having been part of four major film releases in the last two years, how do you feel on the release day of your projects and what is it like watching/hearing yourself on screen?

It’s been amazing. I always have a great time! I love getting special clothing made, and getting ready for the day. It’s always so special to see everything I’ve worked so hard for come to life! It’s such a great feeling!

Since 2022, you have been playing recurring character Donna Corinthos in General Hospital, how was it joining the cast and what do you remember from your first day on set?

My first day on set I was in a Halloween episode and had fun! I love everyone I work with, especially my dad Sonny (Maurice Benard) – we always have fun on set!

What do you enjoy about playing Donna, and what is it like filming for a soap opera?

Donna is sweet, and I’m sweet, so it’s like playing myself!!

Filming a soap opera is quick, but really fun.

How did you get into acting, and did you always know you wanted to do it professionally?

My mom put me in modelling because people said I was cute! Our manager found us online, and when we signed with her, I started getting auditions for commercials and shows.

My mom said I learned my lines quickly, so it was easy for me!

I love acting, I love travelling, I love being on set, and I love making new friends!! I just love it all!

What are some of your favourite films and TV shows to watch?

My favourite movie has got to be Descendants. I also love Henry Danger and Victorious.

How do you like to spend your time away from acting?

I love swimming – my mom calls me a water baby!! I also love playing with my Barbies, my baby dolls and making crafts!!! I also love making up my own dances, and singing!

What are you hoping this year brings you, and do you have any further projects coming up that you can talk about?

I hope I can keep doing what I love – which is acting, of course! I hope to travel more, and maybe even book a movie with some of my favourite actors (Tom Holland, Zendaya, Tom Hanks, Selena Gomez, Margot Robbie and Johnny Depp)!

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