Disney has just unveiled the illustrious roster of this year's 14 Legends of the House of Mouse set to receive their esteemed honors at the upcoming D23 Fan event scheduled for August 2024, as disclosed by Entertainment Weekly.
The announcement, made on Tuesday, March 19th, 2024, showcased a diverse array of luminaries, including the multitalented Hannah Montana star, Miley Cyrus, and the iconic figures of adventure, Harrison Ford from Indiana Jones, and the Star Wars saga. Among these illustrious names stands Angela Bassett, acclaimed for her groundbreaking role in the 2022 Marvel blockbuster "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," marking her as the first performer to secure an Oscar nomination for a Marvel movie.
Bob Iger, Disney's CEO, emphasized the significance of being designated a Disney Legend, dubbing it as the apex of recognition within the company, exclusively reserved for individuals whose exceptional talents and contributions have etched an indelible mark in Disney's storied legacy.
The 14 individuals selected as Disney Legends this year have each left an indelible mark on the vast tapestry of Disney's creative landscape, transcending boundaries and enriching the Disney experience for audiences worldwide. The anticipation mounts for their celebratory accolades at D23, the ultimate Disney Fan event, slated to take place from August 9th to August 11th, 2024, in Anaheim, California.
Amidst the excitement surrounding the event, rumors swirl regarding Prince Harry's purported efforts to secure VIP tickets for himself and his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, who reportedly plans to grace the event's red carpet. While speculations abound about the motives behind Prince Harry's outreach to Disney's CEO, Bob Iger, it underscores the potential synergy between Hollywood royalty and the Disney brand, offering a tantalizing prospect for mutual promotion.
However, Prince Harry's attempts to navigate the intricacies of Hollywood's inner circles face scrutiny in light of recent revelations. Reports emerge from Desi Stars Girl's Fun Club, alleging that Meghan Markle faced ridicule from singer Usher Raymond during the 55th NAACP Image Awards, an event dedicated to honoring Black excellence in entertainment.
Usher's acceptance speech for "Outstanding Entertainer of the Year" took an unexpected turn, with veiled references that seemingly targeted Meghan Markle, stirring a maelstrom of controversy on social media. As Usher took to the stage at the Dolby Theater, the atmosphere crackled with anticipation, only to be punctuated by his deviation from scripted remarks. His invocation of "yacht rock royalty" as a euphemism for perceived detachment from the struggles championed by the NAACP inadvertently cast a shadow over Meghan's advocacy efforts.
This incident comes in the wake of Prince Harry and Meghan's previous appearance at the NAACP Image Awards, where they presented the inaugural NAACP R2 Digital Civil Rights Award to Dr. Safiya Noble, lauding her pioneering work as a scholar, author, and advocate at the UCLA Center for Critical Internet Inquiry. The juxtaposition of Meghan's advocacy and her alleged ridicule on a prominent platform underscores the complexities of navigating public perception amidst the convergence of entertainment and social activism.
