It’s a common dream for many little girls to want to grow up to be a princess. Malibu’s Haylee Joseph is now living that dream, playing Princess Belle at Disneyland.
For more than a year, Joseph has been making the long drive to Anaheim where she dresses up as the lead character in “Beauty and the Beast.”
“Growing up, I always dreamed of being a princess. When I was 17, I saw a video of two retired Disney princesses and I was like, ‘Wow, you can actually be a Disney princess?’ It never occurred to me that that was a job,” Joseph explained. Soon after, Joseph auditioned and didn’t get the job because she was too young. When she went back, she aced the audition.
“They actually remembered me, which is crazy because at these auditions there are thousands of girls,” she said. Joseph signed her contract one day before turning 18.
Singing, dancing and acting since in Malibu since childhood, she was also asked to audition for parades and was hired again, working as Belle in the “Paint the Night Parade,” where she leads the float carrying other iconic princesses. She also booked “Mickey’s Soundsational Parade.”
“With how I look, having brown hair and light eyes, I figured that would be the princess I would most likely be cast as. Belle was always one of my favorites — I love to be Belle. That was definitely the princess I was hoping for, but I would have taken any princess.
“I’m very happy with Belle. I like that she’s independent. She’s a strong princess. She’s not timid. She has a good positive message. I like her story. She’s different than the rest.”
She also shared stories of her experience working at Disneyland — her favorite of which are interactions with guests.
“Working at the park there’s so many amazing things that happen, but the best are when little kids – little girls and little boys – come up to you, and they are so inspired by the story,” she described. “I love when little girls are dressed up in Belle costumes and they’ve come all this way and they want to know where the Beast is and what I’ve been doing. All those moments are definitely so special. And then you get adults that have grown up with Belle’s story and they’re crying when they meet you because they – well – you’re their idol. That’s amazing.”
When asked if some people try to stump her with bizarre questions Joseph typically replies, “It’s Disney magic.”
Joseph, who attended Webster Elementary and Our Lady of Malibu schools, said the magic started on one of her first days as Belle, when a fellow cast member told her that some guests were hoping she would help them break the news to their children that they were having another baby.
“I got to hold these pins that said ‘big sister’ and ‘big brother,’” she recalled. “The family came up to me and I got to tell them that they were having a little sister. That was a really special family moment I got to be a part of.”
While most people are aware that some full-body character costumes can be very heavy, many would be surprised to learn that Belle’s dress weighs 30 pounds — and Joseph says it can get very hot, too. She’s only allowed to work three days in a row in order to prevent potential back problems. When she kneels to accommodate some of her little fans, she physically has to lift the weight of the dress to stand upright again.
“We’re trained to make it look seamless,” she described.
Her parade dresses are much lighter, to facilitate movement. Joseph as “Belle” typically meets guests at Ariel’s Grotto in the park and sometimes at the main gate.
“I love meeting the guests. They’re special memories for both sides — for me and the people I’m meeting,” she said. “The parades are also fun. It’s the best feeling to see all these people so excited to see you, and the music’s amazing. There’s thousands of people lined up.” When asked how long she’ll work as Belle Joseph replied, “Disney’s awesome. I’d love to stay for as long as I can.”
“It’s a competitive but rewarding experience,” Joseph’s mother June added. “After all the hard work and love of things Disney, I get emotional seeing my daughter in costume. It’s magical. Everyone I bring to see her cries saying how beautiful she looks. It’s overwhelming and joyful.”
Joseph, now 19, has been dancing, singing and acting for 15 years. She’s currently looking for representation for acting and modeling.
