Ariel Winter on returning as 'Sofia the First' in new Disney Jr. series

Updated 23 minutes ago
One of Disney Junior's most popular characters is back in the all-new series, "Sofia the First: Royal Magic."

In the new show coming to Disney Jr. and Disney+, Princess Sofia is attending a new school just for young princes and princesses with special magical powers.

Ariel Winter, who first started voicing Sofia while also starring as a kid on "Modern Family," tells On The Red Carpet that even as an adult, the Sofia voice comes naturally.

"It actually isn't difficult at all," she said. "It kind of just happens. It's not something that I really have to like practice or work at. It just is there."

Winter showed just how quickly she can slip into the character when our producer brought his 4-year-old daughter to our interview.



"Do you want to hear me do the voice?" Winter asked her young fan.

"Hi, Noelle. I'm Sofia," she said, effortlessly switching voices and earning a big smile and giggle from the little girl. Hear for yourself in the video player above.

The original "Sofia the First" series debuted in 2012 and became one of Disney's most successful preschool franchises ever.

"I feel honored to be Sofia for all these years," Winter said. "Now as a grown woman, thinking about one day I'll have my own kids that will see the show. And they'll be able to learn lessons that are so invaluable, the kindness, the empathy, the things that I think really are so needed in the world today."

Craig Gerber, who created the original series and the new reboot, praised his show's star.



"I don't think we can do this without Ariel," he said. "Ariel, you know, she created the character with a voice. She brought so much charm and warmth and humor to the role."

The new series features new characters, new songs and yes, new cameos from the other Disney princesses like Rapunzel, Jasmine and Cinderella.

"The one that I'm most excited about is Moana," Gerber said, "because she wasn't around when we did the first series, number one and number two, she's such a great character."

"Sofia The First: Royal Magic" premieres May 25 on Disney Jr. and next day on Disney+.

Disney is the parent company of Disney Jr., Disney+ and this station.
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