Disney movie delight for talented Lobinstown star

Eleven-year-old Lobinstown girl, Rachel Duff had the opportunity of a lifetime when she was chosen to star as the young Morgan alongside Patrick Dempsey and Amy Adams in newly released Disney movie ‘Disenchanted’.

Rachel, who is a sixth class pupil in Heronstown NS, features in the flashback and memory clips as the young Morgan, and spent two full days filming with Patrick Dempsey and Amy Adams, in the summer of 2021.

Last weekend, Rachel attended the cast and crew screening of the movie in the Lighthouse cinema along with her parents Joan and Noel, and sisters Emma and Sarah and was thrilled to see her name on the big screen.

The youngster has attended the Born to Perform Stage School in Ardee since she was three and loves performing. She went to the audition for the role of young Morgan and was thrilled to make the shortlist and couldn’t believe it when she got the call that she had the part.

Despite their excitement, Rachel and her family had to remain tightlipped about her involvement until the movie was released. Mum Joan said it was an opportunity of a lifetime and that Rachel loved every moment.

“She loved it. She's only a normal little girl. To get such a massive opportunity... It just goes to show that anyone can have their dreams come through and if you don't put yourself forward, you'd never get the chance."

“She was treated like a little princess from the second she got there, even from the second we got the call. They were all so lovely to her.

“It gave her a great insight into acting and what goes on behind the scenes."

She first met Patrick Dempsey while they were both getting their hair done and Joan said he was so nice and chatted to her about her school, and football and about his kids.

Rachel plays the young Morgan, and her mum Joan explained that she stars in most of the memory clips that fade in and out in the part of the song by her idol Idina Medzel whom she has adored since long before filming Disenchanted.

“She was young Morgan and filmed all the memory bits in the bubbles and memories floating by. Even all the animated bits had to be filmed which she actually had 11 costumes for.

“Every night before filming we were put up in the Intercontinental Hotel we and had a chauffeur collect us every morning and bring us back in the evening. Before filming we had to go up to the RDS for 10 days for hair, make up and clothes trials." “We were thrilled when we realised Rachel was working side by side with Patrick Dempsey and Amy Adams for two full days.

“Rachel had her own trailer right beside all the main cast with her name on it. She had the most amazing time filming and everyone made her feel so special.

“Rachel was a natural and even though there were cameras and people everywhere watching her it didn't faze her in the slightest, she just chatted and smiled and got on with her job."

After filming was complete, when they came home from holidays there was a big box outside the door from Disney with a special edition Disenchanted rucksack and notes from Amy Adams and Maya Rudolph and the producers thanking Rachel for her

She was also very excited to invite ten of her friends to join her family for a special screening at their home where they projected it onto a big screen.