Disney Chooses Former Worship Leader to Play Princess Jasmine

This week’s Entertainment Weekly featured the cast of the new live-action remake of Disney’s Aladdin and gave fans their first look at stars Will Smith, Mena Massoud, and Naomi Scott. 

Scott, who will play the role of Princess Jasmine, is the daughter of two pastors and is a former worship leader herself. Scott’s parents, Chris and Usha, are pastors at the Bridge Church, which is affiliated with the Assemblies of God in Great Britain. The Bridge Church describes itself as “a community of ordinary people who have found peace, joy and purpose in an extraordinary God.”

In an interview earlier this year, Scott spoke to Hypebaeand testified to the formative role church played in her development as an artist. She said, “God is the ultimate creative force. Growing up in the Church fostered an inner spirituality that also introduced me to the concept of music having a deeper meaning. There has always been a connection between my faith and realizing that music can have a soul and purpose, which has ultimately affected the way I approach the art. Listening to soulful vocalists like Mary Mary and Kim Burrell; playing the piano, and leading worship has directly shaping my artistry.” 

Scott, who is also a recording artist, got her start singing in church and began songwriting when she was a teenager. She told the Huffington Post that, “I grew up singing in church…