If you are like me, you’re probably on the fan-casting side the internet, like such sites as mycast. Anyway if your are on The Hunchback of Notre Dame side of that site, which is more niche too be sure, you would see that one of the most frequent suggestions for Esmeralda is actress/singer Dasha Grady. Typically this is more for the “mythical” Disney live action remake but that’s only because it’s more popular for speculations.
Dasha Grady has a lot going for her with this hypothetical casting as she is of Romani descent which is a major positive. For the most part in many adaptations omit Esmeralda’s backstory entirely instead opting to make her a full Romani. There are some versions that skirt around her backstory to sort of hint at her backstory while still making her Romani, as giving plausible deniability that she could be either Romani or White European to some degree.
Ultimately it’s far simpler for a production to make Esmeralda Romani. This means that Esmeralda should be played by an actress who conceivably looks like she is of Romani descent to some degree but more preferably is actual Romani. Thus Dasha Grady fits the bill.
To add to this seeming perfectly casting, she’s currently in a good age range. She is also French National, and is a singer. I have read a little discourse online about her playing the Disney version, in that Grady has a lighter skin tone than Disney’s Esmeralda. I can only offer my own opinion of this but I would say that if Disney did change their minds and produce a live action version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame it would be a net positive of them to cast a Romani performers for the roles of characters that are Romani in the movie. Better still if they include the Romani community in different aspects the production. Like how amazing would it be if they got a Romani costume designer?
Typically when I do these hypthetical fan casting posts I do try to at least at the bare minimum by watching clips of their work and listen the performer’s singing to gain a better understanding of what they would be like the role, what a performer could offer to role that innate to there performance style, or if they up to task. Unfortunately with Dasha Grady, I can’t find anything nor am I willing to create accounts listen her songs. She seems to have a YouTube channel but there no videos. Her filmography is also quite spare.
According to her profile on mycast she has sung in a number styles including opera, jazz, gospel, commercial pop, synth pop, old-school pop, and R&B. In addition that reviews on songkick say she sings modern Romani and says she is reminiscent of a “young Emily Mae,” not sure what that means exactly but seems like a positive. Another songkick review says she has a warmth, is effortless and is playful. All that seems very in character for an Esmeralda.
Final Thoughts
So while I cannot be as definitive that Yes Dasha Grady would make a great Esmeralda, I do think she is very more than likely a competent singer and she has the right background and age. Not sure about acting ability but that can be taught.
At the very least Dasha Grady is a very compelling choice for playing Esmeralda and I for one would be all for the casting choice if it were to ever happen.
There’s something about her that reminds me of Demi Moore. I think it’s the eyes. I never heard of her, I’ll search her songs.