As I mention in my hypothetical casting post for Dasha Grady, there are a few names to come in the conversation about who should be cast as Esmeralda. One of the names that come up is singer/actress Bianca Mihai
A Backstory that is often Better Omitted
In a perfect world it wouldn’t really matter who played Esmeralda. And for the record in smaller scale regional or school productions it really doesn’t matter. But in larger scale productions with high visibility, it does matter who plays Esmeralda*. The Romani people are still a by and large a repressed minority and casting performers for the role like Esmeralda would help give the Romani communities representation. It would also be great if productions also included the Romani community in other numerous aspects of the production.
A caveat I do see being mentioned with regard to Esmeralda’s casting is her backstory. In the book Esmeralda while raised by the Romani she is not of Romani decent. And while yes that is true there are two caveats, we don’t know who Esmeralda’s father was but we do know Esmeralda has black hair and dark eyes. To be honest, I would have to reread the book but I don’t think there was much of description of Esmeralda’s mother so who knows where Esmeralda got her dark feautures.
The second caveat is that adaptations typically makes Esmeralda a Roma to simplify her backstory. There three adaptations that go into a back story and one that sort hand-wave it off but mostly productions just omit her backstory although and make Esmeralda of Romani descent. And since they change it, it there for becomes important to cast a performer who can conceivably be of Romani decent. Best case a performer who is Romani and Bianca Mihai fits the bill as she is Romani.
Effortless and Genuine
Mihai is from Romania. She appeared on “Romanians Got Talent” and the judges dubbed her “The Girl with Hypnotic Eyes.” If she was being cast for in the mythical Disney live-action version or maybe more likely a musical theater version her voice would be right in range as she is mezzo-soprano. Her voice also is very rich and warm giving a lovely resonate which is perfect for many of Esmeralda’s song regardless of the musical. She would be right at home in either the Disney musical version or Notre Dame de Paris.
She has done a little acting most notably a play called Keres TikTok. She also appeared in an episode of Warriors Shoes. She also process a great stage presence so she could handle the role. In an interview she did mention that she loved acting.
She comes off a very intelligent, effortless, and warm. I could see her giving a lot of nuance, subtly, and genuineness to her depiction of the character.
A Definite Yes for this Fan-Cast
In addition to representation that she would bring to the role she also is good age range and a bonus she has hazel eye which are “Hypnotic.” While I do think Esmeralda should have darker hair (not blonde) I don’t think eye color matters. Green or hazel eyes are just a perk.
All in all Bianca Mihai would make an excellent Esmeralda for any version that chooses to make the character Romani. Literally perfect casting
* oddly enough I see quite a bit of discourse surrounding casting for the Disney musical version of Esmeralda but not so much for Notre Dame de Paris. There maybe but I have yet to come across such discord.
