From Broadway to Disney: Michael James Scott's Journey of Revelation

In an age of change and revelation, 13-year-old Michael James Scott entered a major turning point in his life. When he first set foot in New York City to see "Beauty and the Beast" on Broadway, he barely realized how profoundly it would affect his future. At the Palace Theatre, a dancing spoon, a "dark chocolate dot", opened the door to a whole new world of people like him on stage. This experience not only sparked his love for the performing arts, but also opened his eyes to the endless possibilities of being a black queer performer in the art world.

Moving from Baltimore to Orlando, Scott's life changed forever. His family wanted him to have more opportunities, and that desire eventually led him to the doors of the Walt Disney World Resort. Although finances limited his childhood exploration of Disney, he later began working in the parade department at Walt Disney World during his high school years, which set the stage for his later career.

Scott's story is one of self-discovery, courage, and holding on to a dream. His journey from being a teenager curious about the stage, to becoming the amazing Elf character in Elf, to kicking off the resort's Black History Month celebrations in February 2024 as Grand Marshal of the Magic Kingdom Parade, has been filled with challenges and opportunities every step of the way. Along the way, he not only found his place on stage, but also bravely confronted his sexuality and, with the support of his family, became a proud cisgender black male.

Scott's story is also one of change and growth, reflecting on the importance of his own identity and voice in the world in 2020, when Broadway closed due to the lockdown and at the height of George Floyd's protests against police brutality and the 'Black Lives Matter' movement. This period was not only one of the busiest of his professional career, but also an important stage in his personal growth. He decided to stop being silent, to stop apologizing for taking up space, and to stand on stage as a happy, proud black male, using his art as both protest and celebration.

Michael James Scott's story is one of dreams, identity and change. Not only did he play Aladdin on Broadway for ten years, but he also realized his dreams in his personal life. His story encourages all of us, regardless of our background or identity, to be brave enough to pursue our dreams and find our voice and place in the process.