Highlights from the Disney Upfront Event with Josh D’Amaro, Olivia Rodrigo, Anne Hathaway, Paul Anthony Kelly, and NFL Legends at North Javits
Disney made a spirited entrance at this year’s Upfronts, featuring a lively performance by the Savannah Bananas, who set the tone with a slightly discordant opening. The choice was fitting as the team’s second baseman, Jackson Olson, prepares to join the cast of Dancing with the Stars.
Despite the unconventional start, Disney had a notable highlight in store: a closing performance by singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo, who captivated the audience with a three-song set.
Following the Savannah Bananas, actress Anne Hathaway, from the upcoming film The Devil Wears Prada 2, introduced Disney’s new CEO, Josh D’Amaro.
This year marked a transition, as the stage was previously held by former CEO Bob Iger, who had presented for the past two years. D’Amaro now joins the ranks.
During his introduction, D’Amaro expressed his mix of nerves and excitement, saying, “This is my first Upfront as CEO of The Walt Disney Company, so naturally we decided to keep the pressure low and put a few thousand media executives in one room to stare at me,” before making a light-hearted reference to the New York Knicks.
He also took the opportunity to highlight Disney’s competitive edge, stating, “Everybody, in their own way, is racing to assemble something. Studios. Streaming services. Sports rights. Live events. Brands that audiences feel something about. It is, in a way, a real compliment to this company. Because what they are racing to assemble is, more or less, the picture of what we already are. The thing is, you cannot acquire a hundred years of trust. You can’t put generations of belonging on a balance sheet.”
Next, FX star Paul Anthony Kelly introduced ad executive Rita Ferro, setting the stage for discussions centered around Disney’s future.
In a nod to sports, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell joined commentator Joe Buck to announce that Disney will host the Super Bowl in 2027. NFL standout Jason Kelce accompanied a lineup of Super Bowl MVPs, including Troy Aikman and Peyton Manning, to highlight this significant event.
Goodell lightened the atmosphere with humorous interactions, embracing Buck in a manner reminiscent of his animated hugs at the NFL draft.
The presentation transitioned to television and film, featuring promotions for Hulu’s upcoming NFL drama The Land. This was followed by Dancing with the Stars highlights, including appearances from pros Mark Ballas and Val Chmerkovskiy, alongside actors like Sigourney Weaver discussing her new projects for Disney+.
On the cinematic front, Robert Downey Jr. presented an exciting teaser for Avengers: Doomsday, before being interrupted by Tom Hiddleston promoting his Nat Geo series Pompeii: Out of Time with Tom Hiddleston. Paul Bettany also shared a preview of the upcoming WandaVision spinoff VisionQuest.
The evening featured appearances from various network stars, including Quinta Brunson from Abbott Elementary and the ensemble from Scrubs.
The atmosphere turned eerie with news from American Horror Story, as Sarah Paulson and others welcomed Kelly to join the cast, saying, “We’ve been expecting you, Paul.”
As the program delved deeper, a trailer for FX’s adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’ The Shards was presented, showcasing a host of stars from various upcoming projects.
The night took a spirited turn with a segment featuring Shaquille O’Neal and Dallas Mavericks player Cooper Flagg, alongside Jalen Brunson, who had just celebrated a playoff victory.
One of the standout moments came from tennis legend Billie Jean King, who promoted her documentary, Give Me The Ball. In an empowering address, she said, “We’re just getting started,” before tossing autographed tennis balls to the audience.
Comedian Jimmy Kimmel rounded off the event with his signature humor, reflecting on the past year’s challenges and suggesting enjoyment amidst the chaos.
Closing the program, Kimmel’s daughter, Jane, introduced Olivia Rodrigo, who performed a three-song set, including her latest single. The performance culminated in a heartwarming moment as Rodrigo invited Jane Kimmel on stage to join in the final song.
“That’s it from me, probably forever,” Kimmel joked, leaving the audience eagerly anticipating next year’s event.
