D23 Expo kicked off on Friday, September 9, with a fantastic spectacle that includes the Disney Legends Awards ceremony. Disney CEO Bob Chapek gave fans an early look at Disney 100 Years of Wonder—an extraordinary celebration 100 years in the making—during the incredible opening event, which also feature musical performances, special guests, and surprises for the audience, including a special performance by cast members from Disney On Broadway’s productions of Aladdin and The Lion King, and the North American Tour of Frozen.
The Disney Legends Award was given to an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to the Disney legacy, and this year’s honorees include Anthony Anderson, Kristen Bell, Chadwick Boseman, Rob’t Coltrin, Patrick Dempsey, Robert Price “Bob” Foster, Jonathan Groff, Don Hahn, Josh Gad, Doris Hardoon, Idina Menzel, Chris Montan, Ellen Pompeo, and Tracee Ellis Ross.
DISNEY LEGENDS AWARD CEREMONY
Adassa at the Opening Ceremony of D23 Expo (Disney)Anthony Anderson, Mickey Mouse (Disney)Adassa, Mauro Castillo, Carolina Gaitán, Diane Guerrero (Disney)Carolina Gaitán, Mauro Castillo performed at the Opening Ceremony of D23 Expo (Disney)Carolina Gaitán at the Opening Ceremony of D23 Expo (Disney)Chris Montan at the Opening Ceremony of D23 Expo (Disney)Derrick Boseman (Brother of Chadwick Boseman) accepted the award for his brother at the Opening Ceremony of D23 Expo (Disney)Disney Ambassadors at the Opening Ceremony of D23 Expo (Disney)Diane Guerrero performed at the Opening Ceremony of D23 Expo (Disney)Anthony Anderson at the opening ceremony of D23 Expo (Disney)Idina Menzel at the Opening Ceremony of D23 Expo (Disney)Doris Hardoon, Mickey Mouse at the Opening Ceremony of D23 Expo (Disney)Ellen Pompeo, Mickey Mouse at the Opening Ceremony of D23 Expo (Disney)Idina Menzel, Josh Gad, Robert A. Chapek (Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company), Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff (Disney)Idina Menzel at the Opening Ceremony of D23 Expo (Disney)Josh Gad, Mickey Mouse at the Opening Ceremony of D23 Expo (Disney)Josh Gad at the Opening Ceremony of D23 ExpoPatrick Dempsey, Mickey Mouse, Jillian Dempsey (Disney)Kristen Bell at the Opening Ceremony of D23 Expo (Disney)Ellen Pompeo at the Opening Ceremony of D23 Expo (Disney)Kristen Bell at the Opening Ceremony of D23 Expo (Disney)Patrick Dempsey at the Opening Ceremony of D23 Expo (Disney)The Broadway Casts of “Aladdin” (Disney)The Broadway Casts of “Aladdin” (Disney)Rob’t Coltrin at the Opening Ceremony of D23 Expo (Disney)Tamron Hall at the Opening Ceremony of D23 Expo (Disney)Tracee Ellis Ross (Disney)Mickey Mouse, Tamron Hall (Disney)Jonathan Groff, Mickey Mouse at the Opening Ceremony of D23 Expo (Disney)Tracee Ellis Ross, Mickey Mouse (Disney)The Broadway Casts of “Aladdin,” “Frozen” and “The Lion King” (Disney)
Julie is the founder of SNAP TASTE and a driving force in global storytelling, innovation, and creative leadership. A respected member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, she also serves as a judge for the CES Innovation Awards (2024, 2025, and 2026), bringing her perspective to the intersections of business, culture, and breakthrough technologies.
Her immersive reporting has taken audiences behind the scenes of defining world moments, from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and Expo 2020 Dubai to CES, D23 Expo, and the Milano Monza Motor Show. Through her lens, global events become intimate, human stories.
An accomplished film critic and editorial voice, Julie has built a reputation for reviews that go beyond analysis, finding the heartbeat within the frame. Her work on National Geographic documentaries and other cinematic works speaks to audiences who believe that great storytelling has the power to shift perspectives and expand the world.
At the heart of everything Julie does is a belief that art, technology, and culture are not separate conversations. She has spent her career proving they never were.
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