It was a regular chilly September afternoon in Germany when Isadora’s flip phone buzzed with an international number.
She was sitting cross-legged in her room, a mug of chamomile tea in hand, sketching possible designs for their next band tee. When she answered, the voice on the other end was polished, American, and fast-talking.
> “Miss Almeida? This is a production at Walt Disney Studios. We’re rebooting Anastasia for a 2004 theatrical re-release. Your voice made its way to our music directors.”
She sat up straighter, heart pounding.
> “We’d like you to record a fresh vocal for Once Upon a December. A dreamier, early-2000s version. The film is being modernized with a new animation style — think elegant but edgy. We want your voice as the centerpiece.”
Isadora blinked, lips parted in disbelief.
> “Wait—me? Like me?”
> “We’ve heard your range, the emotion. You’re perfect for it. Can you be in Los Angeles by Thursday?”
Her tea spilled, forgotten on her notebook.
She landed at LAX with Nina by her side, both wearing oversized sunglasses and denim miniskirts. Isadora had butterflies the whole flight, but as soon as she stepped out and saw the small welcome sign held by a Disney assistant — “Welcome Isadora Almeida” — it hit her.
> This was real.
They were driven to a boutique hotel in West Hollywood, a room stocked with vocal tea, fresh fruit, and a note from the producers:
> “We’re honored to have you. Let’s create magic.”
The next morning, Isadora stepped into the legendary Capitol Studios, where the original Disney score had been remastered.
The orchestration for Once Upon a December played softly in the booth’s speakers. Candlelight shimmered in the mood-lit studio, and she wore soft headphones with a glass panel separating her from the full team of producers and sound engineers.
> “Take your time,” one said. “Feel it.”
She closed her eyes, let the violins swell, and began:
> “🎶 Dancing bears, painted wings... 🎶”
Her voice was haunting, velvet-smooth, laced with longing. By the time she reached the second verse, the sound engineer had tears in his eyes.
After her third take, the room was silent. Then: roaring applause from behind the glass.
> “That’s the one,” someone whispered. “That’s our Anastasia.”
By the next morning, it was everywhere.
"German-Brazilian Teen Star Isadora Almeida Chosen as Voice of Anastasia in 2004 Revival!"
Clips of her performance aired on MTV Germany, TRL, and even made it to Entertainment Tonight in the U.S.
> “You hear the ache in her voice?” a music critic said on national TV. “It’s like she lived this song.”
Fans online — on MySpace forums, fan blogs, and early social media boards — blew up with praise.
> “She sounds like a dream.”
“I didn’t know I needed emo-Anastasia until now.”
“Isadora is THAT girl.”
Her band, Phantom Youth, reposted the article on their page with the caption:
> "Our girl’s about to be a Disney legend 🥹✨."
Back in the hotel, Tom had watched the announcement on TV, jaw slack.
> “Bro,” Bill said beside him, eyes glued to the screen. “That’s our Isadora.”
> “She’s the damn princess of Germany now.”
When Isadora came back from recording, still buzzing with adrenaline, Tom pulled her into the hallway of the hotel and hugged her so tight she squeaked.
> “You killed it,” he whispered. “You looked like you were floating on clouds in there.”
She grinned. “You really think so?”
> “I know so. You made that whole place feel like December.”
Her red carpet debut at the film’s re-release premiere was electric. She wore a modern take on Anastasia’s ball gown — a crimson silk gown, vintage-styled curls, soft sparkly makeup, and Tom by her side in a classic black jacket and white tee, his signature beanie on.
Cameras flashed. People cheered.
She posed, waved, then whispered to Tom:
> “Promise me this won’t change anything.”
> “Nothing changes,” he said. “Except now you’re a princess… and
I’m dating royalty.”
YOU ARE READING
"Strings Between Us
Romance2004. Germany. Tom Kaulitz is used to getting what he wants - the stage, the crowd, the girls. As Tokio Hotel begins to rise, so does his ego... until she shows up. She's the Brazilian guitarist in a rival band - quiet, sharp-tongued, and completely...
