‘Anastasia’ Singer Liz Callaway Recalls Best Songs, Responses From Fans | TODAY Originals

Liz Callaway, who sang “Once Upon a December” in the 1997 movie “Anastasia,” shares what it’s like to be a part of such a beloved film.
» Subscribe to TODAY: on.today.com/Su...
» Watch the latest from TODAY: bit.ly/LatestTODAY
About: TODAY brings you the latest headlines and expert tips on money, health and parenting. We wake up every morning to give you and your family all you need to start your day. If it matters to you, it matters to us. We are in the people business. Subscribe to our channel for exclusive TODAY archival footage & our original web series.
Connect with TODAY Online!
Visit TODAY's Website: on.today.com/Re...
Find TODAY on Facebook: on.today.com/Li...
Follow TODAY on Twitter: on.today.com/Fo...
Follow TODAY on Instagram: on.today.com/In...
Follow TODAY on Pinterest: on.today.com/Pi...
#Anastasia #LizCallaway #TodayShow
‘Anastasia’ Singer Liz Callaway Recalls Best Songs, Responses From Fans | TODAY Originals

[@mi-zi-ni]

When she started singing Once Upon a December in the beginning nostalgia punched me in the face

[@sweetcinnamonpnchkin]

I got goosebumps!

[@mi-zi-ni]

sweetcinnamonpnchkin right?!

[@salemsalem1440]

This comment made me cry with laughter

[@Ten13Grl]

I get songs from this movie stuck in my head all of the time! Mostly 'Learn To Do It' because I work with pets and see a lot of orange tabbies up for adoption. "And I recall his yellow cat!" "I don't believe we told her that..."

[@VJRify]

Me too

[@camillewilliams7646]

Anastasia was THAT movie for me as a child. Its so underrated.

[@heartlacies]

Camille Williams underrated? Hardly. It was one of Don Bluth’s most successful movies, made over $130m and has a successful board way adaption.

[@Mika-oi1se]

PREACH

[@TahtahmesDiary]

SO good, they created such a beautiful concept and world based on history...Its sad many often forget it!

[@CoraimaGlz]

milkytwix yes but not a lot of people give it the credit as much as the little mermaid, beauty and the beast etc.

[@digdog66]

@@CoraimaGlz agreed it's less talked about when mentioning 20-30 year old movies

[@KingOfGaymes]

HOW DOES SHE STILL SOUND THE SAME IM SHOOK

[@kristhealayson4949]

U should hear Lea Salonga ✨

[@sydneyreid7401]

Yami Yugi takes care of her self and such

[@denisewalsh6586]

Hitting and holding all the high notes perfectly like 20 years ago..miraculous.

[@rokuwhitefox]

Me: Is this really her? *she sings* Me: IT'S HER.

[@ariellewht]

Rokufox 😊😊😊😊

[@itzwanimereacts]

No fr😂

[@kathrin-mariasamarrastehle6538]

I will always love her signing voice.

[@eamonndeane587]

Isn't it just Divine?

[@starlygacha1995]

Kathrin-Maria Samarra Stehle same

[@nerdyempress6745]

Singing not signing

[@kathrin-mariasamarrastehle6538]

@@nerdyempress6745 :-P

[@natsohigh5552]

She doesn't sing like an animated voice kinda person. I think that's why I like her voice so much.

[@soulsisterwillis]

When I was pregnant with my daughter I would sing "once upon a december" to her. After she was born it was the only song that calmed her and put her to sleep. She's 19 now and still loves the song. 😊

[@duffgirl216]

That's beautiful!!! ❤😍

[@Chuchutrain806]

Wow that movie is that old? Crazy

[@onceuponatime2280]

@@Chuchutrain806 Anastasia was released in 1997 as I remember

[@missmeliss4352]

So lovley to hear! I sing it to my baby, shes 4 months ❤

[@Lutetium77]

I sing it to my baby girl too 🙂 such a beautiful song.

[@cherryrivs]

I was today years old when I realized Anastasia and Odette from Swan princess both have Liz Callaway has a their singing voice

[@oliviapete]

Chari Rivera another fun fact: Lea Solanga did both Mulan and Jasmines singing voices

[@naomimack6772]

Also Kiara from Lion King 2 ❤

[@JackieJaime90]

My two favorite movies from my childhood ❤️

[@billyriedel6449]

This movie inspired me to learn the history behind her and the Russian revolution

[@hannahskeldon7944]

It did the same for me, but unfortunately most of the told history of the Romanovs, the Revolution and Anastasia have been ruined by Communist Propaganda.

[@billyriedel6449]

@@hannahskeldon7944 Yes, that is the unfortunate part. There is actually a great documentary available to watch on youtube that goes through 300 years of Romanov rule.

[@MillionDollarMan-g9u]

@@hannahskeldon7944 серьезно, блять?

[@hannahskeldon7944]

@@billyriedel6449 I actually have a book called The Royal Romanov Martyrs that also tells the truth as well.

[@zenchilladas]

The Last Czar on Netflix is really good, you should check it out. It's about the Romanovs.

[@buxomboba8210]

Anastasia, one of my absolute favorites! Liz Callaway is lovely and iconic. She's also the singing voice of Odette in the Swan Princess, and singing voice of Kiara in Lion King 2: Simba's Pride, two more favorites. ♡ Her duet with Christy Altomare singing Journey to the Past is amazingggggg.

[@Deva7]

She's also the singing voice of Jasmine in Aladdin sequels!

[@hannahskeldon7944]

She also sang for Jasmine in Return of Jafar and Aladdin and the King of Thieves.

[@rokuwhitefox]

I never realized she voiced those characters! How cool!

[@BrendaRodriguez-ei3yf]

Marry Potter you just blew my mind with knowledge all of these movies I loved because of the singing and her voice it was all her ! I’m going to cry, she made my childhood amazing

[@lauraswan8647]

Did she sing for Disney's Pocahonta, "Colors of The Wind"?

[@hotstuff400]

This is my FROZEN. Once Upon a December and Journey to the Past. No one will ever surpass the beauty of this animated film and the magical songs it produced. PS: Thanks for the 1.3k likes!

[@sarasamaletdin4574]

Frozen is great. And so is Anastasia. You can like both.

[@brynbailey7132]

Agreed. Anastasia is my favorite animated movie. I wrote a paper on it in college! ❤

[@nomcookies93]

Amen

[@Anne-wf1vo]

@Final Fantasy Frozen is a good movie. You just want to hate it because people overrated it and you don't want to be like other people.

[@Anne-wf1vo]

@Final Fantasy No?? The story is the best thing about it, honestly. What a horrible argument.

[@ayamiku334]

Anastasia had and still has the best soundtrack.

[@elfielaurie6588]

Her voice is STUNNING

[@emily-hr2vd]

I used to watch this movie when i was little, it's so underrated !!!

[@princepeterwolf]

THIS WAS MY GENERATION'S FROZEN ❤️

[@maddena977]

AMEN!!!!

[@tuanonnasibuca]

Nobody: Auto caption at 0:34: "Anastasia, or onion, as I like to think of her"

[@johnjosephpascual253]

Anya her nickname

[@pianistawms]

Hahahahahahaha

[@samanthaspsychiccabin8354]

tuanonnasibuca the shaaaddeee lmao

[@piyanochka]

@@johnjosephpascual253 no, Anya from Anna, Nastya is the right name for Anastasia. She was wrong(

[@jandreidrn]

She's cutting onions for her fans for sure 😉

[@sosi1112]

Anastasia has always been my absolute favorite movie. I love how Anastasia has almost realistic body proportions, I prefer this style of animation over Frozen or Vaiana (although they are fine in their own way)

[@burntblueberrywaffles]

sosi111 Vaiana? I spot an European 👀

[@sosi1112]

JeIdA Oops, you’re right! Exposed 😁

[@HeyLady54]

Honestly almost cried when she started singing.

[@unidentifiedflyinghuman586]

Why didn’t they cut the background music while she was singing? Or at least turn the volume down smh

[@derrickw.4002]

Because KZbin would remove the video due to copyright.

[@livelaughloathe]

It means so much to hear her say she thinks of adoption while singing Journey to the Past. As an adopted kid, that song really resonated with me, it’s cool it had the same effect on the woman singing it!

[@raphaellatheswan5756]

That voice is CRISP 👌🏼

[@LisaMariavanHarmelen]

Liz is underrated and deserves way more love. She has the most amazing voice ❤️

[@ThyLadyTati]

This is STILL my favorite animated movie. Nothing else comes close these days.

[@GlitterInTheSnow]

Same

[@MeMe-of1mm]

My grandmother brought me the movie Anastasia on VCR many years ago for Christmas. It is one of my favourite movies till today. And journey to the past always gets me teary eyed. Now I have three kids of my own and I'll show them the movie one day. Thank you for bringing this character to life with such beautiful songs! 😍😍😍

[@_reeshu_]

Take them to see the musical as well! There's no Rasputin, since it's a more realistic one, but it's oh so amazing.

[@MeMe-of1mm]

@@_reeshu_ thank you. Sounds good. Rasputin is the only reason I'm holding back on showing them the movie. Perhaps the musical is the way to go. 😊

[@_reeshu_]

@@MeMe-of1mm I'm terrible at guessing what's appropriate for kids, but I think the musical should be ok. The movie might be a liiiittle too scary for someone below 6.

[@madvidz9819]

Man her voice just melts you like butter.

[@Crochetcoffin]

Her voice is so smooth and elegant 🙏🏻 I love her.

[@KristianCheyenne413]

Favorite movie EVER. I’ve watched it a BILLION times

[@raleemay]

I need to see this movie again. I haven’t seen it since it first came out when I was a child.

[@venusxaino]

It's on Disney +

[@jolienvandamme2909]

BunnyTaff really that’s so cool

[@HeyItsSarah30]

Rachel_Rebel_Makeup omg you should see the musical if it hasn’t already come through you city on the tour. It’s absolutely beautiful and it gave me such nostalgia of the movie ☺️

[@venusxaino]

@@emilybelliveau8508 Disney bought Fox Studios

[@pianistawms]

She sound like a calmer Ellen Degeneres while speaking lol

[@Pri-ze7fv]

Like a mix of Ellen and Princess Diana

[@JoseMartinRamos97]

Omfg😂😂😂😂 i thought i was the only one😂😂

[@sydneyreid7401]

Wellington M.S truth haha i thought about that lol

[@sofyuchiha9]

she freaking set everything on fire with her vocals. ughh so amaZING

[@LividLeon]

I love this show growing up. I watched this show over a dozen times.

[@junnaulue3191]

I'm going to cry... She sounds exactly the same and it's pinching my heart. It was my sister that loved this movie and Once upon a December in particular and I shortly fell in love with the song and movie through her. I had a crush on Anastasia and seeing how beautiful the voice actress is for her is just magical

[@megamoviegirl1]

literally started crying when she started singing 😭❤ goosebumps

[@caretonola]

I hope they'll make a proper live action movie of Anastasia I NEED IT

[@winterdoll1917]

Same but I want Disney to stick to the original and not add and take away scenes or change a personality or whatever

[@SelenaCiaraPerez]

The Broadway version was amazing.

[@Jackie-tx8if]

That would be amazing! If they did it right

[@samdog23]

She sounds exactly the same!!! We need this in a live animation!

[@sarahford9150]

I seriously got goosebumps when she started singing

[@TheBRATTYrosi]

Journey to the past hits different 🥺♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@mskimyu]

My heart is so full right now. We all love you, Ms. Liz!

[@TahtahmesDiary]

As an adoptee without my birth family I related to Anastasia and her need to know SO badly! It needed to be made into a film, and I'm glad it was. Like the real Anastasia, my story wasn't lovely but the movie Anastasia inspires me still! 💜

[@Mika-oi1se]

Anastasia was always a childhood movie and my favorite “Disney Princess” I’m sad she isn’t considered a Disney Princess but in my eyes she is even though she is a collab of Disney and Fox. Watching Anastasia helps me stay in touch with my Russian heritage and I love this movie so much ❤️

[@apettymusic]

Anastasia and Swan Princess are the essence of my childhood. So much nostalgia that brings me to tears.

[@tylerjohnston9939]

Someone Please CHERISH this I👏🏽C👏🏽O👏🏽N ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@rayagranum2780]

I love all her songs

[@kruski51]

I was adopted from Russia and this was always my favorite. Thank you, Liz!! Я люблю тебя 🇷🇺❤️

[@busturwindows95]

kruski51 I’m adopted from Russia too! In 97, my mom got me into this movie. I absolutely love it!

[@jasminexie379]

She brought me to tears when she sang!

[@Yusuf677]

I only know these songs in Arabic but when she started singing I got goosebumps! She has an incredible voice!

[@han.xoxoxo]

one upon a december is a classic. I love this film so much🥺

[@ayeshayaseen408]

I bought it on dvd for my daughter she’s 6 and she loves it, once upon a December at the end when her dad comes in she always asks me to act that part with her 🥰

[@parishermes9834]

Omg so this is the person behind the songs. This songs affected my life so much.

[@thatgirlPAIGE94]

I know this movie word-for-word. This movie is a MAJOR part of my childhood 🥰

[@selena893]

I did not know that the singing and talking voices are 2 different people O.O

[@sarashafiei9894]

It was very common back then! Most of the old disney princess movies are like that!!

[@Jimbojub]

Lol same. I should’ve realized if meg Ryan could sing like that, she’d be a singer instead. We were young tho 👍🏻

[@winterpixie2157]

Krzysztof Czajka actually more like Tangled Mandy Moore and Zach Levi both sang and acted!:)

[@kayj1245]

As she sang both songs i closed my eyes and went back to being the child me 💔

[@tiffaniedwards3128]

Anastasia is my all time favorite

[@ashlynnhall5963]

0:10 I got chills 0:22 I almost cried

[@Ang3lBag3l]

Ashlynn Hall I almost cried too...

[@SSM654]

I've always loved that song!!

[@user-pk6mz3ze4q]

I love closing my eyes and just listening to her sing...takes me back

[@necessarydrama]

She has so much life and light inside of her. 😊 Beautiful.

[@anna-louisefreed2342]

Journey to the past is my favourite song , the lyrics have real connection

[@emilyd.623]

I get goosebumps through my entire body every time she sings

[@lairre8405]

When she starts singing.... I ALMOST CRY😢

[@alie6413]

When i was 12 i watched this so much I memorized most the script and i can still recite it

[@kidicarusuprising6233]

Anastasia is my favorite movie of all time and Once Upon a December is my favorite song of all time 💖

[@Purple.cyclops]

i grew up loving this movie and this was very nostalgic to me

[@ZoraTheberge]

Liz Calloway is someone we should all be talking about more. Just like, in general

[@erictheisen3203]

She is a great actress, she sings a song from the movie "Anastasia" and more.

[@ricardslodge]

Journey to the Past was my JAM! My cousin and I used to perform!

[@mellyq92]

Journey to the past is still one of my favorite songs.

[@memyselfandimom]

I loved her version and Aaliyah version of Journey to the past. Once upon a December is a beautiful song as well.

[@christinapolimos1923]

This is the best thing I’ve seen in 2020!! What’s a sweetheart and a sweet voice. I loved this movie as a child.

[@TriSarahtops91]

Her singing and those songs still give me goosebumps!

[@ryn3575]

a face to the voice i’ve loved for years, wow

[@qwert2020]

She’s amazing!

[@BeeCoolCat]

This song. It is still my favorite since I was little and I just sang this song last night while putting my baby cousin to sleep. This is the only song that still gives me chills and goosebumps everytime I hear it.

[@swamibeen]

You did A GREAT JOB!!!! So glad you found that babysitter!!!

[@shaylaneomi]

Aw I got shivers once Liz began to sing!

[@wendyarmstrong7034]

She is amazing

[@mariedeiros]

I always ALWAYS get goosebumps and get teary eyed when I hear Once Upon A December

[@ロロノアゾロ-h4m]

Oh my god, this is the first time that I've seen the owner of the wonderful voice that I've been so in love with since I'm just 2 years old. And after 18 years of listening to Once Upon A December, her voice is just as lovely and as emotional as the first time that I've heard it.

[@rokuwhitefox]

A lot of movies where the singing voice was a different person than the speaking voice did fantastic. It was hard to tell it was a different person. That's pure magic!

[@KitaraStrife]

Talking about adoption, my uncle was adopted when he was a baby--my grandma had him out of wedlock. He grew up within 15 to 30 minutes away from my aunt and dad before moving to California. If my cousin hadn't gotten really sick when she was little, we wouldn't know them at all, he wouldn't have gone searching into his family medical history. God--or the universe or whatever you want to believe--works in mysterious and wonderful ways, and we're now invited to my cousin's wedding in May.

[@jennhoff03]

Amazing! I love adoption and think it's (usually) such an act of love. I totally agree that God works in mysterious and wonderful ways! I'm so glad you got to know him. (Your uncle, not God.) (Well, also God.... you know what I mean. ;'D )

[@KitaraStrife]

@@jennhoff03 Yes, yes I do. 😂👍 I also find it funny that he and my dad both married women with Italian heritage--my aunt's 100%, and my mom's half. 😂 Must run in the family. 😉

[@jennhoff03]

@@KitaraStrife Wow, that is so interesting! You know, I used to think it was all nurture over nature. But the older I get and the more genealogy I do, the more I think genetics really plays a role as well! It's amazing learning that my ancestors had similar interests to me, not to mention health or depression or physical similarities. I still think nurture is the most important factor of how you turn out, but I do see some in-born characteristics in people, too.

[@twistedlogiclistener]

I LOVEDDDD this movie as a child - watched it over and over again. Now, 26, and still watch it every year or two because it’s such a wonderful movie 💕

[@monicaswinney4415]

This movie means so much to me, and I could go on forever about it! I'll just say I love the message of family and love and this is a beautiful story

[@jairouxtv]

*i was born in 2005 but i grew up watching a VCR version of the movie and never got tired of it and i’m still not.*

[@miwmatsumoto]

YASSS!!!! that's my favorite song in my favorite movie, ANASTASIA~

[@Ash-yx8dc]

when she said journey to the past is her favorite gave me goosebumps bc its my favorite too, and to know the singer loves it to brings joy to my heart.

[@9taill]

Her voice...😍😍😍😍😍

[@chileplease960]

So iconic! God bless her, Lynn and Stephen and everyone who created that amazing movie!

[@abigailzammit4509]

Omg this song would give me the shivers whenever I would watch the movie

[@desiree2693]

I jammed out to the cassette tape soundtrack to this movie. Once Upon a December was the best.

[@RestlessChildcz]

What a gem, that woman ♥

[@TatianaX96]

I know this movie like the back of my hand ...has been my number one favorite since I was a kid, and I’m 23 now 😭 I will forever love Anastasia ❣️

[@JocelynKetler]

I just cried

[@kriyeted2370]

Once Upon a december and journey to the past are ones best disney all time songs

[@Supernova_girl]

This movie always makes me tear up bless this woman for making my childhood 😭

[@diane9627]

This is me and my grandma's movie. Like Anya and her grandma. I'm so glad Liz loves what she does, she inspires me

[@selfconfidenceee]

Such an underrated movie

[@reienriquez9245]

All tracks are beautiful!

[@obamabinladin90]

This movie is for real so good but somehow so underrated.

[@Clarexaizabela]

Liz Callaway wasn't part of my childhood since I am from Brazil, however her singing for Kiara (Lion King 2), Anastasia and Odette (Swan Princess) is more than enough to give me chills

[@DougUnfunny]

now that Disney bought Fox's entertainment division Anastasia is now a Disney Princess.

[@sarahtobore2832]

Correction : She is a Grand Duchess, much higher than a Princess

[@DougUnfunny]

@@sarahtobore2832 shudd up.

[@sarahtobore2832]

@@DougUnfunny Get stuffed 🖕

[@Enriquezkika1617]

@@sarahtobore2832 true

[@rosestrife1498]

I'm so happy

[@danihalling9734]

Her passion is stunning! She is truly a part of my childhood 💖