‘Out of My Mind’ Star Phoebe-Rae Taylor on DMing Co-Star Jennifer Aniston and How the Film’s Accessible Set Was a ‘Breath of Fresh Air’

by

The role in the Disney+ film “Out of My Mind” brought about a sense of complete acceptance for Phoebe-Rae Taylor.

In this movie, an actor takes on the role of Melody Brooks, a 12-year-old character who doesn’t speak due to cerebral palsy. This young girl transitions from special education classes to regular ones. Making her acting debut in the film is Taylor, a 16-year-old, who shared that the accessibility of the film set provided a welcoming atmosphere for her, being someone with cerebral palsy herself.

Taylor expressed that they’ve never felt as accepted before, given their past experiences of being judged and finding everyday activities challenging due to various barriers. However, visiting a place where everyone welcomes them and accommodations like ramps and accessible doorways are commonplace, made them feel incredibly relieved and grateful. This sentiment was shared during a recent “Out of My Mind” panel discussion led by Angelique Jackson from EbMaster’s senior entertainment writing team.

Taylor opened up about identifying with her character’s experiences. The predicament Melody encounters resonated with Taylor, and she drew upon that connection to deliver her performance. “I recognized so much of myself in Melody at various stages of her life,” she stated. “I’ve gone through the exact same scenario myself.

As a die-hard “Friends” fan and admirer of Jennifer Aniston, I couldn’t hide my excitement when I learned that Melody’s inner voice would be brought to life by none other than the talented actress herself. You see, this role held a special significance for me, as it reminded me of Lisa Kudrow’s character Phoebe, who shares a namesake with me. This casting was more than just a professional milestone; it was a tribute to my love for “Friends” and an opportunity to work alongside one of my idols.

Taylor has been deeply captivated by her since childhood, and she becomes incredibly enthusiastic whenever they discuss it. In fact, she could go on talking about it endlessly,” Taylor explained. “To put it simply, she is extremely significant in my life.

Taylor shared that she’s exchanged messages with Jennifer Aniston on Instagram, but they haven’t met face-to-face yet. “I was sitting in my room, glanced at my phone, and saw a notification that Jennifer Aniston tagged me in her post,” Taylor recalled, “and I let out a shout.

Additionally, the panelists highlighted that the movie, based on Sharon M. Draper’s book, promotes understanding and communication between individuals.

Judith Light, who plays Mrs. V. in the film, thinks the film’s message applies to everyone.

Light stated that this film is about the struggle for one’s children, striving for a desired life, and providing someone with a platform to be heard. In today’s context, everyone could benefit from discovering their own voice.

Read More

2025-04-09 16:46