Fil-Am actor Yonas Kibreab gears up for Pixar’s ‘Elio’ premiere in June
Yonas Kibreab | Photo from hiyonas/Instagram
In 2023, Filipino American actor Yonas Asuncion Kibreab received a call that would take his career to the stars, literally.
The young actor was tapped to voice the titular role in Elio, Pixar’s highly anticipated space-themed animated film. Now, with the countdown ticking, Disney and Pixar have released a brand-new trailer and poster for the movie, set to hit theaters on June 20.
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The film follows 11-year-old Elio, a curious and quirky kid who unexpectedly gets abducted by aliens, a dream come true for someone who’s always wondered what lies beyond the stars.
Voiced by Kibreab, Elio embarks on a cosmic journey, making his first alien friend, Glordon, and navigating interstellar diplomacy, all while trying to figure out where he truly belongs. The film also features Zoe Saldaña as Aunt Olga, fresh off her Academy Award win.
Pixar teased the trailer with a playful message: “If any aliens are listening… the new trailer for Disney and Pixar’s Elio is here! See the movie, only in theaters, June 20.”
On Instagram, Kibreab shared his excitement, posting a message alongside behind-the-scenes content: “Thank You to all the AMAZING Creators that came to support Pixar Elio Movie! The #ElioBuzzisReal! Your support means the world! OK BYE I LOVE YOU.”
In a separate post, he exclaimed, “Ahhhhh! It’s Happening! OK, Bye I Love You!”
At just a young age, the Fil-Am actor has already built an impressive resume. He appeared in Netflix’s “Sweet Tooth” Season 2, voiced the character Phinny in Disney’s “Pupstruction” (where he showcased his vocal chops) and made his breakthrough in Hulu’s “Into the Dark: Blood Moon.”
He also stars in Disney’s “Pretty Freekin’ Scary” and is set to appear in the upcoming musical film “Reimagined,” alongside Joel McHale and Paula Patton.
Interestingly, his entertainment journey began not in acting, but on the tennis court. He created viral tennis-themed content with his dad on Instagram and Vine, which caught the attention of the US Tennis Association. That led to a stint as a “kidcaster” at the US Open.
Now, as Elio, Kibreab is ready to launch into a new galaxy of opportunity and bring audiences along for the ride.
