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Thousands gathered in Times Square on Wednesday morning to participate in Good Morning America’s nationwide sing-along of Frozen‘s Oscar-nominated song, “Let It Go” — just before fresh snow began to fall on New York City.
PHOTOS: The Making of Disney’s Animated Oscar Contender ‘Frozen’
Idina Menzel, the Tony-winning stage star and voice of Elsa in the Disney feature, led fans and the New York City Children’s Chorus in a massive rendition of the track. The sing-along also included performances from soloists (whose covers have gone viral on YouTube) and the Skyliners Synchronized Skating Team at Bryant Park, as well as videos submitted by young viewers.
Menzel was joined by the cast of If/Then, the Broadway production in which she currently stars. The performance also featured appearances by Live! hosts Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan, and included footage of the teams from the Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, Walt Disney World in Orlando, and various ABC newsrooms — and as Disney owns ABC, the seven-minute segment sang its praises for the Oscar nominee, an exercise in the company’s vaunted synergy at work.
The anthemic track, written by husband and wife team Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, has become a viral sensation, inspiring uploaded covers that are both hilarious and heartwarming.
Menzel joked on GMA of the song’s popularity in her own home. “My son sings ‘Let It Go’ back to me, and I was messing up the words one day, and he said, ‘Are you singing, let it snow?!'”
When asked why the song especially resonates with young girls, Menzel responded, “It’s about owning your own power. It’s about owning who you are and celebrating what makes you fierce, young girl, and not caring what people think and finally relinquishing and being free.”
VIDEO: ‘Frozen’ Cast Reunites for Cabaret, Idina Menzel Belts Out Oscar Favorite ‘Let It Go’
“Let It Go” is nominated for best original song against Pharrell Williams‘ “Happy” from Despicable Me 2, Karen O‘s “The Moon Song” from Her, and U2’s “Ordinary Love” from Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.
Watch videos of the sing-along and the interview with Menzel below:
Email: Ashley.Lee@THR.com
Twitter: @cashleelee
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