Mirabel Madrigal (Encanto 2)

Mirabel Madrigal (often referred to as Abuela) is the deuteragonist of Disney's 2024 animated feature film Encanto 2: A New Generation. Abuela Mirabel is the 2nd matriarch of the Madrigal family (after her Abuela Alma), mother of Cali, grandmother of José, Hazel and Paola, and the leader of the Encanto village.

Background
Mirabel, at an undefined point in time after the events of the first movie, was told by her abuela Alma, as she was dying, that she was chosen to be the next matriarch of the family, as a thank you for saving the miracle and helping mend the family back together. Mirabel, though reluctant, agreed, and was granted a look-alike of the original miracle candle. After informing the rest of the Madrigals of her status as the new matriarch, Alma passed on, with her room fading away with her. In its place, a new door formed for Mirabel, and Alma's room was replaced by a larger, more cleaned up version of the nursery Mirabel spent her whole life in.

As Mirabel grew up, continuing to serve as the protector of the miracle and the family, she met a man named Lorenzo, where they fell in love and eventually got married a short time later. Much to both their delight, Mirabel got pregnant and one day gave birth to her only daughter Cali. The 2 raised her together, and when Cali turned five, she was given her own magical gift, showing that Madrigals would continue to get gifts for years to come. Over time, Cali fell in love and married a man named Marcos, who Mirabel was quick to accept into the family. To her surprise and delight, over the years Cali, as well as Mateo, the son of her cousin Dolores, had children of their own and she became grandmother of José, Hazel and Paola, and the distant cousin of Rico and Faye.

Over the years, Mirabel grew to have a special bond with all her family members, José in particular. When it came time for José's ceremony, he reached for his door and touched the door knob, only for his gift to remain a complete mystery to everybody. As a result, José became depressed and distanced himself from the family, which led to Mirabel inadvertently making him feel unwanted and lonely by never trying to find the source of why he became this way. Although she meant well, she would eventually grow to make the same mistakes Alma made when she was younger.

Official Description
"Mirabel is now all grown up, and is the new leader of the Encanto, and her family. Having to follow in her Abuela's footsteps, Mirabel's determination to protect her family remains strong after all these years."

"Mirabel is the new matriarch of the Madrigal family. Her dedication to follow in her Abuela's footsteps led her to watching over the miracle after her passing, and thus, she raised a new generation of family members. Mirabel values each and every one of her family members, ensuring that they are all happy, and making sure they use their gifts for the benefit of everybody."

Development
As with the rest of the new Madrigal family, Mirabel was designed to reflect members from the original Madrigal family, while also appearing as a family member everyone can relate to. It was already established that with her being the original film's protagonist, she would have to make a return for the sequel. As in the final production, Mirabel was designed as the new matriarch of the family, with her having to carry the responsibility of looking after her family and keeping the miracle, family, and village safe. She was also designed to show that people can grow up to become the people they least wish to become, whether intentional or not. For her appearance, she was designed to appear as an older version of her original self, while still clearly having changed a lot over the years, and her dress reflecting her yellow butterflies and flowers, which are both elements that appear on the Miracle Candle.

Mirabel's voice actor, Gloria Estefan, described her character: "Mirabel was still not given a gift, but she's now the one watching over the gifts. She's changed, but deep down, you can tell there is still some of the old Mirabel in her."

Personality
TBA

Physical Appearance
Mirabel retains a lot of aspects from her appearance in the original film. She still has her curly chin-length hair, thick eyebrows, hazel eyes, and round-framed glasses. However, her hair has become grey, her glasses are now a silver color, and she now dawns red lipstick. Her dress has a similar shape to her original dress, but is now completely yellow and gold, with designs of flowers, sparkles and butterflies all across it, to bear a resemblance to the original Miracle Candle. She also now wears yellow open toe shoes.

Powers and abilities
Abuela Mirabel doesn't possess any particular gift, due to not being gifted one during her gift ceremony for unknown reasons. Instead, she is in charge of all magic of the family. She makes sure the family magic is used carefully, and in the way the family wants to use it. Becoming the leader of the Encanto since she was very young, Mirabel has leadership skills as she leads an entire village by herself and directs most of the activities that occur in the Encanto such as the construction of various houses or different events. Being the person with the most authority in the Encanto, her family and the entire town of Encanto, turn to her in moments of uncertainty and communal anxiety.

Encanto 2: A New Generation
TBA

Relationships
TBA

Trivia
Mirabel is the only original character from the first film to appear in the present time in the second film.