{"id":1949608,"date":"2025-08-08T15:45:24","date_gmt":"2025-08-08T15:45:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=1949608"},"modified":"2025-08-08T15:45:24","modified_gmt":"2025-08-08T15:45:24","slug":"jhene-aiko-meghan-trainor-join-hey-a-j-new-disney-jr-animated-series-inspired-by-a-super-bowl-champ","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/jhene-aiko-meghan-trainor-join-hey-a-j-new-disney-jr-animated-series-inspired-by-a-super-bowl-champ\/","title":{"rendered":"Jhen\u00e9 Aiko &#038; Meghan Trainor Join \u2018Hey A.J.!,\u2019 New Disney Jr. Animated Series Inspired by a Super Bowl Champ"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/jhene-aiko\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Jhen\u00e9 Aiko;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Jhen\u00e9 Aiko<\/a> has joined the cast of <em>Hey A.J.!<\/em>, the upcoming Disney Jr. animated show based on a children\u2019s books series written by retired NFL star Martellus Bennett, while <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/meghan-trainor\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Meghan Trainor;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Meghan Trainor<\/a> will have a recurring role.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The music-filled family comedy series will follow a young girl named A.J., voiced by Amari McCoy (<em>Marvel\u2019s Spidey and His Amazing Friends<\/em>), who \u201calong with her stuffed bunny sidekick, uses her big imagination to make ordinary life moments extraordinary,\u201d according to the Disney Jr. announcement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>More from Billboard<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Grammy-nominated artist Aiko will voice A.J.\u2019s mom Siggi, while Super Bowl champion-turned-children\u2019s author Bennett will voice A.J.\u2019s dad Marty. Also joining the cast: Juliet Donenfeld (<em>Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures<\/em>) as A.J.\u2019s best friend Jessie, Innocent Ekakitie (<em>Bunk\u2019d<\/em>) as Jazz, and David Mitchell (<em>Phineas and Ferb<\/em>) as A.J.\u2019s bunny sidekick Theo. Grammy-winning singer\/songwriter Trainor will have a recurring role playing Jessie\u2019s mom.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Meghan Trainor\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"634\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/ylXJKGzilj7fp3r6T2Fo0Q--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYzNDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/billboard_547\/da2fd5bb29aab0332228d333332ccf8e\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Meghan Trainor<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The casting news was announced Friday morning (Aug. 8) at the \u201cDisney Jr. Let\u2019s Play!\u201d fan celebration, taking place throughout the weekend at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, California.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Other Disney Jr. news coming out of Friday\u2019s fan event: The new series <em>Cars: Lightning Racers<\/em>, inspired by the Disney and Pixar <em>Cars<\/em> film series, will see Owen Wilson and Larry the Cable Guy reprising their roles as Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater, respectively; <em>Marvel\u2019s Avengers: Mightiest Friends<\/em> will debt as the first preschool Avengers series, following Spidey and Iron Man-specific shows; and two new <em>Mickey &amp; Minnie\u2019s Holiday Songs<\/em> musical specials will arrive this year timed to Halloween and Christmas.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cOur shows are often a child\u2019s very first connection to the world of Disney, sparking the songs they sing, the characters they adore, and the adventures they want to live again and again,\u201d Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, said at Friday\u2019s event. \u201cToday\u2019s announcements build on that leadership, expanding the worlds kids already love and introducing new multiplatform stories that will capture the hearts of the next generation.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">As fellow moms of two, Aiko and Trainor are surely no strangers to children\u2019s television. Aiko is mom to 16-year-old Namiko (whom she shares with her R&amp;B singer ex O\u2019Ryan) and 2-year-old son Noah (with her rapper boyfriend Big Sean), while Trainor has 4-year-old son Riley and 2-year-old son Barry with actor husband Daryl Sabara.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>Hey A.J.<\/em> \u2014 produced by Surfing Giant Studios, with Bennett, Jeff \u201cSwampy\u201d Marsh and Michael Hodges serving as executive producers \u2014 will debut in 2026 on Disney Jr., followed by a Disney+ release.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"645\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/dmu1Uu96wPARK826MB3BDQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0NTtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/billboard_547\/3db9e765570c328e3006d9a9cb25af00\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>Best of Billboard<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Sign up for <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/cloud.email.billboard.com\/signup\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Billboard's Newsletter;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Billboard&#8217;s Newsletter<\/a>. For the latest news, follow us on <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/31XsHSx\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Facebook;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Facebook<\/a>, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2TkcoeG\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Twitter;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Twitter<\/a>, and <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2TntOHq\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Instagram;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jhen\u00e9 Aiko has joined the cast of Hey A.J.!, the upcoming Disney Jr. animated show based on a children\u2019s books series written by retired NFL star Martellus Bennett, while Meghan Trainor will have a recurring role. The music-filled family comedy series will follow a young girl named A.J., voiced by Amari McCoy (Marvel\u2019s Spidey and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1949609,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[323395,339173,311264,340844,340843,323811],"class_list":["post-1949608","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-david-mitchell","tag-disney-jr","tag-jhene-aiko","tag-juliet-donenfeld","tag-martellus-bennett","tag-meghan-trainor"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Jhene-Aiko-Meghan-Trainor-Join-\u2018Hey-AJ-New-Disney.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1949608","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1949608"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1949608\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1949609"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1949608"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1949608"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1949608"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}