Bringing a little magic to the world
IT’S many little girl’s dream to be a princess when they grow up, but for a select few that aspiration becomes a magical reality.
For 19-year-old party princess Emma Grounsell every day is dress up day since she launched her own business Feel the Magic Entertainment in January this year.
Feel the Magic, based in North Shields, specialises in providing magical character visits, live entertainment and enchanting party packages for a whole host of events including children’s birthday parties, weddings, christenings and naming ceremonies across the North East.
A typical royal visit includes a meetand-greet, sing-along, party games, music and dancing and photo opportunities with the characters.
“Although I’ve only been running my own business for a few months, I’ve worked as a party princess for four years now,” said Emma.
“Growing up I always adored Disney films, and I always felt a connection to the princesses, particularly
Beauty and the Beast’s Belle because she had brown hair and eyes like me and was a bit of a oddball and a outcast, which is how I felt as a child.
“I think now I’m an adult I realise the importance of representation in children’s films. Every child should be able to have a role model which they can look up to and see themselves in.”
For Emma, working as a princess has given her a ‘new sense of confidence,’ and helped her overcome personal struggles with her mental health.
“Surprisingly, I’m actually a very anxious person,” she said. “I have suffered with my mental health for a long time and I had a eating disorder too.
“But since I’ve been working as a entertainer, my confidence has really developed. My job is a form of escapism. When I’m in costume, I’m not Emma, I’m the Snow Queen or Princess Beauty, and all I’m thinking about in that moment is how I can make the day as magical as possible for the children.”
In order to launch Feel the Magic, Emma said she had to sell ‘everything she owned’ to pay for start-up costs such as handmade costumes and wigs.
She said with the help from her family, friends and fiance Dean, who is the company’s resident Ice Master, inspired by Frozen’s Kristoff, she’s currently working up to 15 hours every day.
“I’m incredibly proud of how far the
business has
come in such a short space of time, especially because I’ve done everything myself including the logo, website design and building publicity,” said Emma.
“I’ve wanted to do this for a long time, but my lack of confidence has held me back. Now I’m so glad that I’ve taken the leap.”
Whilst Emma says the most popular characters are currently The Snow Queen and Queen of Arendelle, with Disney’s newest release Encanto taking the world by storm, she’s now looking for her perfect Mirabel to join the team.
“We are currently hiring for princess cast members and characters which is really exciting,” said Emma. “With Encanto being so popular with kids now I’m expecting a Mirabel inspired character to be huge hit with parties.
“I think it’s great that Disney are representing people of colour more in their films, and we are looking to fill that role in the company with a person of colour as I think that’s the right thing to do.”
Emma is hoping to offer all of the princess characters in the future, but is searching currently for the Sleeping Beauty and Alice in Wonderland to join the kingdom this Spring.
She also hopes to grow the business to eventually offer popular superhero characters too.
Whilst being a strong vocalist is preferred, it isn’t essential, however having a passion for performing and working with children is, says Emma.
“I’m looking for confident and bubbly people who want to make children’s dreams come true,” said Emma. “I provide full training on performing, costume and wig styling, so it’s a great opportunity to learn new skills too.”
I’ve wanted to do this for a long time, but my lack of confidence has held me back. Now I’m so glad that I’ve taken the leap
EMMA GROUNSELL