5 Shocking Secrets Hidden In The 'Waiting On A Miracle' Lyrics (Including The Actress Who Recorded It While In Labor)

The lyrics to "Waiting on a Miracle" from Disney’s *Encanto* are universally recognized as one of the most poignant "I Want" songs in modern animated film history, perfectly capturing Mirabel Madrigal's profound sense of isolation and yearning within her magical family. As of December 15, 2025, the song continues to resonate deeply with audiences, not just for its powerful message of self-worth and belonging, but also for a truly unbelievable, yet confirmed, behind-the-scenes secret involving its lead vocalist, Stephanie Beatriz, that adds an entirely new layer of emotional depth to every line.

This deep dive explores how Lin-Manuel Miranda’s masterful composition and the raw emotional delivery by Beatriz—who was actually experiencing early labor contractions while recording the track—created a timeless anthem for anyone who has ever felt overlooked. We will break down the Colombian waltz inspiration, the key lyrical foreshadowing, and the critical role this song plays in the Madrigal family's journey toward healing their broken *Casita* and their relationships.

The Unbelievable True Story Behind Mirabel's Emotional Performance

The emotional intensity of "Waiting on a Miracle" is often credited to the vulnerability in Stephanie Beatriz's voice, but the reality behind the recording session is far more dramatic than anyone could have imagined. This incredible piece of trivia has cemented the song's place in Disney lore, transforming a simple recording session into an act of profound dedication.

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Stephanie Beatriz: The Voice of Mirabel Madrigal

Stephanie Beatriz, the actress who voices the gift-less protagonist Mirabel Madrigal, brought a wealth of experience and a unique personal touch to the role. While widely known for her role as Detective Rosa Diaz in the comedy series *Brooklyn Nine-Nine*, her performance in *Encanto* showcased her powerful dramatic and musical range.

• Full Name: Stephanie Beatriz Bischoff Alvizuri
• Born: February 17, 1981, in Neuquén, Argentina
• Nationality: Argentine-American
• Notable Roles: Mirabel Madrigal (*Encanto*), Detective Rosa Diaz (*Brooklyn Nine-Nine*), Gina Linetti (*BoJack Horseman*)
• Initial Audition: Beatriz initially auditioned for the role of Luisa Madrigal, but the creative team immediately recognized her perfect fit for the quirky, driven, and emotionally complex Mirabel.
• The Mirabel Connection: She intentionally used her own feelings of "awkwardness" and being an outsider to inform Mirabel's character, making the performance incredibly authentic.

Recording the Song While in Labor

The raw, desperate urgency in the song’s climax is not just acting; it was real. Stephanie Beatriz revealed in interviews that she recorded "Waiting on a Miracle" while she was in the early stages of labor with her first child.

Beatriz, not wanting to draw attention or risk delaying the production schedule, kept the news to herself during the session. She explained that she was having contractions, but the emotional nature of Mirabel’s plea—her character desperately waiting for her own miracle—drove her to push through the pain and deliver a performance that perfectly matched the song's core theme. [cite: 8, 15 (from first search)]

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This astonishing commitment imbues the recording with an undeniable, visceral emotion. When Mirabel sings, "I am ready, come on, I'm ready," the listener hears a genuine, physical yearning for a life-altering moment, mirroring the actress's own impending "miracle" of childbirth. [cite: 11 (from first search)]

Deconstructing the Lyrics: Mirabel’s Yearning and the Madrigal Curse

The lyrics of "Waiting on a Miracle" serve a critical narrative function as Mirabel's "I Want" song, a staple of Disney musicals. It’s the moment the audience fully connects with her inner turmoil, contrasting her lack of a magical gift against the phenomenal powers of the rest of the Madrigal family. The song is a direct confrontation of her pain and her fierce desire to be seen and accepted by her *Abuela* Alma. [cite: 2, 6 (from first search)]

The Weight of Expectation

The opening verses immediately establish Mirabel's position as the family outsider, surrounded by impossible perfection. The lyrics reference her gifted relatives: Luisa’s superhuman strength (a contrast explored further in "Surface Pressure"), Isabela’s effortless beauty and flower-generating power, and the family's overall reliance on the magic of the *Encanto*.

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• "Always walking alone, always trailing behind." This line perfectly encapsulates Mirabel’s physical and emotional distance from the rest of the Madrigal Family.
• "The magic is growing, the pressure is mounting." This references the central conflict of the film: the family's gifts are strong, but the internal pressure from *Abuela* Alma to maintain that perfection is causing the magic to fail.
• "I would move the mountains, make new trees and flowers grow." This couplet is a powerful piece of foreshadowing. Mirabel is literally expressing a desire for the gifts of both Luisa (moving mountains) and Isabela (flowers/trees). Crucially, by the end of the film, she is the one who helps Luisa find balance and encourages Isabela to grow different, wilder plants, effectively "moving mountains" and "making new flowers grow" in a non-magical, emotional sense. [cite: 8 (from second search), 12 (from first search)]

The Emotional Climax: "I Am Ready"

The song builds to a powerful, dramatic crescendo. The lyrics shift from a lament of her situation to an assertive declaration of her readiness. This is the moment where Mirabel stops passively *waiting* and starts actively *claiming* her place. [cite: 6 (from second search)]

The final, desperate plea—"I need a change, I need a sign, I need a miracle"—is immediately followed by a moment of silence in the music. This pause is a crucial structural element, marking a transition from Mirabel's internal dream world to the harsh reality. It is in this silence that she realizes the miracle she needs is not a gift, but the strength to save her family herself. [cite: 16 (from first search)]

Musical Structure and Cultural Roots: Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Colombian Waltz

"Waiting on a Miracle" is a masterclass in musical storytelling, expertly crafted by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who is also the genius behind *Hamilton* and *In The Heights*. To ground the song firmly in its setting, Miranda drew inspiration from traditional Colombian music, specifically the delicate and often melancholic rhythm of the waltz. [cite: 1 (from first search)]

The 3/4 Time Signature and the Pasillo

While many Disney "I Want" songs are in a standard 4/4 time, Miranda chose a 3/4 time signature, characteristic of the Colombian musical style known as the *Pasillo* or *Bambuco*. This choice is more than just a cultural nod; it serves the narrative perfectly.

• The Waltz Rhythm: The 3/4 time signature gives the song a constant, slightly off-kilter, swirling feel. This rhythm mirrors Mirabel's feeling of being out of sync with her family—everyone else is marching to the beat of their gifts, while she is trying to keep up with a different, more complicated rhythm.
• Instrumentation: The arrangement features traditional Colombian instruments, including the acoustic guitar and the *tiple* (a twelve-string Colombian instrument), lending the song an authentic, regional texture.
• Vocal Range: The song’s vocal demands are substantial, requiring Stephanie Beatriz to navigate a wide range, from a tender, almost spoken opening to a soaring, powerful belt at the climax. This vocal journey reflects Mirabel's emotional arc from quiet despair to fierce determination. [cite: 18 (from second search)]

Topical Authority and Key Entities

The depth of "Waiting on a Miracle" is enhanced by its connection to a rich tapestry of entities and themes within the *Encanto* universe. The song is a central hub connecting key narrative elements:

Key Entities: *Encanto*, Mirabel Madrigal, Stephanie Beatriz, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Abuela Alma, Casita, Madrigal Family, Colombia, Colombian waltz, *Pasillo*, *Bambuco*, "Surface Pressure," "We Don't Talk About Bruno," Luisa Madrigal, Isabela Madrigal, Bruno Madrigal, Antonio Madrigal, The Candle, Disney Animation, *Hamilton*, Self-Worth, Yearning, The Miracle.

The widespread success of the song, alongside the global phenomenon of "We Don't Talk About Bruno," solidified *Encanto* as a cultural touchstone. "Waiting on a Miracle" provides the necessary emotional anchor for the entire story, allowing audiences to understand that Mirabel’s true miracle was never a gift, but her own capacity for love and healing, which she was ready for all along.