Hey A.J! Disney Jr. Animated Show Cast Announcement and Details
Jhené Aiko and Meghan Trainor have been announced as part of the cast for the upcoming Disney Jr. animated show, Hey A.J!. The show is based on a children's book series by retired NFL star Martellus Bennett. The series will follow a young girl named A.J., who, with her stuffed bunny sidekick, uses her imagination to turn ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures. Aiko will voice A.J.'s mom, Siggi, while Trainor will have a recurring role as Jessie's mom. Other cast members include Amari McCoy as A.J., Bennett as A.J.'s dad Marty, Juliet Donenfeld as A.J.'s best friend Jessie, Innocent Ekakitie as Jazz, and David Mitchell as A.J.'s bunny sidekick Theo.
The casting news was revealed at the "Disney Jr. Let's Play!" fan celebration at Disney California Adventure Park. Other announcements from the event include the new series Cars: Lightning Racers with Owen Wilson and Larry the Cable Guy reprising their roles, Marvel's Avengers: Mightiest Friends as the first preschool Avengers series, and two new Mickey & Minnie's Holiday Songs musical specials for Halloween and Christmas. Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, emphasized the importance of Disney Jr. shows in shaping children's connection to the Disney world and introducing new stories for the next generation.
As mothers themselves, Aiko and Trainor are familiar with children's television. Aiko has two children, Namiko and Noah, while Trainor has two sons, Riley and Barry. Hey A.J! is set to premiere in 2026 on Disney Jr. and will also be available on Disney+. Produced by Surfing Giant Studios, the show will bring the imaginative world of A.J. to life with the help of executive producers Bennett, Jeff "Swampy" Marsh, and Michael Hodges.