Some people need a little help when it comes to sharing their voice — and Jennifer Aniston is more than happy to oblige.
The Morning Show actress can be heard (and briefly seen) in the upcoming Disney movie, Out of My Mind — in which she lends her voice to a nonverbal middle schooler with cerebral palsy. And, critically, the 12-year-old in question also happens to be a huge fan of Friends.
In an exclusive clip, which you can watch above, Melody (played by newcomer Phoebe-Rae Taylor) explains that she has plenty to say and has called upon one of her favorite voices to say it.
Jennifer Aniston on 'Friends' and Phoebe-Rae Taylor in 'Out Of My Mind'.
Courteney Cox says Jennifer Aniston kept tons of clothes from Friends, even Monica's: 'She holds onto everything'
"My name is Melody Brooks and for the price of a smoothie, you can save a child like me, with cerebral palsy,” begins her inner-monologue, spoken in Aniston’s voice. “Nah, I’m just kidding, I don’t want you money and I don’t want your pity either.”
Talking directly into the camera, she prompts, “Go ahead and stare. It’s 2002, you’ve never seen a girl in a wheelchair who doesn’t talk before? It’s not like I have nothing to say. Oh believe me, I have so much to say, but my tongue won’t cooperate.”
She quirks a smile. "I know what you’re thinking," she adds. "I sound pretty grown-up for a 12 year old, right? I told you — I can’t talk! So I don’t have a voice.”
Urging her audience to listen, Melody shares that she has no idea what her voice sounds like — which means she gets to decide what we hear as she tells her story. The clip then offers a glimpse of her watching an episode of Friends, with Aniston smiling back at her.
"I can sound like whoever I want,” continues her monologue, “And I love Jennifer Aniston, so of course I picked her voice. And I’m just borrowing it, it’s not like I stole it. Sharing is caring.”
Emily Mitchell, Luke Kirby, Phoebe-Rae Taylor, and Rosemarie Dewitt in 'Out of My Mind'.
Michael Gibson/disney
Based on Sharon M. Draper’s award-winning novel, Out of My Mind tells the story of Melody navigating the ups and downs of school as a nonverbal wheelchair user, as she fights to be given the same opportunities as her classmates. With the help of her loved ones, assistive technology and yes, Rachel from Friends, Melody searches for a way to communicate despite her physical limitations.
While hunting for the perfect Melody Brooks, director Amber Sealey prioritized authenticity. In looking for a young actress with cerebral palsy, she eventually discovered Taylor — who didn’t have any acting aspirations before signing aboard the project.
"I have never acted in my life, ever, apart from this,” Taylor said at the film’s Sundance Film Festival premiere. “It really came as a surprise, and I’m so grateful I got this opportunity.”
The one where Jennifer Aniston settles the debate on the real color of her memorable Friends dress
She added, “It’s quite uncanny, really, how much I related to Melody. I think that really helped me to get into the character. I just really related to her, a lot.”
The film also stars Rosemarie Dewitt, Luke Kirby, Michael Chernus, Courtney Taylor, and Judith Light.
Out of My Mind hits Disney+ on Nov. 22.