Dancer, actor and presenter, the Ethiopian-Australian artist joins ‘ZOMBIES 4’ with a character that celebrates energy, difference and pride. We spoke to him about visibility, purpose-driven art and what it means to grow while making room for others.
Mekonnen Knife remembers the exact moment he got the call that changed his summer — he was at the airport, right outside the toilets. “I started jumping, shouting, celebrating right there. People looked at me like I was mad, but I couldn’t hold it in.” That’s how he found out he’d been cast as Vargas, the vibrant new character in ‘ZOMBIES 4’, Disney’s hit franchise blending music, diversity and magical teen spirit.
Reading the script, he says, felt like meeting an old friend. “Vargas is strong, fun, loyal. He’s got a big personality but also depth. The challenge was balancing his playful side with the serious one, making sure he felt real, not like a joke.”
Mekonnen’s journey didn’t begin with acting, but with dance. At twelve, he was spotted by a choreographer who saw something special, and he hasn’t stopped moving since. That training, he says, was key to building Vargas’ physicality. “Dance gave me confidence, it taught me discipline, and it helped me connect with how Vargas moves, how he stands, how he enters a room.”
Still, what moves him most isn’t just the character — it’s the world he steps into. “As a kid, I didn’t see many people like me on screen. Being part of something that celebrates difference — and on Disney, which reaches so many — is amazing.”
“As a kid, I didn’t see many people like me on screen. Being part of something that celebrates difference is amazing.”
Mekonnen Knife
This summer, Mekonnen is also touring with ‘Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide’, a live show merging both franchises with dance, music and high energy. “It’s going to be full of good vibes. I’m excited to meet people face to face and bring the world of Zombies to the stage.”
Outside the spotlight, there’s another side to him — activism. From supporting communities in Ethiopia to raising awareness about men’s mental health, Mekonnen sees his platform as a tool for action. “It keeps me grounded. I know I’m lucky to do what I love, and I want to use that to shine a light on things that matter.”
For him, responsibility didn’t come with visibility — it was there from the beginning. “I’ve always wanted to make space for others. Even before I had an audience, that was in me.” Now that the spotlight is brighter, he remains committed to that path.
His biggest dream? Growth. “I want to keep acting, keep working on projects that matter. In five years, I hope I’m still evolving and helping others rise too. If I could tell my future self something, it would be: don’t forget where you came from and keep going.”
When asked about his inspirations, he doesn’t hesitate: Michael B. Jordan, Angela Bassett, Viola Davis. “They’re incredible. Not just for the roles they take on, but for how they carry themselves off camera. They stand for strength and purpose. That’s the kind of energy I want to bring too.”
And yes — the Broadway dream is real. “I’d love to do theatre someday. Maybe Simba in ‘The Lion King’, or a fun character like Rafiki. That story hits home for me.”
Mekonnen Knife doesn’t just own the stage — he’s paving the way for others to join him. Because, as he says, being seen changes everything. And when that visibility has purpose, it can change things for everyone else too.
Zombies 4 premieres on July 11 on Disney+.
