Dancing Through Doors: Mekonnen Knife Is the Disney Star We’ve Been Waiting For

From rejections to red carpets — how he’s changing the game."Pure joy. That’s all I felt." That’s how Mekonnen Knife remembers the moment he landed his biggest role yet — Vargas in Disney’s ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires. He was in an airport when the call came through. He went "ballistic." Laughing, screaming, maybe even tearing up. And who could blame him? For the 19-year-old actor and dancer, who once grew up watching Disney Channel from halfway across the world, joining the beloved ZOMBIES franchise wasn’t just a job — it was a full-circle dream. “It still doesn’t feel real,” he says. “I get to be that guy now.”

Words/Editor In Chief: Angel Neal

Photography: JSquared Photography

Stylist: Marquise Miller & Aaron Christmon

In Dawn of the Vampires, Vargas is the vampire with heart — a friend, a leader, the emotional center of his crew. And for Knife, the connection to the character was immediate.

“He’s loyal, he’s funny, he’s the glue of the group. That’s who I am in my real life, too.”

But playing Vargas wasn’t just about charm — it meant stepping into a legacy. The ZOMBIES franchise is known for its themes of inclusion, otherness, and friendship. “It was a big responsibility,” Knife says. “But the cast — Milo, Meg — they took us in like family. That meant everything.” Knife’s journey to Hollywood didn’t start on a film set. It began at age 12, when he first stepped into a dance studio. With no formal training and no real experience, he landed a full scholarship and spent two years catching up to peers who had danced since age two.“It taught me work ethic. I had no choice but to push harder.”

Those early lessons have stayed with him — through modeling gigs, rejection-heavy auditions, and now, hours of choreography rehearsals for both ZOMBIES 4 and the World’s Collide Tour, which merges ZOMBIES and DESCENDANTS on stage for the first time.

“It’s hard work,” he says. “But I love the process. Rehearsing with the team, seeing everything come to life — that’s the real magic.”

Fun fact: before he was being interviewed, Mekonnen Knife was the one holding the mic. He used to host red carpet interviews back in Australia. Now? “Being on the other end of the questions feels surreal,” he admits. “But I love it.”

His curiosity and empathy shine through — especially when talking about his roots.

“I grew up in Ethiopia. I didn’t see people who looked like me on screen. That’s why I got into this — to change that.”

For Knife, success isn’t measured in social media followers or premiere red carpets. It’s about impact. He’s an advocate for mental health, especially within fast-paced creative industries.

“This world moves so fast. If you don’t slow down, it’ll burn you out. I’ve learned to journal, to call my friends, to take care of my mind.”

He’s also deeply involved with the GraceCentre Foundation, a family-focused nonprofit that supports underprivileged children. “It’s about remembering where I came from, and using this platform to help.” Knife is proud of his heritage — and grateful. “It keeps me grounded,” he says. “Everything I do, I do with that part of me. For the kid I used to be.”

He’s open about the struggles too — the disappointments, the almosts. Like the time he auditioned for Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis and didn’t get the role. “I was crushed,” he says. “But then I saw the film, and the character’s lines didn’t even make the final cut. It taught me: nothing is wasted. Every ‘no’ leads to a better ‘yes.’”

If there’s one genre Knife is dying to explore, it’s action-comedy.

“I flip. I do acrobatics. I want explosions, stunts, superhero moves.”

His dream role? Miles Morales in a live-action Spider-Man. “That’s the role. If it ever happens, I’d give it everything.” But he’s also curious about comedy, even horror (despite admitting he can’t actually sit through scary movies). “I’m open to anything that lets me move, explore, play.” So what does Knife want young fans — especially those who see themselves in him — to take away from his journey?

“I hope young fans do what they love—because they love it. Do it because you love it. Not for followers. Just because it lights them up. Not for hype. Love is the only fuel that lasts.”

He pauses. Then adds: “I hope I get to be that person someone watches and says, ‘That guy looks like me. If he did it, I can too.’ That’s the dream. That’s why I’m here.” Knife knows he’s become the kind of role model he once searched for. “If one kid watches ZOMBIES 4 and says, ‘I want to be like that guy’—then I’ve done my job.”

Knife may be poised for global stardom, but at heart, he’s still the kid who FaceTimes his cat from hotel rooms. “My cat’s a diva. He’s like me — independent and dramatic,” he laughs. Along with two beloved cavoodles, Nugget keeps Knife connected to home. So much so that before flying to LA, he made a custom T-shirt featuring all three pets and wore it on the plane.

“We don’t deserve animals. They’re better than us.”

“If I could tell 12-year-old me anything, it’d be: trust the process. The ‘no’ you get today could be leading to the best ‘yes’ of your life.”

⚡ QUICKFIRE WITH MEKONNEN KNIFE

Dream destination: Tokyo

Post-project reset: Beach with friends or go-karting

Favorite Disney moment so far: Stepping on set for the first time

Secret talent: Can flip like Spider-Man

Guilty pleasure: Bowling solo

Bucket list still waiting: Skydiving

Mekonnen's Mindful Musts

🎧 FaceTime friends to stay grounded

📓 Journals between shoots

🐾 Travels with a T-shirt covered in photos of his cat (Nugget) and two dogs

🛹 Skateboarding, beaches, bowling, and laser tag to unwind

🎮 Nintendo over Netflix any day

ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires premieres this summer on Disney+. Catch Mekonnen Knife live on the “Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour”Vis a one-of-a-kind interactive live concert experience coming to arenas across North America in Summer 2025. Tickets are on sale now here: BUY TICKETS .