You know the feeling. Those first few notes of the synthesizer swell, and suddenly you’re hovering over the streets of Agrabah. It’s arguably the most famous Disney song of the 1990s. But if you try to win a trivia night by naming who sings a whole new world Aladdin, you might actually get it wrong.
Why? Because there isn't just one "official" version.
Depending on whether you grew up watching the VHS on a loop, listening to the radio in 1993, or caught the live-action remake in theaters, the voices in your head are completely different. It’s a bit of a rabbit hole. We have the original film singers, the pop stars who took it to the top of the Billboard charts, and the new generation from the 2019 reimagining.
Let's break down the voices that gave life to Aladdin and Jasmine.
The Original 1992 Film: Brad Kane and Lea Salonga
Most people picture the animated Aladdin and Jasmine when they hear the song. But here is the thing: the actors who spoke the lines—Scott Weinger and Linda Larkin—didn't sing a single note.
The singing voice of Aladdin was Brad Kane. At the time, he was a young actor who managed to capture that perfect mix of "street rat" grit and pure, soaring tenor. He wasn't a household name, but his voice became the blueprint for every musical theater kid for the next three decades.
Then there’s Jasmine. Lea Salonga provided the singing voice, and honestly, she’s a legend for a reason. Before Aladdin, she had already won a Tony Award for Miss Saigon. Disney executives knew they needed someone with technical precision because "A Whole New World" isn't an easy song. It requires incredible breath control. Salonga delivered so perfectly that Disney brought her back later to be the singing voice of Mulan. She’s the only person to be the singing voice for two different Disney Princesses.
If you’re watching the 1992 movie, it’s Kane and Salonga. Their version won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Grammy for Song of the Year. It’s the "purest" version for purists.
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The Radio Hit: Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle
While the film version was winning Oscars, a different version was dominating the airwaves. This is where the confusion usually starts. Back in the '90s, Disney had a strategy: release a theatrical version for the kids and a "pop" version for the adults to buy on CD.
For the commercial release of who sings a whole new world Aladdin, Disney tapped R&B powerhouse Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle.
This version is much more "adult contemporary." It’s got the 90s drums, the heavy reverb, and a lot more vocal riffs (melismas) than the movie version. It was a massive success. In fact, it did something almost impossible: it knocked Whitney Houston’s "I Will Always Love You" off the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 after a 14-week run.
Peabo Bryson was basically the king of Disney duets at that point. He had already done "Beauty and the Beast" with Celine Dion. Regina Belle brought a soulful, sophisticated vibe to Jasmine that was very different from Salonga’s Broadway style. If you remember the music video with the singers in a dark studio with fancy lighting, that’s Peabo and Regina.
The 2019 Live-Action Remake: Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott
Fast forward to 2019. Disney’s live-action "Aladdin" hits theaters, and a whole new generation asks the same question. In this version, the actors did their own singing.
Mena Massoud played Aladdin, and Naomi Scott played Jasmine.
Naomi Scott, in particular, was already a singer and musician before being cast. Her take on the song is a bit more modern. It feels grounded. While the original 1992 version feels like a fantasy, the 2019 version feels like two people actually having a conversation while flying on a carpet.
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Massoud’s voice is lighter than Brad Kane’s, which some fans loved and some fans... well, didn't. But it worked for the chemistry of that specific film.
The Zayn and Zhavia Ward "End Credits" Version
Just like the original, the 2019 movie had a pop cover for the credits. This time, it was Zayn Malik (formerly of One Direction) and Zhavia Ward.
This version is... different. It’s moody. It’s got a bit of an edge. Zayn’s vocals are very stylized, and Zhavia has a raspy, unique tone. It didn't reach the same heights as the Peabo Bryson version, but it showed how much the song could be reinterpreted for a modern audience.
Why This Song Is Actually Hard to Sing
You've probably tried singing this at karaoke. You probably failed.
The song was written by Alan Menken (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics). Menken is a genius, but he writes songs that are deceptively difficult. "A Whole New World" relies on a lot of "key changes" and intervals that are hard for amateur singers to hit.
The most famous part—the "indescribable feeling" line—requires the male singer to hit a high note while the female singer provides a counter-melody. If the timing is off by a millisecond, the whole thing falls apart.
A Quick List of Other Notable Covers
Because the song is such a standard, plenty of other famous people have tackled it over the years:
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- Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson did a version back when they were the "it" couple of the early 2000s.
- Kelly Clarkson has performed it live, because she can sing literally anything.
- Stellar (the K-pop group) and many others have done international versions.
- Lea Salonga actually performed it once with Il Divo, which is a wild crossover if you enjoy operatic pop.
The "Mandela Effect" and Aladdin's Voice
There is a weird phenomenon where people swear they remember Scott Weinger (who played Steve on Full House) singing the song. He didn't. He has joked in interviews that he can't sing at all.
Even during the recording sessions, Brad Kane had to match his voice to Scott's speaking patterns so the transition from talking to singing wouldn't be jarring. They did a great job—so great that millions of people are still confused about who sings a whole new world Aladdin to this day.
How to Tell the Versions Apart
If you're listening and aren't sure which one you're hearing, look for these "tells":
- Orchestral and Clear: If it sounds like a Broadway stage and the voices are very crisp, it’s Brad Kane and Lea Salonga (The 1992 Film Version).
- Smooth R&B: If there’s a heavy 90s beat and the male singer has a very deep, velvety voice, it’s Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle (The 1992 Pop Version).
- Modern and Cinematic: If the voices sound "closer" to the mic and the arrangements are lush and updated, it’s Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott (The 2019 Film Version).
- Moody and Dark: If it sounds like something you’d hear in a trendy clothing store, it’s Zayn and Zhavia Ward (The 2019 Pop Version).
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Performers
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of Disney music or perhaps perform this song yourself, here are the best ways to engage with the material:
- Check out the "Diamond Edition" features: Most streaming versions of the original Aladdin include "behind the scenes" footage of Brad Kane and Lea Salonga in the recording booth. It is a masterclass in vocal performance.
- Practice the "Counter-Melody": If you’re singing this as a duet, the hardest part isn't the high notes; it's the bridge. Focus on the timing where the two voices overlap.
- Listen to the demos: You can find Alan Menken’s original demos online. Hearing the composer sing the song himself gives you a totally different perspective on how the melody was intended to flow.
- Explore the International Versions: Aladdin was dubbed into dozens of languages. The French version ("Ce Rêve Bleu") and the Spanish version ("Un Mundo Ideal") feature some of the best vocalists in those regions and offer a fresh take on the familiar melody.
The legacy of "A Whole New World" isn't just about one singer. It’s about how a single melody can be adapted across decades, genres, and voices while still making everyone feel like they’re flying. Whether you prefer the Broadway precision of Lea Salonga or the R&B soul of Regina Belle, the song remains the gold standard for movie duets.
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