Anne Wheeler is a character in the film, The Greatest Showman, who performs as one of P. T. Barnum's circus acts. She is portrayed by former Disney Channel star Zendaya.
Background
Personality
Anne is an introverted, audacious and self-conscious African American woman. She is a confident and experienced trapeze artist, having performed with her brother for many years. Throughout the movie Anne is seen to be deeply affected by the racist assumptions of 19th-century American culture. Her internal conflicts, partnered with her skin colour discrimination, keep her from feeling truly accepted in society, and serve as an obstacle to her relationship with Phillip.
Physical Appearance
Anne is recognized by various characters for her beauty, with Phillip Carlyle falling deeply in love with her at first sight.
Anne has long brown hair often worn down while not in costume. However, when Anne performs she stands out with her pink wig, matching her vibrant purple costume. When not performing, she can usually be seen wearing colorful clothes, such as her theater dress.
Abilities
Anne displays a few notable athletic abilities. She is able to perform on trapeze at stunning speeds with ease and skill, such as in the musical number 'The Greatest Show' where she is seen flying across the stage while singing. Despite her slim figure, Anne seems to have considerable strength. In the musical number 'Rewrite the Stars' she is able to perform aerial maneuvers with a rope while holding on with one hand.
Appearances
The Greatest Showman
Anne and her brother W. D. Wheeler attend one of P. T. Barnum's audition's for 'unique persons' to join Barnum's American Museum. They join the troupe, performing a trapeze and acrobatic act.
While performing during one of the shows, Anne catches a glimpse of Phillip Carlyle, a new producer for the show. After the show, Barnum introduces Anne to Phillip. Phillip quickly falls in love with Anne, and soon she begins to reciprocate his feelings.
Phillip arranges for Barnum and some members of his troupe to visit England and meet Queen Victoria, who has taken an interest in the show. Assuming she and her brother will not be allowed to attend due to their skin colour, Anne asks if every act is invited, to which Phillip responds that he will tell the Queen all of them will come or none at all. While watching Jenny Lind's performance with the rest of the troupe, Phillip and Anne begin to hold hands, but she is hurt when Phillip catches sight of his parents and drops her hand instantly.
Anne is invited to the theatre to watch a singer perform, Barnum having arranged for her to obtain a ticket. Believing she will be watching the performance alone, she is surprised when Phillip arrives, requesting the two tickets that Barnum has set aside for them. Anne likes Phillip's attempt at organizing a date, but before they even enter the theatre, Phillip's mother and father appear and condescendingly tell him to stop associating with 'the help'. Anne leaves, deeply hurt, even though Phillip calls for her to wait.
Anne retreats back to the circus, followed by Phillip. He begins to confess his love for her, but she tells him they can't be together because of who she is and who he is ('Rewrite the Stars'). Anne's recognition that society would never allow them to live together in peace convinces her to put aside her feelings for Phillip.
When the circus building catches fire and begins to burn down, Anne fails to escape with the rest of the troupe through the front entrance, causing her brother W.D. to panic. Phillip goes back into the building to try to save Anne, not realizing that Anne has escaped unharmed through the back exit. The building collapses around Phillip, leaving him injured and unconscious. Anne holds on tight to W.D. as they and the troupe watch anxiously to see whether Phillip comes out, and when Barnum goes in to retrieve him and the building collapses, she mourns their 'deaths'. After Barnum emerges from the collapsed building with Phillip, she is relieved, but deeply impacted by the sight of Phillip unconscious and damaged.
While in hospital, Anne watches over Phillip, witnessing all the cuts and burns he received from attempting to rescue her. Anne tearfully reprises a verse from 'Rewrite the Stars' while holding his bandaged hand, and Philip wakes. Relieved he's okay, Anne kisses him.
Anne is impressed when Phillip offers to continue with the circus if he and Barnum become full partners. In the final musical number, Anne and Phillip perform alongside one another, kissing at the song's conclusion, symbolizing the start of a relationship.
Quotes
Anne Wheeler : Mr. Barnum said he left a ticket for me.
Anne Wheeler : I've always wanted to go to the theatre.
Anne Wheeler : You think it's easy/You think I don't wanna run to you/But there are mountains/And there are doors that we can't walk through. (Rewrite the Stars)
Anne Wheeler : And what is your act, Mr Carlyle?
Phillip Carlyle : Uh, I don't have an act.
Anne Wheeler : Everyone's got an act.
Anne Wheeler : [singing to Philip] You know I want you/It's not a secret I try to hide/But I can't have you/We're bound to break and my hands are tied. (Rewrite the Stars)
Phillip Carlyle : Anne, they're small minded people. Why do you care what they think?
Anne Wheeler : It's not just them. You've never had anyone look at you the way your parents just looked at me. The way everyone would look at us.
Phillip Carlyle : Before I met you, I had a name, an inheritance, and an invitation to every party in town. Now thanks to you, all that's gone. All I have is love, friendship, and a work that I adore. You brought joy into my life.
Lettie Lutz : Into all our lives.
Lord of Leeds : Hear, hear!
P.T. Barnum : If only the bank would take joy as collateral.
Phillip Carlyle : Well, they might not, but I will. I own 10% of the show. Knowing who I was working for, I had the good sense to take my cut weekly.
P.T. Barnum : Phillip, I can't let you gamble it on me.
Anne Wheeler : Sure you can!
Lettie Lutz : Don't turn sensible on us now!
Phillip Carlyle : Partners. 50/50.
Gallery
Images of Anne Wheeler/Gallery.
Trivia
- Anne Wheeler is a fictional character and is not based on a historical person.
- Zendaya, the actress that portrayed Wheeler, did all of her own trapeze stunts.
- During her time with Disney Zendaya starred in "Shake It Up", "Best Frenemies", "Zapped", and "K.C. Undercover".
- In real life Zendaya is part African American and part Caucasian American. Her father is African and her mother is white.