Who would have thought that someday, we’d see a Filipina play a Disney princess in an actual Disney production? Well, that day has come. Say hello to our newest Disney princess: Grammy- and Oscar-award-winning Fil-Am artist, H.E.R.!
Image: (L) HER Music Facebook | (R) Disney Studios
In July, US TV network ABC announced that they will be airing a 30th anniversary special for Beauty and the Beast, in partnership with Disney. The TV special, titled Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration, will be a two-hour production that reportedly combines animated and live-action sequences. And of course, there will be the classic Beauty and the Beast songs we know and love, which will reportedly be performed in front of a live audience at Disney Studios.
In a press statement, H.E.R. said about her Disney role: “I can’t believe I get to be a part of the Beauty and the Beast legacy. The world will see a Black and Filipino Belle!” She also stated, “I have always wanted to be a Disney princess, and I get to work with two wonderful directors, Hamish Hamilton and my favorite, Jon M. Chu. It is very surreal, and I couldn’t be more grateful.”
Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M. Chu is executive producing the show, with The Little Mermaid Live‘s Hamish Hamilton set to direct.
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Chu said of H.E.R.: “With her obvious extraordinary talent and stage presence, H.E.R. is the perfect embodiment of our Belle, and we are thrilled for audiences to see her in this celebration of creativity. We were both influenced as storytellers by the original animated movie, so it’s very exciting to collaborate together to honor the artistry of that timeless classic while also inspiring a whole new generation of creators.”
Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration will be airing on ABC on December 15, 2022, and will stream on Disney+ the following day.
Are you excited to see a Filipina playing a Disney Princess? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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