H.E.R. will take on the role of ‘Belle’ in ABC’s forthcoming live-action/animated Beauty and the Beast special, celebrating the movie’s 30th anniversary. The casting marks the first time an Afro Filipina woman will portray the iconic character onscreen. Additional castings will be announced at a later date.
According to ABC, the 25-year-old H.E.R. will take part in “never-before-seen musical performances celebrating and paying homage to the beloved tale” in the two-hour Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration, which will be recorded in front of a live audience at Disney Studios and air Thursday, Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
H.E.R., who will also serve as a producer on the special, said in a statement: “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! 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.”
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