Playing Belle in the new live special “Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration” is a “dream come true,” according to H.E.R.
On “Good Morning America” on Wednesday, the award-winning singer—the first Black and Filipina woman to play Belle onscreen—discussed how thrilled she was to take on the part and celebrate the “iconic” movie.
She said, “I never imagined I could be a Disney princess. Every child girl wants to be a Disney princess, of course, but I’ve never seen one who looks like me, so now I get to be that for other girls.
Playing Belle Helped H.E.R. Embrace Her Femininity
In addition to being a producer on “Beauty and the Beast,” she continued, “that’s such a big deal. “I had the opportunity to work with Alan Menken, the original arranger, and producer, and create many of the new arrangements. In all honesty, it’s been a fantastic experience that has taught me a lot about myself, H.E.R. added, “It’s fun to be a Disney princess!” When she learned she received the role, she claimed she was astonished.
“I get to wear the yellow outfit!” I was like right now,” she said. “I had to wear the yellow dress; that will be the occasion, but I was looking forward to it. I had to discover something new about myself, which is why I think time is perfect.
“My inner Disney princess,” who I believe to be this fearless, happy, strong, and somewhat brave thing inside of myself. I’m learning,” H.E.R. said. It’s been an incredible, insane experience. For the television event, she joins a cast that already features Shania Twain, Josh Groban, Martin Short, Joshua Henry, David Alan Grier, and Rita Moreno.
The cast of the television special includes Twain as Mrs. Potts, Groban as the Beast, Short as candelabra Lumière, Henry as Gaston, Grier as Cogsworth the clock, and Moreno as the narrator.
