ABC is plotting an animated and live-action blended special called Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration and they found the perfect person to play the lead role. The five-time Grammy-winning R&B singer H.E.R. will portray Belle in this exciting special.
This TV special will pay homage to the timeless tale and it’ll feature new sets and costumes inspired by the classic story. It will air on December 15 on ABC before heading to Disney+ the next day. Hamish Hamilton is set to direct the special, while Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights) serves as the executive producer.
H.E.R. released an official statement expressing her excitement to join the project and said she’s proud that the world will finally get to see a Black and Filipino Belle.
“I can’t believe I get to be a part of the Beauty and the Beast legacy. 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,” said H.E.R.
Most people know H.E.R as an accomplished singer, but playing Belle won’t be her first attempt at acting. She’s set to make her feature film debut in the upcoming film adaptation of The Color Purple, also starring Fantasia Barrino, Colman Domingo, Taraji P. Henson, and Ciara.
