‘Very surreal’: H.E.R. to play Belle in ‘Beauty and the Beast’ special
A new Belle is adding a fresh look to an old Disney classic.
Five-time Grammy Award winner H.E.R. will play the lead role in the upcoming “Beauty and the Beast” special on ABC, People reported.
“Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration” will be produced by Jon M. Chu (”Crazy Rich Asians,” “In the Heights”), with Hamish Hamilton (”The Little Mermaid Live”) directing the classic tale, Entertainment Weekly reported.
H.E.R., 25, whose real name is Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, said in a statement that she always wanted “to be a Disney princess.”
“I can’t believe I get to be a part of the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ legacy,” she said. “The world will see a Black and Filipino Belle.”
“And I get to work with two wonderful directors Hamish Hamilton and my favorite, Jon M. Chu,” H.E.R. added. “It is very surreal and I couldn’t be more grateful.”
The original animated movie was released in 1991 and featured the voices of Paige O’Hara and Robby Benson, according to IMDb.com.
“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,” Chu said in a statement. “With (H.E.R.’s) 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.”
H.E.R. released her debut R&B album, “Back of My Mind,” in 2021, according to People. Her song “I Can’t Breathe” — named after George Floyd’s last words during his May 2020 death — won a Grammy as 2021′s song of the year. She has been nominated for a Grammy 21 times.
“Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration” will air on Dec. 15, People reported.
Check out some memorable photos of singer H.E.R., whose real name is Gabriella "Gabi" Sarmiento Wilson, through the years.
2012: Singer Gabi Wilson attends the Sweet 16th birthday celebration for Cymphonique Miller, star of Nickelodeon’s "How to Rock," at Greystone Manor on July 27, 2012, in Los Angeles.
2014: Singer Gabi Wilson poses in the press room during the BET AWARDS ’14 at Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on June 29, 2014, in Los Angeles.
2015: Singer Gabi Wilson performs at the 2015 American Music Awards Pre-Party with Coca-Cola at the Conga Room on November 20, 2015, in Los Angeles.
2016: Singer Gabi Wilson performs at the BET Music Matters Grammy Showcase at W Hollywood on February 13, 2016, in Hollywood, California.
2017: H.E.R. performs onstage at Night 2 of the Staples Center Concert, presented by Coca-Cola, during the 2017 BET Experience at LA Live on June 23, 2017, in Los Angeles.
2018: H.E.R. performs onstage at the 2018 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 24, 2018, in Los Angeles.
2019: H.E.R. performs onstage at "Aretha! A Grammy Celebration for the Queen of Soul" at the Shrine Auditorium on January 13, 2019, in Los Angeles.
2019: H.E.R. – winner of Best R&B Performance for "Best Part" and winner of Best R&B Album "H.E.R." – poses in the press room during the 61st annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2019, in Los Angeles.
2020: H.E.R. attends the 62nd annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles.
2021: H.E.R., winner of Best Original Song for "Fight For You" from "Judas and the Black Messiah," poses in the press room at the Oscars on Sunday, April 25, 2021, at Union Station in Los Angeles.
2022: H.E.R. attends the 64th annual Grammy Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 3, 2022, in Las Vegas.
