PS: How do you think being the first African American Cinderella helps change the face of beauty?
KP: Often, as an African American, you don’t see a lot of the people who are being glorified that look like you. I don’t even want to say “glorify,” but rather, people who are being appreciated — like princesses. A lot of times they’re not African American, and sometimes that can put in your mind that you’re not beautiful or worthy, because of the way you look. When you see African Americans play a role like Cinderella or any character that has some type of special thing to them, it makes you know that it’s possible and just because you haven’t seen it, it doesn’t mean you can’t be it.
PS: The show also sends a positive message about interracial couples.
KP: I was thinking that the other night, that it’s so great on an interracial level because you see these two people falling in love — I forgot that he was white and I was black. I wasn’t thinking about the color and just thinking we’re two people in love. And I wanted to portray that in the best way possible. I realized that’s also another thing people have taken from the show.
PS: And the fact that Cinderella’s dad had an interracial marriage too because her stepsisters are white.
KP: That’s such a great point. I think that’s so awesome, too.
PS: Have you had any fun fan experiences yet? I saw so many little girls dressed up like princesses in the audience!
KP: I walk out after every show to sign autographs, take pictures, and meet everyone to tell them how thankful I am they came. A lot of moms and grandmothers tell me they appreciate that I do this, because it inspires their daughters. It is [people of] all colors actually — black girls, white, Asians, and Hispanics. It just makes me happy that I can inspired them in the way others have done for me.
PS: Who is your role model?
KP: My mom inspires me with her strength and her ability to get everything done, and that spills over to me. Sometimes, I’m like, “Mom, you made me feel like this is possible.” And she’s like, “Oh, well, I guess you’re right.” She’s inspired me in a lot of ways — even more than she knows. A lot of entertainers have inspired me through out my career.
PS: Is there anyone in particular in Hollywood who is inspiring you right now?
KP: Brandy has inspired me a lot. Also, Rihanna in the way she teaches me not to be afraid to be myself. She embodies the idea of the “real you” and she’s not perfect. Girls always try to be society’s idea of perfect, and the reality is, you’re never going to be perfect for anybody. So instead of trying to be perfect for everybody, just be perfect for yourself by being you. Allow the world to see who you are because at the end of the day that’s what you’re put on the Earth for. No one else is you, but you!
![PS: How do you think being the first African American Cinderella helps change the face of beauty?
KP: Often, as an African American, you don’t see a lot of the people who are being glorified that look like you. I don’t even want to say “glorify,” but rather, people who are being appreciated — like princesses. A lot of times they’re not African American, and sometimes that can put in your mind that you’re not beautiful or worthy, because of the way you look. When you see African Americans play a role like Cinderella or any character that has some type of special thing to them, it makes you know that it’s possible and just because you haven’t seen it, it doesn’t mean you can’t be it.
PS: The show also sends a positive message about interracial couples.
KP: I was thinking that the other night, that it’s so great on an interracial level because you see these two people falling in love — I forgot that he was white and I was black. I wasn’t thinking about the color and just thinking we’re two people in love. And I wanted to portray that in the best way possible. I realized that’s also another thing people have taken from the show.
PS: And the fact that Cinderella’s dad had an interracial marriage too because her stepsisters are white.
KP: That’s such a great point. I think that’s so awesome, too.
PS: Have you had any fun fan experiences yet? I saw so many little girls dressed up like princesses in the audience!
KP: I walk out after every show to sign autographs, take pictures, and meet everyone to tell them how thankful I am they came. A lot of moms and grandmothers tell me they appreciate that I do this, because it inspires their daughters. It is [people of] all colors actually — black girls, white, Asians, and Hispanics. It just makes me happy that I can inspired them in the way others have done for me.
PS: Who is your role model?
KP: My mom inspires me with her strength and her ability to get everything done, and that spills over to me. Sometimes, I’m like, “Mom, you made me feel like this is possible.” And she’s like, “Oh, well, I guess you’re right.” She’s inspired me in a lot of ways — even more than she knows. A lot of entertainers have inspired me through out my career.
PS: Is there anyone in particular in Hollywood who is inspiring you right now?
KP: Brandy has inspired me a lot. Also, Rihanna in the way she teaches me not to be afraid to be myself. She embodies the idea of the “real you” and she’s not perfect. Girls always try to be society’s idea of perfect, and the reality is, you’re never going to be perfect for anybody. So instead of trying to be perfect for everybody, just be perfect for yourself by being you. Allow the world to see who you are because at the end of the day that’s what you’re put on the Earth for. No one else is you, but you!](https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/GfJYY-sg_-C5eKEENWwKK4dnQlU/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:format_auto-!!-:strip_icc-!!-/2014/09/19/923/n/1922153/f23461f0d8891a85_455103354/i/PS-How-do-you-think-being-first-African-American-Cinderella.jpg "PS: How do you think being the first African American Cinderella helps change the face of beauty?
KP: Often, as an African American, you don’t see a lot of the people who are being glorified that look like you. I don’t even want to say “glorify,” but rather, people who are being appreciated — like princesses. A lot of times they’re not African American, and sometimes that can put in your mind that you’re not beautiful or worthy, because of the way you look. When you see African Americans play a role like Cinderella or any character that has some type of special thing to them, it makes you know that it’s possible and just because you haven’t seen it, it doesn’t mean you can’t be it.
PS: The show also sends a positive message about interracial couples.
KP: I was thinking that the other night, that it’s so great on an interracial level because you see these two people falling in love — I forgot that he was white and I was black. I wasn’t thinking about the color and just thinking we’re two people in love. And I wanted to portray that in the best way possible. I realized that’s also another thing people have taken from the show.
PS: And the fact that Cinderella’s dad had an interracial marriage too because her stepsisters are white.
KP: That’s such a great point. I think that’s so awesome, too.
PS: Have you had any fun fan experiences yet? I saw so many little girls dressed up like princesses in the audience!
KP: I walk out after every show to sign autographs, take pictures, and meet everyone to tell them how thankful I am they came. A lot of moms and grandmothers tell me they appreciate that I do this, because it inspires their daughters. It is [people of] all colors actually — black girls, white, Asians, and Hispanics. It just makes me happy that I can inspired them in the way others have done for me.
PS: Who is your role model?
KP: My mom inspires me with her strength and her ability to get everything done, and that spills over to me. Sometimes, I’m like, “Mom, you made me feel like this is possible.” And she’s like, “Oh, well, I guess you’re right.” She’s inspired me in a lot of ways — even more than she knows. A lot of entertainers have inspired me through out my career.
PS: Is there anyone in particular in Hollywood who is inspiring you right now?
KP: Brandy has inspired me a lot. Also, Rihanna in the way she teaches me not to be afraid to be myself. She embodies the idea of the “real you” and she’s not perfect. Girls always try to be society’s idea of perfect, and the reality is, you’re never going to be perfect for anybody. So instead of trying to be perfect for everybody, just be perfect for yourself by being you. Allow the world to see who you are because at the end of the day that’s what you’re put on the Earth for. No one else is you, but you!")
