In the reimagined special, H.E.R. brings Belle to life, taking on a role previously portrayed by Emma Watson in 2017's live-action feature. Through her lead role, the ubertalented Grammy- and Academy Award-winning artist becomes the first Afro Filipina woman to play the character. The "I Can't Breathe" singer-songwriter expressed excitement over landing the role in a statement, per Deadline, that reads, "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."
The 25-year-old R&B star is also slated to appear in another modern iteration of a classic musical, "The Color Purple," alongside a stacked cast that includes Halle Bailey, Ciara, Jon Batiste, and more.
Others joining H.E.R. in the "Beauty and the Beast" special include Groban as Beast, Joshua Henry as Gaston, David Alan Grier as Cogsworth, and Rita Moreno as the narrator. Martin Short and Shania Twain are also confirmed members of the cast, per Entertainment Weekly.
