“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. Cast as Belle in ABC's Beauty and the Beast Live Special: 'It Is Very Surreal' https://t.co/tXpSVsgBHI
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.
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Photos: H.E.R. through the years Check out some memorable photos of singer H.E.R., whose real name is Gabriella "Gabi" Sarmiento Wilson, through the years. (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
Photos: H.E.R. 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. (Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Nickelodeon)
Photos: H.E.R. through the years 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. (Michael Buckner/Getty Images for BET)
Photos: H.E.R. through the years 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. (Todd Williamson/Getty Images for CSE)
Photos: H.E.R. through the years 2016: Singer Gabi Wilson performs at the BET Music Matters Grammy Showcase at W Hollywood on February 13, 2016, in Hollywood, California. (Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for BET)
Photos: H.E.R. through the years 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. (Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
Photos: H.E.R. through the years 2018: H.E.R. performs onstage at the 2018 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 24, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images for BET)
Photos: H.E.R. through the years 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. (Rich Fury/Getty Images for NARAS)
Photos: H.E.R. through the years 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. (Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)
Photos: H.E.R. through the years 2020: H.E.R. attends the 62nd annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for the Recording Academy)
Photos: H.E.R. through the years 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. (Chris Pizzello-Pool/Getty Images)
Photos: H.E.R. through the years 2022: H.E.R. attends the 64th annual Grammy Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 3, 2022, in Las Vegas. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for the Recording Academy)
