Fans React To H.E.R. Being 'First Black & Filipino' Disney Princess

Disney is definitely diversifying, which is why for the first time, Belle, from the classic "Beauty and the Beast" will be played by an African-Filipino, H.E.R. She will be essaying Belle in the ABC upcoming animated and live-action blended special, "Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration" which comes produced by Jon M. Chu and is directed by Hamish Hamilton.

So what is the new "Beauty and the Beast" all about, and what makes it so special, other than H.E.R. of course... and why are some on social media against the casting?

2022 marks the 30th anniversary when the classic Disney animation movie, "Beauty and the Beast" was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. The movie went on to win the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, and to top the win, the theme song “Beauty and the Beast” won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1992. It was first sung by Angela Lansbury and then a pop version by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson was also released.

The ABC production is dubbed "Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration" and comes produced by Done+Dusted in association with Walt Disney Television Alternative and Electric Somewhere. Along with playing and voicing Belle, H.E.R. also serves as a producer.

H.E.R. is the stage name of Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, and it's an acronym for 'Having Everything Revealed.' She has amassed 20 Grammy Award nominations and four wins, plus an Academy Award for her song “Fight For You,” from Judas and the Black Messiah. In 2023, H.E.R. will also make her acting debut in the Warner Bros. adaptation of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical "The Color Purple."

What does she feel about the part? H.E.R. is over the moon, saying, "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."

Chu also reciprocated the feelings, saying, "With her 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. 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.”

H.E.R. released her debut album, "Back of My Mind," in June 2021 and won the Song of the Year Grammy Award for "I Can’t Breathe."

See H.E.R celebrate:

As usual, when it comes to Instagram and Twitter, there are fans and trolls in equal amounts, meaning that while some are delighted for H.E.R., others are questioning Disney's judgment.

Fans seemed rather charmed at the news as well, one writing, "When BatB was on broadway, Toni Braxton played the role for a period of time and was amazing. They even added a new song for her. I’m sure H.E.R will be great in the role as long as the direction of the production is good. This isn’t a remake. It’s simply a stage show that will be televised."

"You’re already our Black and Filipino princess."

More said, "Wait what!!?? I’m happy to say I LOVED Encanto and Moana and lots of other films which celebrate women of color. But this won’t feel like Belle because Disney is visual."

But there were dissenting voices as well...

"Belle isn't black and Philipino tho why do people think this will make things equal? White princesses can't even be a thing anymore?

And there was a perfect reply to comments such as these:

"She’s gonna kill it and if you don’t think so you don’t have to watch it☺️ shove ur racism up ur ass pls ur obviously bored if you feel the need to be hateful in an Instagram comment section 🙄"

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