H.E.R. Details History-Making Casting As Belle in Upcoming 'Beauty and the Beast' Special (Exclusive)

etonline.com:

H.E.R. is gearing up to show the world a new take on Belle. The singer and actress is set to play the iconic Disney princess in ABC's forthcoming live-action/animated special, and she is looking forward to the experience.The celebrated musician performed at the charity gala The Event, presented by the by the Shaquille O'Neal Foundation, at MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday, and spoke with ET's Kevin Frazier after her performance about her historic casting.«Oh my gosh, I'm so excited!

I've been in the studio, playing with the arrangements, of course staying true to the original but giving it a new fresh twist,» the 25-year-old musician marveled. «It's gonna be like H.E.R.

but also Belle, you know? And I'm really excited.»When it comes to what will make her Belle different, H.E.R. shared, «I think the world has never seen a Black and Filipino Belle and there's a strength in Belle that I think we forget about sometimes, and I think people are gonna see that, musically, and just in the way that she is.»The news of the casting was first announced in July, when ABC revealed their choice to play the fan-favorite princess, who joined the previously announced executive producer Jon M.

Chu and director Hamish Hamilton on the special.According to ABC's announcement, H.E.R. will take part in «never-before-seen musical performances celebrating and paying homage to the beloved tale» in the two-hour , which will be recorded in front of a live audience at Disney Studios and air Thursday, Dec.