Disney+ Adds Brandy’s ‘Cinderella’ as Part of Its Celebrate Black Stories Collection
Disney+ is adding Brandy’s iconic Cinderella to its Celebrate Black Stories collection, created to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
On February 12, the streaming service will add the 1997 made-for-TV movie, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella to its platform. The film made history by casting Brandy to portray Cinderella, making her the first woman of color to play the character on screen.
My entire feed being excited over Brandy’s cinderella is giving me life. The casting and the music in this movie is everything. pic.twitter.com/fZ7IvKCrpN
— Janessa (@JanessaBhere) February 4, 2021
On February 5, Brandy announced the film would be joining Disney+ in an appearance on The View. The show’s moderator, Whoopi Goldberg, co-starred in the film as Queen Constantina.
When the film joins the Disney+ lineup, it will be featured in Disney’s Celebrate Black Stories collection. This collection highlights Black-led films, television, specials, and documentaries as Disney+ celebrates Black History Month.
✨ IT’S POSSIBLE! ✨ “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella” will begin streaming on @disneyplus at the stroke of midnight on Friday, February 12th. 👑 Thank you God and thank you Nippy.🙏🏾🕊 pic.twitter.com/Qipt1SAA3a
— b r a n d y (@4everBrandy) February 4, 2021
In addition to Brandy and Goldberg, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella stars Whitney Houston as the Fairy Godmother, Paolo Montalbán as Prince Christoper, Victor Garber as King Maximillian, and Bernadette Peters as the wicked stepmother.
Houston also served as the film’s executive producer alongside Debra Martin Chase, Craig Zadan, Neil Meron, and David R. Ginsburg. Robert L. Freedman wrote the screenplay while the film was directed by Robert Iscove.
Y’all don’t know how much that Cinderella meant to me growing up. Black girls rarely had any fantasy representation and seeing a dark skinned Cinderella made my LIFE. Like omg 😭😭
— Goose Mama Captain of the ship of Chaos🏴☠️✨ (@Lotsoflaughs_98) February 4, 2021
The film’s casting choices of Brandy, Houston, Goldberg, and Montalbán were an important step towards casting actors that reflected every member of the audience. Over two decades later, the film is remembered as a beacon of representation.
Can we talk about the power of Whitney Houston + @4everBrandy
— Brianna McDonnell (@_the_B_word_) February 4, 2021
”Cinderella” ?!
Don’t EVER tell me representation on film isn’t important. Don’t EVER tell me “non traditional” casting doesn’t work.
The film’s implementation of a multicultural cast including a Filipino-American Prince who had a Black mother and a white father paved the way for other pieces of art such as the musical Hamilton and television series Bridgerton. Visit Disney+ to explore their Celebrate Black Stories collection and to stream this beloved Cinderella.
Writer | Tweet me @Emily_N_Wolfe
