H.E.R. On Wearing a Belle Costume With a New Kind of “Confidence”
As she steps into her historic role as Belle, H.E.R. is feeling every bit of the beauty that she is.
Denny Directo chatted with the GRAMMY-winning singer at the premiere of Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration live-action/animated special on Tuesday, where she spoke up about the newfound confidence she’s felt since taking on the role of Belle.
“I believe every little girl wants to be that, and I’m a huge, enormous Disney lover and Disney princess fan, so the fact that it’s happening, I’m like, ‘Wow.’ I’m pinching myself,” H.E.R. exclaimed.
The 25-year-old will appear in the program alongside Josh Groban as the Beast, Martin Short as Lumière, and Shania Twain as Mrs. Potts. Rita Moreno will also play the narrator, while Joshua Henry will play Gaston, David Alan Grier will play Cogsworth, Rizwan Manji will play LeFou, Jon Jon Briones will play Maurice, and Leo Abelo Perry will play Chip.
The “My Own” singer couldn’t decide which member of the star-studded cast she admires the most, calling the group “wonderful.”
“Oh my goodness, all of them,” she exclaimed. “I mean Shania Twain because I adore her, but I also enjoy watching David Alan Grier and Martin Short connect, and Josh Groban because he’s so lovely and gentle. So it’s an incredible, incredible group.”
The casting is the first time an Afro-Filipina woman will play the legendary character onscreen, and it’s an honor for the songstress. It’s a moment that has her striding with newfound confidence.
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“I’m walking differently now as a result of that experience. I don’t know what it is, but I have a new type of confidence “H.E.R. has been exposed. “And I truly like it. It feels great to be a Disney princess.”
“It’s one of the most enjoyable things I’ve ever done,” she continued.
It was also a difficult time for the singer, who acknowledged that she was scared before going onstage.
“Not necessarily terrifying, but definitely frenetic, and I was a little scared, but the excitement kind of made the nervous go away,” H.E.R. explained.
H.E.R., whose actual name is Gabriela Wilson, said she’s entering into a new era, renouncing her stage name in favor of her true name.
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“It’s the start of so many other things. For so long, I’ve kept it about the music, but now it’s time for people to get to know the person behind the music and see all the other things I enjoy, such as being a Disney princess “She elaborated.
“And Color Purple is on the way,” the singer added. “So, whether I’m producing or acting, I’m looking forward to a lot of projects. It’s going to be a fantastic time.”
Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration premieres on ABC on December 15 and will be available on Disney+ the following day.