In the words of Adele, Ladies and Gentlemen; H.E.R.

Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson or more popularly known as H.E.R. is set to play Belle in the 30th Anniversary special of Beauty and The Beast. She will be the very first Afro-Filipina to play the character on screen. The TV adaptation of the movie will be a retelling of the classic Disney movie and feature new performances and musical pieces inspired by the film.

As coincidences go, the original story La Belle et La Bête was written by French novelist Gabrielle-Suzanne de Villeneuve, both Villeneuve & H.E.R. share the same first name (sort of) so perhaps this was fate all along?

In an interview, H.E.R. shared her thoughts on being casted as Belle, "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!" She continued with "I have always wanted to be a Disney princess, and I get to work with two
wonderful directors, Hamish Hamilton and my favourite, Jon M. Chu. It is very surreal, and I couldn't be more grateful."