For the first time ever, Beauty and the Beast's Belle will be played by a "Black and Filipina" queen, singer-songwriter H.E.R. The five-time Grammy winner, whose real name is Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, will take on the iconic role in the live-action 30th anniversary special of the Disney classic.
As soon as the behind-the-scenes photos were released online, eagle-eyed netizens noticed how one of the Fil-Am's costumes has an indigenous Baybayin script, which simply reads as "Bel." ICYDK, it was the form of writing widely used by Filipinos before the Spanish colonization.
Pinoys totally loved how H.E.R. paid homage to her Filipino roots.
"I never thought that I could be a Disney princess," she shared in an interview with Good Morning America. "Of course, every little girl wants to be a Disney princess, but I've never seen one that looks like me—so I get to be that to little girls now."
Way to go, Gabriella!
Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration will be available on Disney+ on December 16, 2022.
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