Award-winning Filipino-American artist Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, popularly known as H.E.R., is to take on the role of Belle for ABC’s "Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration."
She proudly announced this on Instagram, uploading a video of her singing.
H.E.R. wrote: "PRACTICING MY DISNEY PRINCESS IN NICE (flag for France emoji with crown and face with tears of joy emojis)."
She told her followers: "YOURE LOOKING AT THE FIRST BLACK AND FILIPINO BELLE FOR ABC’s ‘Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration’"
H.E.R. added that she has always wanted to be a Disney princess.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Variety, H.E.R. reiterated that she's honored to work with directors Hamish Hamilton and Jon M. Chu for the project.
According to the article, "songs from the original animated classic will be performed in front of a live audience at Disney Studios, though the special will not be shot live. The special will air on ABC on Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. ET and will be available to stream the following day on Disney+. Jon M. Chu is executive producing with Hamish Hamilton onboard to direct."
The 25-year-old star is a five-time Grammy winner and has also received recognition from the Academy Awards.
She also earned nods from the Golden Globe Awards and the Billboard Music Awards.
On the other hand, H.E.R. will make her feature acting debut in the Warner Bros. adaptation of “The Color Purple.”
Meanwhile, Filipino-American stand-up comic Jo Koy commended H.E.R. for the milestone.
On his social media account, he uploaded a screenshot of the article announcing H.E.R.'s Belle stint.
"Congratulations to @hermusicofficial Filipino Pride!!," he wrote.
The post was immediately reposted by H.E.R..