H.E.R. playing lead role Belle in ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Special on ABC

Award-winning Filipino American artist H.E.R. and Josh Groban are playing the lead roles in the TV adaptation Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration. HANDOUT
Award-winning Filipino American artist H.E.R. and Josh Groban are playing the lead roles in the TV adaptation Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration, airing Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, and streaming on Disney+ the following day.
“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!” said Grammy and Oscar-winning H.E.R in a press statement.
“I have always wanted to be a Disney princess, and I get to work with two wonderful directors, Hamish Hamilton and my favorite, Jon M. Chu. It is very surreal, and I couldn’t be more grateful.”
Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights) produced and Hamish Hamilton (The Little Mermaid Live) directed the adaptation, featuring live performances and animation.
The 25-year-old singer-songwriter is will also appear in the film musical adaption of The Color Purple from Warner Bros.