• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Culture

Brandy reflects on being 1st Black Cinderella during 'Cinderella: The Reunion, A Special Edition of 20/20'

1:27
Brandy reflects on being cast as 1st Black Cinderella
ABC
ByYi Xie and Hayley FitzPatrick
August 23, 2022, 5:04 PM

Members of the star-studded cast of the 1997 film "Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella" reunited to speak about the movie's legacy in honor of its 25th anniversary.

The Emmy-winning Disney film famously revolutionized the classic tale with its groundbreaking casting: Brandy starred in the titular role, becoming the first Black actress to play Cinderella on screen, and the late Whitney Houston played the Fairy Godmother.

Related Articles

MORE: 'Cinderella' producer reveals Brandy's reaction to call from idol and on-screen fairy godmother Whitney Houston

In ABC News Studios' "Cinderella: The Reunion, A Special Edition of 20/20," airing Aug. 23 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC during Disney’s World Princess Week, Brandy spoke about the significance of taking on that monumental role and what it meant to her.

Brandy Norwood stars in "Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella."
ABC

"My dream when I was a young girl was to be a singer, have my own band and meet Whitney Houston. That was it," she said. "I had no idea that my destiny would take me to a role [like] Cinderella, [or that I would] be the first woman of color to play her. And then for Whitney Houston to be my Fairy God Mother... you gotta be kidding me."

Editor’s Picks

'Cinderella' starring Brandy and the late Whitney Houston is coming to Disney+

  • Feb 11, 2021

Billy Porter says he can 'die and go to heaven' after his historic 'Cinderella' role

  • Sep 02, 2021

Brandy releases 'Starting Now' music video

  • Aug 22, 2022
Brandy Norwood and Whitney Houston star in "Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella".
ABC

In the special, Debra Martin Chase, an executive producer for the film, described casting for the movie as "one of the hardest things" she's ever done. She said they decided to do "not colorblind casting, but diverse casting."

Chase said that Houston "loved Cinderella" and understood the impact the film would have.

"It was one of the things she was most proud of in her career," Chase said while reflecting on Houston's appreciation for the film. "She totally understood the value and the importance, the significance of having a Black Cinderella."

VIDEO: Brandy reflects on being cast as 1st Black Cinderella
1:27
Watch "Cinderella: The Reunion, A Special Edition of 2020," airing August 23 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and stream on Hulu the next day.

Brandy said that she "really did feel like a princess" in the lead role.

"I knew that this was so great for the world to see, especially Black people." she said. "She represented a culture that is beautiful, and I just so appreciated that because that was so much a part of what I wanted to bring to Cinderella."

Brandy, Paolo Montalban, Whoopi Goldberg and Victor Garber star in "Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella."
ABC

She said that she's seen so many people inspired by "Cinderella" over the years.

"That movie changed the way Black little girls believed in themselves," she said. "I hear to this day, 'I believe I can be a princess now because of you.'"

Jason Alexander, Paolo Montalban, Brandy Norwood, Whitney Houston, Bernadette Peters, Natalie Desselle Reid, and Veanne Cox star in "Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderalla."
ABC

Other members of the cast of 1997's "Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella," including Whoopi Goldberg, Paolo Montalban, Victor Garber, Bernadette Peters, Jason Alexander and Veanne Cox, also spoke during the special about the film's impact.

The Wonderful World of Disney will air a presentation of the original film, which is available to stream on Disney+, at 9 p.m. ET, following the special.

ABC News Studios' "Cinderella: The Reunion, A Special Edition of 20/20" airs Aug. 23 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. The special will be available to stream Aug. 24 on Hulu.

Editor’s Picks

'Cinderella' starring Brandy and the late Whitney Houston is coming to Disney+

  • Feb 11, 2021

Billy Porter says he can 'die and go to heaven' after his historic 'Cinderella' role

  • Sep 02, 2021

Brandy releases 'Starting Now' music video

  • Aug 22, 2022

Up Next in Culture—

A timeline of the highs and lows of Sean 'Diddy' Combs: From Grammys to legal trouble

May 12, 2025

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry channel western style at Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour

May 10, 2025

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos return to their soap roots in new Audible drama 'Summer Breeze'

May 10, 2025

Keke Palmer gets candid about breakup in new song 'My Confession'

May 10, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News