By Brianna Theophile, @itsbriannat

After 26 years after the premiering of the 1997 Rodger and Hammerstein’s ”Cinderella” starring prominent celebrities such as Whitney Houston as the “Fairy Godmother” and Whoopi Goldberg as “Queen Constantina”, actress and singer Brandy reprises her iconic role as Cinderella in Disney’s upcoming Descendants spin-off, “Descendants: Rise of Red”. 

Accompanying her once again is Paolo Montalban, who will also be reprising the role of Prince Charming, playing both the King and Queen in the Descendants universe, as shown in footage from the film’s official first look. 

The original 1997 film was applauded for its innovative multicultural casting for the time and won an Emmy for Outstanding Art Direction for a Variety or Music Program. 

Brandy credits the film’s producers for her casting, including Whitney Houston, Debra Martin Chase, Craig Zadan, and Neil Meron, in which she said the following: “I feel like it opened doors… It’s because of them that I was able to be that person to help open the doors for so many other young artists that want to do things that they probably think are impossible.”

The Descendants franchise focuses on the lives of the children of Disney’s most legendary princesses, princes, and villains. The spin-off “Descendants: Rise of Red” is centered on the journey of Red, the daughter of the Queen of Hearts, and Chloe, the daughter of Cinderella and Prince Charming, as they travel back in time in order to save their home, the kingdom of Auradon.

In Brandy’s words, the release of the film feels like “divine timing”. She also adds, “This was like a dream come true so I’m just so glad that this new generation has this beautiful piece to enjoy.”

As of today, Disney+ has yet to announce the film’s release date, but it is speculated to be released either later on in the year or in early 2024.