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Cinderella was a groundbreaking TV film second when it aired on Nov. 2, 1997. From the second we noticed Brandy and Whitney Houston, the various Disney movie was immediately iconic. And now that the movie is about to show 25, ABC is having a look at its legacy with a particular solid reunion, set to air Aug. 23, 2022.
Cinderella made historical past with Brandy turning into the primary Black actress to play the character on display screen. The film additionally featured a multi-cultural solid that additionally included Whitney, Whoopi Goldberg, Victor Garber, Paolo Montalban, and extra.
Remarking on Cinderella’s trailblazing variety for a particular Twenty fifth-anniversary reunion, Bernadette Peters recalled, “Cinderella was by no means done that way earlier than. Which was saying to younger those that had been watching that this might be you. There’s a spot for everyone, there’s an opportunity for everyone. It’s a narrative for each little boy and woman.”
Brandy
Brandy Norwood, 43, was hand-picked by Whitney Houston to play Cinderella within the 1997 film. It was a monumental position for the singer, who remembered having horrible self-confidence on the time. “I assumed I used to be ugly,” she confessed through the Twenty fifth-anniversary particular. “I turned out to be the primary Black princess. That’s fairly unbelievable.”
Lower than a yr after Cinderella, Brandy launched her second album, By no means Say By no means. Her duet with Monica, “The Boy Is Mine,” turned an prompt basic and the best-selling track of the yr. The identical yr, Brandy made her characteristic movie debut within the horror movie I Nonetheless Know What You Did Final Summer time.
In 2002, she starred within the MTV actuality collection Brandy: Particular Supply, which documented her being pregnant and the beginning of her daughter Sy’rai. Her daughter, whom she shares with Robert “Massive Bert” Smith, was born in June 2002. Just a few years later, she was one of many preliminary judges of the primary season of America’s Received Expertise and starred within the VH1 actuality collection Brandy and Ray J: A Household Enterprise along with her household.
Brandy was a contestant in season 11 of Dancing With the Stars. She got here in fourth place. Brandy went on to star in TV reveals like The Recreation, Star, and extra. She launched her seventh album, B7, in July 2020. It was her first album in 8 years. She was in a Verzuz battle with Monica in Aug. 2020, which was a large hit. She carried out on the Billboard Music Awards a couple of months later. Brandy will probably be John Legend’s battle advisor throughout season 20 of The Voice.
Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston starred as the enduring Fairy Godmother in Cinderella. Along with starring within the movie, Whitney additionally co-produced it. A yr after Cinderella, Whitney launched her first album in 8 years, My Love Is Your Love. One in every of Whitney’s duets on the album, “When You Imagine” with Mariah Carey, was featured on The Prince of Egypt soundtrack and gained the 1999 Academy Award for Finest Unique Track.
Over time, Whitney struggled with drug and alcohol dependancy. She went to rehab in 2004. Two years later, she appeared within the actuality collection Being Bobby Brown along with her then-husband Bobby Brown. That very same yr, Whitney filed for divorce from Bobby after a tumultuous marriage. After 6 years with out an album, Whitney launched I Look To You in 2009. Whitney entered rehab once more in 2011.
Whitney tragically died on Feb. 11, 2012, the day earlier than the Grammys. She was 48 years outdated. The singer was found underwater in her Beverly Hilton bathtub. The reason for demise was an unintentional drowning. She was survived by her daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, who died simply 3 years later on the age of twenty-two. Bobbi Kristina was discovered unconscious in a crammed bathtub as properly. She died after almost 6 months in a coma.
Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg, 66, performed Queen Constantina, Prince Christopher’s mom. Whoopi has continued to showcase her skills in numerous methods over time. She has pursued theater alternatives and gained a Tony in 2002 for producing Totally Fashionable Millie. From 2006 to 2008, the Oscar winner hosted the radio present Wake Up with Whoopi.
Beginning in 2007, Whoopi turned the brand new moderator and co-host of The View. She has additionally starred in films like Toy Story 3, For Coloured Women, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, and extra. Not too long ago, she starred within the CBS All Entry present The Stand. She’s going to seem within the second season of Star Trek: Picard as Guinan. She is ready to reprise the beloved position of Deloris Van Cartier within the upcoming Sister Act 3.
Victor Garber
Victor Garber, 73, performed King Maximillian, Prince Christopher’s father. Only a few weeks after Cinderella aired, Titanic was launched. The film turned the top-grossing movie of all-time till 2010. Victor starred within the movie as Thomas Andrews. He went on to star in different main films like Legally Blonde, Argo, Milk, and Happiest Season.
One in every of Victor’s most notable roles is enjoying Jack Bristowe within the ABC collection Alias. The present ran from 2001 to 2006. He guest-starred in reveals like Fashionable Household, Glee, Damages, and Schitt’s Creek. He additionally performed Dr. Martin Stein for almost 3 seasons of Legends of Tomorrow. He starred within the Broadway revival of Whats up, Dolly! in 2018.
Bernadette Peters
Bernadette Peters, 74, performed Cinderella’s Stepmother within the 1997 TV movie. She is a beloved and intensely gifted Broadway performer. One in every of her finest roles is Rose within the 2003 Broadway manufacturing Gypsy. She notably changed Bette Midler within the 2018 Broadway revival of Whats up, Dolly!
She performed Gloria Windsor in 4 seasons of Amazon Prime Video’s Mozart within the Jungle. Bernadette had the recurring position of Lenore within the first 2 seasons of The Good Battle. She lately guest-starred as Ms. Freesia within the short-lived CW collection Katy Keene.
Jason Alexander
Jason Alexander, 62, starred as Lionel in Cinderella. Just a few years later, he starred within the standard Broadway manufacturing of The Producers alongside Matthew Broderick. They went on to star within the 2005 movie model. He’s had roles over time in TV reveals like Pay attention Up!, The Grinder, Goober and Gunkle, and extra. Jason voices Sy Borgman within the animated collection Harley Quinn. He appeared as Asher Friedman in season 3 of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Paolo Montalban
Paolo Montalbán, 49, starred as Prince Christopher. It was his tv debut. He performed Kung Lao within the Mortal Kombat: Conquest in 1998. Paolo has guest-starred on reveals like Madam Secretary, Nurse Jackie, and extra. His final TV challenge was an episode of The Blacklist in 2015. He lately starred within the 2020 movie The Lady Who Left Residence.
Natalie Desselle
Natalie Desselle performed Minerva within the 1997 TV movie. Within the years after Cinderella, Natalie appeared in reveals like For Your Love, ER, Eve, and extra. Her films included Madea’s Massive Joyful Household, Zoe Gone, and Let Lorenzo. The 2017 movie Ya Killin’ Me was her last position. Natalie died on Dec. 7, 2020, after battling colon most cancers. She was 53 years outdated.
Veanne Cox
Veanne Cox, 59, performed Calliope in Cinderella. Her notable movie roles post-Cinderella embody You’ve Received Mail, Erin Brockovich, and Two Weeks Discover. She has guest-starred in numerous TV reveals over time. Her most up-to-date roles embody guest-starring gigs in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, New Amsterdam, and Tommy. Veanne has had an unimaginable stage profession as properly. Her productions embody An American in Paris, La Cage aux Folles, and extra.