Twenty-six years after making history as the first Black Disney princess, Brandy Norwood is returning to her iconic role as Cinderella in “Descendants: The Rise of Red.”
This latest installment in the beloved Disney Descendants franchise brings back the magical world of Auradon Prep with a fresh twist.
In “Descendants: The Rise of Red,” the story unfolds with former Villain Kid Uma now serving as headmaster of Auradon Prep. Uma extends an invitation to Red, the rebellious daughter of the notorious Queen of Hearts from Wonderland.
The Queen of Hearts, harboring a deep-seated grudge against Cinderella, seizes this chance to seek revenge and incite a coup against Auradon.
Red must join forces with Cinderella’s perfectionist daughter, Chloe, portrayed by Malia Baker. Together, they embark on a time-traveling adventure to undo a traumatic event that shaped the Queen of Hearts’ villainous path.
Morgan Dudley will portray “Ella,” a young Cinderella in the past, offering a new perspective on the classic character.
Brandy, who originally played Cinderella in the 1997 production of Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella alongside Whitney Houston, expressed her excitement about reprising her role.
“Stepping into a new set of Cinderella’s glass slippers after all these years feels like a true homecoming,” Brandy shared with ESSENCE. “I’m so thrilled to be a part of the next chapter for Auradon. I’m most excited about seeing the next generation step into these iconic roles.”
Brandy praised Morgan Dudley’s portrayal of young Cinderella, stating:
“Morgan Dudley is an incredible talent, and I have no doubt she’ll bring her magic to ‘Ella.’ It’s been an honor to be a part of the Descendants legacy, and I can’t wait for fans to see how the new story unfolds!”
“Descendants: The Rise of Red” premiered on July 12 on Disney+, with an encore scheduled for Aug. 9 on Disney Channel.
