In My Own Little Corner...
Reliving the thrill of the Brandy-Whitney Cinderella, plus news and recs!
In 1997, more than 60 million viewers watched Brandy play Cinderella. In addition to being a TV ratings bonanza, that Wonderful World of Disney adaptation of Roger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella impacted a generation and featured what producer and co-star Whitney Houston termed a “rainbow” cast.
Brandy was the first Black woman to play Cinderella on screen. Whitney played her Fairy Godmother. Paolo Montalban, who is Filipino, played Prince Charming (technically Prince Christopher). And Charming’s parents are Victor Garber and Whoopi Goldberg. There’s also Bernadette Peters as the evil stepmother and Jason Alexander as the prince’s valet. It’s a glorious ‘90s fever dream.
Twenty-seven years later, Brandy and Paolo have reprised their Cinderella roles in the fourth installment of Disney’s Descendants franchise (streaming on Disney+), and they walked the carpet hand in hand(!) at the film’s premiere this week.
While Descendants: The Rise of Red mostly follows its young stars, Disney wisely used the project as an excuse to put Brandy and Paolo back in their Cinderella regalia — Paolo is now King Charming, and Brandy has bright blue hair — and give them a duet of “So This Is Love.” They also have a daughter, played by Malia Baker, who previously gave a pitch-perfect performance as Mary Anne in Netflix’s adaptation of The Baby-Sitters Club.
If you haven’t yet read this incredible oral history of the Brandy-Whitney Cinderella that Kendra James did for Shondaland in 2017, it’s the perfect weekend read. Sample tidbit:
“They told me to sing like George Michael; do my diction more like George Michael’s. They told Brandy to think of opera singers and almost make fun of what she thought opera singers would sound like,” Paolo recalled. “And the brilliant thing is that both of us really did that, and it didn’t end up sounding crazy.”
You can stream the 1997 Cinderella on Disney+, but its soundtrack was never released due to drama between Whitney and Brandy’s record labels at the time. It’s the world’s loss.
Moving along…
Book News!
LALAINE IS READING THE AUDIOBOOK!
When my publisher asked me to come up with ideas for who would be my dream narrator for the Disney High audiobook, I put Lalaine at the very top of that list. I’m still pinching myself that she said yes. Her role as Miranda Sanchez on Lizzie McGuire is one of Disney Channel’s most iconic of all time, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear her bring Disney High to life.
You can pre-order it now ahead of the September 24 release, and read more in this People exclusive (what??).
Book Events!
I am so thrilled to have not one but two (and maybe more to come!) in-person book events around Disney High’s release in September.
NYC book launch at Powerhouse Arena - Monday, September 23, at 7pm (Get tickets!)
Orlando book launch at Winter Park Library - Thursday, September 26, at 6pm (Get tickets!)
Both of these events have the option to RSVP a general ticket or buy a ticket that includes a signed copy of the book. Either would be great, and I’d love to see you there!
Some Recent Work!
Patricia Richardson is proud of ‘Home Improvement’ but says, ‘Hollywood hates our show’ (Los Angeles Times)
‘The Lion King’ at 30: Jason Weaver Sang for Simba but Few Knew It (The New York Times)
Erin Moriarty Is a Woman Among ‘The Boys’ (The New York Times)
Random Things I’m Loving!
My Lady Jane (Prime) - This show is A Knight’s Tale meets Bridgerton meets Animorphs, and it’s PERFECT. I won’t say more, but watch it now so we can get a second season.
Fly Me to the Moon (theaters) - A big-screen romantic comedy/drama starring Channing Tatum and Scarlett Johansson that deserves way more attention than it’s getting. It’s the ideal popcorn + A/C movie, and ScarJo’s best role in years.
I Am: Celine Dion (Prime) + Love Again (Netflix) - After sobbing through the wonderful Celine Dion documentary I Am: Celine Dion, I finally watched the too-generically titled rom-com Love Again, starring Sam Heughan and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. It features a Celine Dion subplot and is a love letter to her talent.
Perfect Wife: The Disappearance of Sherri Papini (Hulu) - I knew nothing about the Sherri Papini case before watching this true-crime docuseries, and it was an expertly told wild ride.
Moody song: “California” by Chappell Roan
Dance-y song: “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozey + “Please Please Please” by Sabrina Carpenter
Showtune: “Justice for Tulsa” from The Outsiders
Disney Channel throwback song: “Fuego” by The Cheetah Girls
That’s all for now. More soon!