Disney has revealed R&B singer H.E.R will play the role of Belle in ABC's upcoming Beauty And The Beast: A 30th Celebration.
The 25-year-old Grammy winner, real name Gabriella Wilson, said she is delighted to breathe new life into the iconic role.
Sharing her excitement about getting the gig, which will be filmed in front of a live audience, the star gushed: "I can't believe I get to be a part of the Beauty and the Beast legacy.
"The world will see a Black and Filipino Belle!
"I have always wanted to be a Disney princess. And I get to work with two wonderful directors Hamish Hamilton and my favourite, Jon M. Chu. It is very surreal and I couldn't be more grateful."
The Slide singer is hot property as she'll also be seen on the big screen in Blitz Bazawule's musical adaptation of Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning 1982 novel The Colour Purple.
Praising the star ahead of the Beauty and the Beast gig, Crazy Rich Asians director, Chu said: "With her obvious extraordinary talent and stage presence, H.E.R. is the perfect embodiment of our Belle and we are thrilled for audiences to see her in this celebration of creativity.
"We were both influenced as storytellers by the original animated movie, so it's very exciting to collaborate together to honour the artistry of that timeless classic while also inspiring a whole new generation of creators."
The eagerly-awaited show will feature "never-before-seen live musical performances paying homage to the timeless tale as well as new sets and costumes inspired by the classic story", according to Deadline.
It's been 30 years since Beauty and the Beast's animated film was released in 1991.
Starring Paige O'Hara and Robby Benson as the voices of Belle and the Beast, the movie was a jewel in Disney's crown and an instant classic.
It was the first animated film to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar at the 64th Academy Awards in 1992 and received a total of five nominations.
The film was also brought to life in 2017 in which Harry Potter star Emma Watson played the role of Belle alongside Dan Evans' Beast.
The film was a musical extravaganza and with a reported budget of $255 million, - was one of the most expensive films ever made.
ABC's version of the classic tale is said to be a live action/animated hybrid.
The show will be available to stream on Disney+ on December 16.
