CinderellaStar Brandy Says Rachel Zegler Will Be 'Incredible' as Snow White: 'For Every Little Colombian Girl'

Mar. 15, 2025

Brandy in 1997’s Cinderella and Rachel Zegler in 2025’s Snow White.Photo:Walt Disney Television/Courtesy Everett Collection; Disney

Walt Disney Television/Courtesy Everett Collection; Disney

Brandyis showing support for a fellow Disney princess.

While speaking withVarietyfor an interview published Wednesday, Oct. 2,Rachel Zegler, 23, who plays Snow White in Disney’s upcoming live-action reimagining, cited Brandy’s performance as the title character in 1997’sCinderellaas a clear-cut example of diversity in casting for retellings of Disney’s classic princess stories.

When the outlet reached out to Brandy, 45, for comment on Zegler’s upcoming performance, the singer-songwriter said via email that she believes Zegler “will be absolutely incredible in this role.”

“You’re not taking on this role to fit the mold of the critics,” Brandy toldVarietyof Zegler. “You’re doing this for every little Colombian girl who has yet to see themselves in a role like a Disney princess. You’re doing this for the little girl that you once were, who grew up without that representation of her Colombian culture. You are showing her that anything is possible for someone who looks like her, and that is the most important job in the world.”

Rachel Zegler in 2025’s Snow White.Disney

Disney

As Zegler told the outlet, she grew up idolizing Brandy’s version ofCinderella— but that did not prevent her from accepting other versions of the character.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“I grew up in a house where that was Cinderella. Obviously, we watched the cartoon. But a child’s mind is the most amazing thing, where it’s just like, ‘OK, that’s Cinderella,’ " she toldVariety. “But the blond-haired, blue-eyed, blue-dress Cinderella from the 1950s cartoon is also Cinderella. Also,Hilary Duffis Cinderella inA Cinderella Story.I was able to comprehend those things at a young age.”

Rachel Zegler.Disney; Mike Coppola/MG24/Getty

Disney; Mike Coppola/MG24/Getty

Though Zegler’s version ofSnow Whiteis still months away from its theatrical release, the actress shared withVarietythat the character’s name in the new movie comes from a different version of the fairy tale than the 1937 animated film, which describes Snow White as having “skin as white as snow.”

Disney’sSnow White, which costarsGal Gadotas theEvil Queen, releases in theaters March 21, 2025.

source: people.com