Honestly, if you grew up in the late 90s, Sunday nights were basically a ritual. You’d sit in front of the bulky tube TV, wait for that magical Disney castle intro, and hope for something good. But nothing—absolutely nothing—hit quite like November 2, 1997. That was the night 60 million people tuned into ABC to watch Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, and the world of fairy tales changed forever.
It wasn't just a movie. It was a cultural reset.
We're talking about the brandy whitney houston cinderella movie, a production that defied every "logic" rule of Hollywood at the time. You had an R&B princess with box braids, a Fairy Godmother who was literally the greatest voice in human history, and a royal family that looked like a United Nations meeting. It shouldn't have worked according to the old-school studio executives, but it became a masterpiece.
The Hand-Picked Princess: How Whitney Chose Brandy
Most people don't realize this movie was actually Whitney Houston’s project from the jump. She had been developing it for years, originally intending to play the titular role herself. But time is a funny thing. By the time the project finally got the green light from Disney, Whitney felt she had "outgrown" the part of the naive girl in the cinders.
She didn't just walk away, though. She had a vision.
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Whitney personally called Brandy, who was then the 18-year-old star of Moesha, and offered her the role. Can you imagine that phone call? Brandy has often talked about how Whitney was her literal idol. To have your hero call and say, "I want you to be my Cinderella," is the stuff of actual legends. Whitney stepped into the role of the Fairy Godmother, effectively passing the glass slipper to the next generation. It was a baton-passing moment that felt incredibly earned.
That Iconic "Colorblind" Casting
Let’s be real for a second. The casting in this movie was wild in the best way possible. We call it "colorblind" now, but it was really just visionary.
- The King and Queen: You had Whoopi Goldberg (Black) and Victor Garber (White) playing the monarchs.
- The Prince: Their son was Paolo Montalban, a Filipino-American actor.
- The Step-Family: Bernadette Peters (White) was the stepmother, with one Black daughter (the late Natalie Desselle Reid) and one White daughter (Veanne Cox).
Did it make biological sense? Not even a little bit. Did anyone care? Absolutely not.
As a kid watching this, you didn't look for a DNA test. You just saw a world where anyone could be anything. It was a "racial utopia," as some critics have called it. The movie didn't lecture you on diversity; it just presented it as a fact of life. This was years before Bridgerton or the live-action Little Mermaid made headlines for similar choices. Whitney and her production partner, Debra Martin Chase, were doing the work decades before it was trendy.
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The Music: "Impossible" is a Bold Understatement
We have to talk about the pipes. Rodgers & Hammerstein’s score is classic, but this version added some flavor. Because you had Whitney Houston and Brandy, you couldn't just do straight musical theater. You needed that soul.
The recording of "Impossible" is legendary. If you watch the behind-the-scenes footage, you can see Whitney pushing Brandy to use her "full voice," not just her pop-R&B breathiness. They recorded those vocals together in the booth, which is rare these days. That chemistry—that mentor-protégé energy—leaps off the screen.
Then there's the Prince and Cinderella’s first meeting. They added "The Sweetest Sounds" (originally from No Strings) to give Brandy and Paolo a moment to shine before the ball. It made the romance feel more grounded, like they actually liked each other's personalities before the fancy dress came into play.
Why It Still Matters in 2026
Even now, nearly 30 years later, this movie holds up. It’s not just nostalgia.
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When it finally hit Disney+ a few years ago, it trended immediately. Why? Because it’s joyful. It’s unapologetically theatrical. The sets look like actual stage sets, the costumes are vibrant neon dreams, and the message isn't cynical. In an era where every remake has to be "dark" or "gritty," the brandy whitney houston cinderella movie reminds us that "Impossible things are happening every day."
It also gave Black girls a princess who looked like them long before Tiana arrived in 2009. Brandy kept her braids. She didn't have to change her hair or her vibe to fit the "royal" mold. She just was.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and New Watchers:
- Watch the "Impossible" Recording Session: Find the behind-the-scenes footage of Whitney and Brandy in the studio. It’s a masterclass in vocal production and genuine mentorship.
- Listen to the Deep Cuts: Pay attention to Bernadette Peters singing "Falling in Love with Love." It’s a Broadway legend at the peak of her powers.
- Appreciate the Craft: Look at the costumes by Ellen Mirojnick. They are intentionally stylized to look like a storybook brought to life, not a historical reenactment.
- Introduce it to the Next Generation: If you have kids or younger siblings, show them this version. It’s a great way to talk about representation without it feeling like a "lesson."
The legacy of this film is simple: Whitney Houston wanted everyone to feel included in the magic. She succeeded. Whether you’re here for the fashion, the 90s nostalgia, or the vocal gymnastics, this version of Cinderella remains the gold standard for how to do a remake right. It’s soulful, it’s inclusive, and honestly, it’s just plain fun.
Go back and re-watch it on Disney+. You’ll be surprised at how much of the dialogue you still remember. "It's possible!"