Brandy and Paolo Montalban Reflect on Cinderella Reunion for Descendants

Brandy and Paolo Montalban have reunited for their roles as Cinderella and King Charming in the upcoming Disney film, Descendants: The Rise of Red. Over two decades after starring in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, the pair are bringing back their beloved characters, now with a daughter named Chloe, played by Malia Baker.

In an exclusive interview, Brandy and Montalban shared their excitement about reuniting. “They’re such iconic roles, and you don't get a chance to do that very often in life, so I wanted to do it again,” Brandy said. “And when I heard Paolo was doing it, I said, ‘Yes,’ right away.” Montalban added that singing and waltzing with Brandy again was “so incredibly special.”

Both actors described their first day back on set together as “surreal.” Brandy recalled, “I couldn't stop smiling. The whole moment was just spectacular.” Montalban noted how easily they fell back into character, praising Brandy’s regal quality as Queen Cinderella. “As an actor, I don't have to act. It helps because my character has so much gratitude and respect for and love, above all, for Cinderella, so it's so easy.”

Fans of the original 1997 film often express their enduring love for the movie to Montalban, something he finds incredibly gratifying. “It was such a big part of their lives [and] now they're a part of my life. It’s a blessing,” he said. Brandy echoed his sentiments, adding, “It's a blessing to make history and to touch people and to inspire people. That means a lot. You can't buy that. You have to live that and become that. I'm just so grateful.”

Montalban hopes the new Descendants film will resonate with audiences, continuing the spirit of representation established in the original. “I am so proud that we get to bring forward the spirit of representation for a whole new generation in so many different ways,” he said. “We hope that everybody loves it.”

Looking ahead, both Brandy and Montalban are open to reprising their roles in potential sequels. “You know we will be open for another Descendants,” Brandy said. “I’m open to everything. I just want to see how far they can take the characters because the sky's the limit.”

Descendants: The Rise of Red will premiere on Disney+ on July 12.