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The Glass Slipper Legacy: Where Is The Iconic Cinderella 1997 Cast Now In 2025?

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Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, the 1997 television musical event, was a cultural phenomenon that redefined the classic fairy tale with its groundbreaking color-blind casting, helmed by executive producer and star Whitney Houston. As of late 2024 and early 2025, the film’s legacy continues to resonate, fueled by its availability on Disney+ and a highly anticipated reunion that has captivated a new generation of fans. This iconic ensemble cast, blending R&B legends, Hollywood royalty, and Broadway veterans, has continued to shape the world of entertainment, though not all of their stories have had a fairy-tale ending.

The magic of the Cinderella 1997 cast lies not just in their performance, but in the revolutionary diversity they brought to the screen, setting a new standard for representation in media. From Brandy’s return to the role to the heartbreaking absence of two key stars, here is a deep dive into the lives and current projects of the beloved actors who brought this timeless story to life.

The Royal Court: Complete Cinderella 1997 Cast Biography & Filmography Highlights

The ensemble of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella was a powerhouse of talent. Here is a look at the core members of the cast, their roles, and their most notable career highlights outside of the 1997 musical.

  • Brandy Norwood (Cinderella):
    • Born: February 11, 1979 (McComb, Mississippi)
    • Career Highlights: Multi-platinum recording artist; star of the hit sitcom Moesha (1996–2001); Grammy Award winner; Broadway debut in Chicago (2015).
  • Whitney Houston (Fairy Godmother):
    • Born: August 9, 1963 (Newark, New Jersey)
    • Died: February 11, 2012 (Beverly Hills, California)
    • Career Highlights: One of the best-selling music artists of all time; Grammy Award winner; starring roles in The Bodyguard (1992) and Waiting to Exhale (1995); executive producer of Cinderella.
  • Paolo Montalbán (Prince Christopher):
    • Born: May 8, 1973 (Manila, Philippines)
    • Career Highlights: Broadway roles in The King and I (1996) and Pacific Overtures; TV roles in Mortal Kombat: Conquest.
  • Whoopi Goldberg (Queen Constantina):
    • Born: November 13, 1955 (New York City, New York)
    • Career Highlights: EGOT winner (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony); host of The View; iconic roles in The Color Purple (1985) and Sister Act (1992).
  • Victor Garber (King Maximillian):
    • Born: March 16, 1949 (London, Ontario, Canada)
    • Career Highlights: Four-time Tony Award nominee; roles in Titanic (1997), Alias, and DC's Legends of Tomorrow.
  • Bernadette Peters (Stepmother):
    • Born: February 28, 1948 (Ozone Park, New York)
    • Career Highlights: Three-time Tony Award winner; legendary Broadway star known for her work in Stephen Sondheim musicals like Sunday in the Park with George.
  • Jason Alexander (Lionel):
    • Born: September 23, 1959 (Newark, New Jersey)
    • Career Highlights: Tony Award winner; globally famous for his role as George Costanza on Seinfeld (1989–1998).
  • Natalie Desselle-Reid (Stepsister Minerva):
    • Born: July 12, 1967 (Alexandria, Louisiana)
    • Died: December 7, 2020 (Los Angeles, California)
    • Career Highlights: Roles in B*A*P*S (1997), Eve (2003-2006), and Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family (2011).
  • Veanne Cox (Stepsister Calliope):
    • Born: January 19, 1963 (Norfolk, Virginia)
    • Career Highlights: Tony Award nominee; known for theater work and films like You've Got Mail (1998) and Erin Brockovich (2000).

The Glass Slipper Fits: Brandy and Prince Christopher's Royal Reunion

The most exciting and current news for fans of the Cinderella 1997 cast is the long-awaited on-screen reunion between Brandy Norwood and Paolo Montalbán. This magical pairing, which broke barriers as the first Black Cinderella and Filipino-American Prince Christopher, is set to return to the Disney universe.

The two stars have reunited for the Disney+ original movie, Descendants: The Rise of Red. Brandy reprises her role as Cinderella, now the Queen of Auradon, while Paolo Montalbán returns as her beloved Prince Christopher, now the King. This reunion, announced in early 2024 and premiering in mid-2024, is a powerful continuation of the story, nearly three decades after the original film aired.

Brandy has been vocal about the importance of this moment, viewing it as a way to honor the legacy of Whitney Houston, who championed the original film's diverse casting. The return of the royal couple in Descendants serves as a beautiful tribute to the original movie's message of possibility and inclusion. Furthermore, Brandy has been active in her music career, with recent singles and performances keeping her R&B star status alive. The reunion also followed a 25th-anniversary special, "Cinderella: The Reunion, A Special Edition of 20/20," which aired on ABC, bringing together many of the surviving cast members to reflect on the film's impact.

Where Are They Now? The Current Projects of The Royal Family and Stepmother

Beyond the central couple, the rest of the Cinderella 1997 cast remains highly active in film, television, and on the Broadway stage, with several major projects underway in 2024 and 2025.

Whoopi Goldberg (Queen Constantina) and Victor Garber (King Maximillian)

Whoopi Goldberg continues to be a fixture on daytime television as a host on the long-running talk show The View. In 2024, she announced the release of her memoir, Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother and Me, further cementing her status as a multifaceted media figure. She is also involved in a major film studio project in Newark, New Jersey, demonstrating her commitment to the film industry behind the scenes. Her work as Queen Constantina is often cited as a highlight of her musical theater capabilities.

Victor Garber, who played the benevolent King Maximillian, has maintained a prolific career in both film and television. In 2024, he was featured in the thriller film Relay, alongside Lily James and Riz Ahmed. His consistently strong performances across genres, from his long-running role in the Arrowverse to his dramatic film appearances, earned him an inaugural award at the Forest City Film Festival in 2024, highlighting his enduring legacy in the Canadian and international film world.

Bernadette Peters (Stepmother) and Jason Alexander (Lionel)

The wicked Stepmother, played by the legendary Broadway star Bernadette Peters, remains a titan of the stage. In 2024 and 2025, she has continued her acclaimed run in the West End production of Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends, a tribute to the composer whose work she is most closely associated with. Her role in Cinderella showcased her comedic and dramatic range to a wider audience, but her heart remains on the Broadway stage.

Jason Alexander, who played the royal steward Lionel, is best known for Seinfeld, but has continued to work extensively in theater and voice acting. While specific 2024/2025 projects are varied, his involvement in the Cinderella reunion special underscored his appreciation for the film's unique place in his career, contrasting sharply with his George Costanza persona.

The Stepsisters: Veanne Cox (Calliope) and The Tragic Loss of Natalie Desselle-Reid (Minerva)

The stepsisters, Calliope and Minerva, provided much of the film's comedic relief. Veanne Cox (Calliope) is a celebrated theater actress and continues to thrive on the stage. In a testament to her current activity, she was cast in a production of Young Frankenstein as Frau Blücher in June 2024 and is scheduled for the Off-Broadway production of My First Ex-Husband, which opens in January 2025.

The story of the Cinderella 1997 cast is, however, marked by profound sadness. Natalie Desselle-Reid, who played the stepsister Minerva, tragically passed away on December 7, 2020, at the age of 53, following a battle with colon cancer. Her death was a shock to fans and her co-stars, who remembered her for her vibrant energy and comedic brilliance in Cinderella and other films like B*A*P*S. Her memory was honored during the 25th-anniversary reunion, where her groundbreaking role as one of the first Black stepsisters in a major adaptation was celebrated.

The Immortal Legacy of Whitney Houston's Fairy Godmother

The most enduring and bittersweet part of the Cinderella 1997 cast narrative is the legacy of Whitney Houston. Houston not only delivered a powerful, ethereal performance as the Fairy Godmother, but her role as an executive producer was instrumental in making the film happen. She insisted on the racially diverse casting, creating a "color-blind" world where a Black woman could be Cinderella, a Filipino-American man could be the Prince, and a diverse cast could fill the royal court and the Stepmother's household.

Houston's vision created a cultural reset, proving that fairy tales could reflect the real world. Though she passed away in 2012, her influence is palpable in the 2024/2025 reunion of Brandy and Paolo Montalbán in Descendants: The Rise of Red, which is seen as a direct continuation of the world she helped create. Her song "Impossible/It's Possible" remains an anthem for dreamers, and her casting choices continue to inspire conversations about diversity and representation in Hollywood today. The Cinderella 1997 cast remains a shining example of her profound and lasting impact on the industry.

cinderella 1997 cast
cinderella 1997 cast

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