You can check out countless revisions of the classic fairytale Cinderella on Disney+ at the moment, from the romantic animation of the 1950 version, to 2015’s Kenneth Branagh-directed live-action confection. And don’t sleep on Brandy as Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, which marries fairytale optimism and Black excellence.
The latest update to the ultimate underdog story, however, comes to us from the rival kingdom of Amazon Prime Video, and it has true pop royalty as its star. Fifth Harmony member and solo chart-topper Camila Cabello is your new Cinderella, currently streaming on Prime Video for subscribers.
There’s all the standard rags-to-riches story elements one would need in any version of Cinderella: a downtrodden heroine enslaved by a wicked stepfamily (Idina Menzel as evil stepmother Vivian), only to find love with a dashing prince (Nicholas Galitzine).
But the most exciting bit, as with Cinderella‘s magically revamped ballgown, are in the alterations. Queer icon Billy Porter is the ethereal and genderless ‘Fabulous G’ in place of your tired old fairy godmother, and Missy Elliott herself is set to appear in the small role of ‘Town Crier’.
Peep some of the anachronistic, pop-inflected soundtrack in the trailer above, featuring Cabello’s own vocals and some delightful dance moves from Minnie Driver and Pierce Brosnan as the kingdom’s royal family. We also have the dubious honour of watching producer James Corden as one of the three mice-turned-footmen, alongside comedians James Acaster and Romesh Ranganathan.
How will the latest adaptation of a 17th century fairytale stay up to date? You can find out on Prime Video right now, where the industrious Ella will choose between the usual retrograde future with a rich white guy, or her own business ambitions as a seamstress. Why not both, gal?
