Disney’s popular franchise is returning to the network with its fourth incarnation, Descendants: The Rise of Red. Brandy, who starred in the live-action remake of Cinderalla in 1997, is joining the series and reprising her role as the rags-to-riches princess.
“Stepping into a new set of Cinderella’s glass slippers after all these years feels like a true homecoming, she shares. “I’m so thrilled to be a part of the city’s next chapter.”
Brandy is also making room for a new roster of actresses to define Disney royalty, even if they are on the villainy side of the pond. Dara Reneé of High School Musical: The Series has joined the Descendants family as Ulyana, the baby sister of Ursula.
“I’m most excited about seeing the next generation step into these iconic roles,” Brandy says. “It’s been an honor to be a part of the Descendants legacy, and I can’t wait for fans to see how the new story unfolds!”
EBONY has the first pic of Reneé in her new incarnation. Here, the actress reveals more about her role. “Ulyana is a force to be reckoned with! She has eight mean tentacles which she uses to rule the school,” she declares. “She is the leader of the ancestral VK’s, which includes Captain Hook, Hades, Maleficent and Morgie. She often feels like she has to outdo Ursula’s evilness which causes her to torment any poor unfortunate soul who happens to cross her path!”
She has beautiful blue, green and yellow locks which she wears in a crown. Her outfits are always made by the top designers of the sea!
Dara Reneé
Renee stresses that Ulyana isn’t all evil. “She is often misunderstood; her insecurities of not being as powerful as her sister Ursula causes her to lash out on others. Deep down, her biggest fear is that others will see the hidden vulnerability caused by her sister. I bring empathy to this character by knowing that hurt people hurt people.”
The actress loves how her character gets to wear her hair as it’s part of her personal mission to promote natural styles.
“As a little girl, I always wanted my hair to be natural! I was often told that it was a distraction and not accepted,” she says. “I understood back then that if I ever had a platform I wanted to encourage people like me to wear their hair however they wanted to! I wanted to embrace the uniqueness of Black hair. I believe my hair is my antennas to the universe! So I am thrilled to not only be a representation but to also be able to express my creativity and my personality through my hair!”
Descendants: The Rise of Red premieres premieres July 12 on Disney+.