Updated On: 09 September, 2021 12:00 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Billy Porter says the offer initially brought to mind an iconic portrayal of the character from nearly a quarter-century ago

Cinderella still/picture courtesy: PR
‘Cinderella’ is a musically driven bold new take on the traditional story. Camilla Cabello, who portrays Cinderella, is an ambitious young woman whose dreams are bigger than the world will allow, but with the help of her Fab G, essayed by Billy Porter, she can persevere and make her dreams come true. Adored for his red-carpet entrances and phenomenal performances, Billy Porter brings another new dimension to the film as Ella’s outrageously glamorous protector, the Fabulous Godmother. Director Kay Cannon share, “For me, Billy was the only person who could play this part. Casting him as the Fabulous Godmother was the easiest decision I had to make. He is magic. The role was his for the taking.”
Billy Porter says the offer initially brought to mind an iconic portrayal of the character from nearly a quarter-century ago. “When I got the call, all I could think was I’m going to be playing the Whitney Houston part!” he says, referring to the 1997 TV movie version. “Whitney was my queen, and this idea that magic has no gender and that the world is ready for a different kind of Fab G is just beyond. As an African American queer man in show business, it took me a long time to get to my place in the world. I believe this character is a manifestation of that — and that is awesome.”