We all love a good live action film version of our favorite fairytales. And Cinderella probably has the most number of movie versions ever. Remember the 1997 Cinderella movie with American R&B singer Brandy as the lead and Whitney Houston as her fairy godmother? How about the ones inspired by the classic tale, like Disney’s 2004 A Cinderella Story featuring Hilary Duff, and 2008 Another Cinderella Story with Selena Gomez? Or the most recent one, Cinderella 2015 with Lily James? I don’t know about you but my personal favorite will always be Ever After: A Cinderella Story in 1998, with Drew Barrymore as the lead. I love, loooove that one.
With the recent trailer release of the much-awaited 2021 Cinderella movie, seems like I’m gonna have a new favorite. Singer Camila Cabello is the titular character in her acting debut, and it seems like she’s going to give us a totally new, unique kind of Cinderella. A girlboss kind to be exact.
Here are 5 ways I think the 2021 Cinderella movie is going to break the status quo, at least based on the trailer:
1.In this movie, Cinderella is an aspiring fashion entrepreneur.
“Dresses by Ella,” Camilla Cabello’s Cinderella whispers in the trailer, expressing her aspirations as she’s seen sewing clothes and arranging some dressed up mannequins and some colorful gowns. Here, we get to see a glimpse of a totally different Cinderella as a woman with a very specific goal: to become a fashion designer and entrepreneur. An old man even quipped a wisecrack about “this girl who fancies herself as a businessman”– as if making fun of the girl’s dream.
I think it is totally refreshing to see this type of Cinderella–one who seems laser-focused on her own vision and ambition for herself.
2. Cinderella’s makeover involves a pantsuit.
That’s right. Cinderella’s major makeover in the film seems to initially involve a menswear-inspired piece: a powder blue pantsuit— as opposed to the traditional elaborate light blue ballgown.
“Well dang, you said you wanted to be a businesswoman!” the fabulous fairy told Cinderella in jest. Seems like even the fairy is progressive in this film, believing that princesses-to-be can also wear pants!
3.Speaking of fairies, #MagicHasNoGender in this fantasy flick.
Cinderella’s fairy godparent in this live action is Fab G, played by proud LGBT member and brilliant actor Billy Porter. 
We get a glimpse of Fab G looking gorgeous in a sparkling ochre-colored couture, with a stunning choker necklace and the infamous magic wand.
4.Cinderella gets to design her own dress for the ball.
“Where did you get that dress?”, a party guest asks Cinderella. To which she answers proudly, “I designed it.”
I don’t know what kind of deal she ended up having with Fab G, but it’s too cute that she gets to wear her own creation at the ball!
5. She may or may not run away with the prince.
“What about my work?” Cinderella asks the prince after seemingly being proposed to. “I don’t want a life stuck waving from a royal box any more than a life combined to a basement. I have dreams that I have to chase.”
This unique, new layer of Cinderella does not just daydream of escaping the long maltreatment of her stepmother, or getting chosen by prince charming among all the girls in town. She wants to enrich her passion, continue to work and build a career or maybe even an empire out of her talent. That’s just too cool for words. I think in these modern times, it is important to teach our little girls that they can choose their own version of a happy ending, and that it does not always necessarily mean that they have to find, be saved or be with prince charming. Each girl is a princess in her own right and has the power to define her own happiness on her own terms.
Written and directed by Pitch Perfect writer Kay Cannon, and headed by the same executive producers of hit films The Hunger Games, Mean Girls and The Big Short, it is not a shock that the 2021 Cinderella live action is a total treat for us movie buffs. Honestly, Camila Cabello is such a delightful surprise based on what I’ve seen so far. The girl can sing AND act. The musical fantasy film also stars Idina Menzel as the cruel stepmother, and Pierce Brosnan as the king. Total powerhouse cast.
Cinderella (2021) is streaming exclusively on Amazon on September 3.
You may watch the official trailer in full here:
