Brandy Norwood (more professionaly known by just her first name) (born February 11, 1979) is an African-American actress who played the lead and title role of Disney's 1997 telefilm adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella". Her idol was late fellow actress Whitney Houston. Originally, Brandy refused to play Cinderella except on the condition Houston played her Fairy Godmother.
Brandy Norwood's 33rd birthday was the same date Houston died.