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Brandy, Rita Ora reunite for new ‘Descendants’ movie, tease duet

Brandy Norwood and Rita Ora attend the premiere of Disney Channel Original Movie ‘Descendants: Wicked Wonderland’ on July 14, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. (Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

Brandy and Rita Ora are returning to the world of Descendants.

The actresses reprise their roles as Cinderella and the Queen of Hearts in Descendants: Wicked Wonderland, the next chapter following the success of Descendants: The Rise of Red.

Speaking with ABC News entertainment contributor Kelley Carter in an interview aired on Good Morning America Thursday, the stars shared how the new film reimagines familiar Disney characters while bringing their own friendship to the screen.

Ora said she was drawn to the complexity of playing her role.

“I did love the idea of the Queen of Hearts, you never really know if she’s pretending or if it’s real,” Ora said. “You’ve got obviously Cinderella, who is always that anchor within the movies.”

Meanwhile, Brandy added, “I did have my villain pants on … that’s new for Cinderella.”

The pair also teased a new duet, which they said is one of the moments they’re most excited for fans to see.

“It was magical. The song is called ‘The Girl I Used to Be.’ I think people are gonna love it,” Brandy said.

Ora agreed, saying, “It was my dream to be not only on a song with her, but also just in anything with her because I’ve been looking up to her since I can remember.”

Their collaboration was years in the making.

“What people don’t really know is that I met Rita when she got her start,” Brandy said. “I saw this beautiful light in her then and I see it now. And when we got a chance to do this movie together, I mean, our chemistry was just unmatched.” 

Descendants: Wicked Wonderland premieres Wednesday on Disney Channel and begins streaming Friday on Disney+.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News and Disney Channel.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Luigi Mangione admits to shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO as he pleads guilty in federal case

Luigi Mangione attends a pretrial appearance at Manhattan Criminal Court on Aug. 11, 2026, in New York City. (David Dee Delgado-Pool/Getty Images)(NEW YORK) -- Luigi Mangione admitted to shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson as he pleaded guilty Friday to two federal stalking counts.Mangione, wearing tan prison clothes, addressed the court himself, saying, "After years of enduring severe pain from a broken back ... I learned UnitedHealth would be holding an investor conference in New York City.""I then researched the event online. I observed the annual conference of America's largest healthcare organization with the stated mission to make the healthcare system better for everyone," he said."I traveled to New York and emailed UnitedHealthcare with the intent to kill Brian Thompson ... I shot Mr. Thompson in the back," he said, adding, "I knew what I was doing was illegal."Earlier in the hearing, defense attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo told the court, "Mr. Mangione is prepared to plead guilty to the indictment at this time," and Mangione himself then affirmed he was prepared to plead guilty.Members of Thompson's family, including his wife and mother, are sitting in the front row of the courtroom, marking the first time they’re appearing in court. Thompson’s wife appeared to be crying as the hearing began. Executives from UnitedHealthcare are also in attendance.When asked for his full name, Mangione replied, "Luigi Nicolas Mangione," and he affirmed his age, 28, and schooling at the University of Pennsylvania.He told the judge he took a sleep medication two days ago but said it did not cloud his judgment.The judge asked Mangione if he understood that he'd give up his right to a trial if he pleaded guilty, and Mangione responded yes.Federal prosecutor Dominic Gentile explained that Mangione stalked Thompson with the intent to kill him and his conduct resulted in Thompson’s death.U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett told Mangione a guilty plea would expose him to a possible life sentence. "Do you understand that?" the judge asked, and Mangione replied, "yes."The judge confirmed there is no plea deal.A guilty plea could complicate Mangione's murder prosecution in state court, where trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 8. His federal trial was set for Jan. 5.Defense attorneys have already tried to dismiss the murder charges on double jeopardy grounds. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office is prepared to move forward, arguing stalking and murder address different harms.About three dozen members of the public -- including at least one person who camped out in a tent overnight -- lined up outside the courthouse Friday morning to try to secure a seat in the courtroom.Mangione's supporters are often outspoken during his hearings, but there were little-to-no demonstrators on Friday morning. And with the federal court limiting what members of the public can wear, Mangione's supporters were not donning their normal shirts proclaiming his innocence.Mangione is accused of gunning down Thompson on Dec. 4, 2024, in Midtown Manhattan, and he was captured in Pennsylvania after a five-day manhunt. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced that Mangione was indicted on first-degree murder charges on Dec. 17, 2024, and federal prosecutors announced separate charges of stalking and murder on Dec. 19, 2024. Mangione pleaded not guilty in the separate state and federal cases.The charges in both cases have narrowed over the last year. In the federal case, Garnett in January threw out the murder and firearm charges, leaving two counts: stalking - travel in interstate commerce and stalking - use of interstate facilities.In the state case, Judge Gregory Carro last September dismissed the first-degree murder and terrorism charges. In the state case, Mangione is still charged with murder in the second-degree, criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second-degree, and multiple counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second-degree, third-degree and fourth-degree.Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
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