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"Mega-talented" is just one way to describe singer-actress Morgan Dudley. But "IRL princess" would also be v. accurate.

The 23-year-old has seen a fast rise to fame after starring in the premiere of Disney's Descendants: The Rise of Red. Morgan plays the hardworking and courageous Ella, the young version of Cinderella (who's played by none other than the legendary Brandy, natch). When not acting—or dancing—her heart out, Morgan loves to spend time making music—she's prepping to drop her debut single at the end of this month. 

We sat down with Morgan to get the inside scoop on all things Descendants and get the deets on her upcoming original music. 

Girls' Life: When did you first get into performing?

Morgan Dudley: Since I learned how to talk, I was already singing. It really hit me career-choice-wise when I did theater in high school. I was in band in elementary and middle school, but I knew as soon as I did theater—I was like, "Yeah, I want to be on stage. I want to be in the industry and sing and act."

GL: Can you describe how you felt when you got the call that you'd been officially cast as Ella?

Morgan: I was in complete shock. I remember that they brought Ella to me and they were like, "We want you to play this role, and we think you'd be a really good fit for it." I just felt disbelief. Honestly, it wasn't until rehearsal started that it fully sunk in that I was going to be a part of the iconic franchise.

GL: In what ways do you feel like you're similar to or different from Ella?

Morgan: I find a lot of similarities in myself and Ella. She's really loyal to Bridget. She's going to do anything to defend her, and I think that's something I really look up to. She has so much integrity, and she acts based on the moral standard that she set for herself—no matter what.

But she's a teenager and still figuring things out. She's had this bad experience with royalty, so now doesn't trust anybody who could potentially fall under that category. I always try to give people a fresh slate even if I'm scared. I'm like, "I'm going to let this person show me who they are and not make assumptions."

GL: During the film, your character appears as the younger version of Brandy's Cinderella. How did you preserve that throughline between the older and younger versions of the same person?

Morgan: I think it's partially in the script—just in the sense that she's always giving Red and Chloe advice. I also tried my very best to emulate Brandy's voice sometimes. Like when Ella's talking about Bridget specifically, she could kind of lighten up her voice. Brandy does a really good job of portraying this ethereal, angelic mother figure.  I wanted my voice to match hers in moments so that you could see peeks of Cinderella.

GL: Are there any core memories made in the process of filming that you'll keep with you forever?

Morgan: After the Uliana chase scene, there's this moment where we're all standing there and then Charming comes in. We did all these takes where he came in and kissed her hand, and I remember it because acting it out was so awkward. Me and the girls would just be like, "Oh my God, this is so funny."

GL: What's your dream role?

Morgan: I want to be in a movie set during an apocalypse or some kind of dystopian sci-fi. I feel like I'm showing my age because I grew up in the era of The Hunger Games and Divergent. I really love intense and dramatic scenes, which is why I was really happy to play Ella. I feel like she's one of the most intense characters in Descendants.

GL: Can you tease anything about your upcoming music? Are there any style or genre influences that you'll be leaning into?

Morgan: I love Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift and Chappell Roan. I think my music lives within that realm of pop and singer-songwriter. The title of the single I'm releasing is called "Better Left Unsent." Stay tuned for that—it will be released soon!

✨A few fast facts with Morgan Dudley✨

If you could play the child of any Disney hero, princess or villain, who would you pick?
I would want to be the child of Hercules and Megara. Or Tiana and Naveen!

What's your fave go-to fall fashion trend?
I'm always down for a layer—I've been really into business button-downs and putting stuff on top, like a sweater or a corset. I also think cool pants are always a move.

What's one item that's on your fall 2024 bucket list?
I want to have a dinner party, but we're all baking. I want to make gingerbread cookies and chocolate chip cookies and maybe have some apple cider, too.

Follow Morgan on IG @morgandudley and stream "Better Left Unsent" on September 30!

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All photos by Tommy Flanagan.

by Maggie Salter | 9/19/2024