‘Steps’ Star Amanda Seyfried Stuns at Netflix’s Star-Studded NYC Premiere
Amanda Seyfried has spent much of her career navigating wildly diverse genres, leaping effortlessly from heartfelt musical blockbusters to critically acclaimed prestige dramas. Her latest high-profile reinvention sees the Oscar-nominated actress stepping into the vibrant realm of feature animation for Netflix’s upcoming musical fantasy comedy ‘Steps‘. By lending her voice to one of the most recognizable figures in folklore history, Seyfried is helping the streamer breathe entirely new life into a timeless tale.
Rather than delivering a conventional fairytale retread, the ambitious animated project approaches the legendary story of Cinderella through an unorthodox, comedic lens. Directed by Alyce Tzue and John Ripa, the film shifts the narrative spotlight away from the pristine royal court to center squarely on the traditionally maligned stepsisters. The subversive screenplay turns classic tropes on their head, chronicling the chaos that erupts when stolen magic spirals out of control and forces unexpected allies to unite.
With anticipation building rapidly ahead of its streaming debut, the high-profile production celebrated its world premiere on Sunday night in New York City. Seyfried captivated onlookers and photographers as she walked the carpet in a stunning ivory look, signaling an energetic launch for the family feature. Her radiant appearance instantly set social media abuzz, drawing widespread praise from fashion commentators and fans eager to see her take on the classic princess.
Gathered inside the Edwardian Room at the historic Plaza Hotel in Manhattan, Seyfried wore a tailored white mini dress featuring delicate bow accents from designer label Shushu/Tong. Put together by her longtime celebrity stylist Elizabeth Stewart, the ensemble paired minimalist elegance with playful, vintage-inspired charm that mirrored the whimsical spirit of the project. Seyfried remained in high spirits throughout the festive evening, joking with cameras on the press line and warmly taking time to speak with young reporters on the carpet.
The glittering premiere also brought together an impressive ensemble of A-list voice talent who helped bring the vibrant animated kingdom to life. Hollywood icon Bette Midler made a rare red carpet appearance alongside Seyfried, joining fellow co-stars Ali Wong, Stephanie Hsu, Daniel Radcliffe, and Young Mazino. Together with WWE superstar Damian Priest, the stacked cast celebrated the movie’s unique synthesis of sharp modern humor and earnest emotional heart.
Crafting a grounded, modern interpretation of such an iconic heroine was an essential priority for the creative team behind the production. Speaking about casting Seyfried in the central role, co-director Alyce Tzue told Netflix’s Tudum, “Amanda has this incredible ability to make her characters specific and relatable, and we absolutely needed that when taking on a character that’s as legendary as Cinderella”. Tzue added that the actress immediately grasped the vision to create a heroine with flaws, resulting in a portrayal that is “hilarious and heartbreaking and, most importantly, refreshingly human”.
Co-director John Ripa echoed that admiration, explaining that Seyfried brought an extraordinary level of vocal nuance to the recording booth that gave the character unprecedented emotional depth. Produced by Amy Poehler through Paper Kite Productions alongside Jane Hartwell and Kim Lessing, the movie also features original songs crafted by Justin Tranter and an orchestral score by Oscar winner Kris Bowers. With its stellar voice ensemble and clever story spin, ‘Steps’ is poised to enchant global family audiences when it officially premieres on Netflix on November 20, 2026.
