Halle Bailey immerses herself in positive energy for her portrayal of Ariel in The Little Mermaid, leaving a unique mark on the role.
Being the second Black Disney princess in history, Halle Bailey, who takes on the iconic role of Ariel in the upcoming
Image credit: Instagram/ hallebailey
However, it was a video sent by her mother that deeply touched her—the one capturing her grandparents' emotional reaction while watching the film's trailer, with her grandfather moved to tears as he played it repeatedly.
"These special moments reassure me that I am exactly where I should be, as my ancestors endured immense struggles," shared Bailey with Reuters.
Amidst the celebration, Bailey faced the challenge of a racist backlash on social media following her casting as Ariel.
"I choose to focus on the positive and the beautiful reactions of these young ones, and I realize the profound meaning and purpose behind all of this is to show them that they matter and deserve to be seen," expressed the talented actor from Grown-ish.
Image credit: Instagram/ hallebailey
Based on the beloved 1989 animated film and the enchanting Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, the new rendition directed by Rob Marshall takes viewers on a captivating journey with the mermaid Ariel. Desperate to reunite with Prince Eric after saving him from a shipwreck, Ariel strikes a fateful deal with the wicked sea witch Ursula, trading her voice for the chance to become human.
The cast features Jonah Hauer-King as Eric, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, and Javier Bardem as King Triton. Joining the ensemble as voice actors are Daveed Diggs as the crab Sebastian, Awkwafina as the diving bird Scuttle, and Jacob Tremblay as the adorable fish Flounder.
Image credit: Instagram/ hallebailey
Bailey gratefully remembers the guidance of her incredible swimming coaches, with whom she had the privilege to work. Every Sunday, they would come to her home and teach her the art of swimming like a mermaid.
Image credit: Instagram/ hallebailey
Experienced actress Melissa McCarthy also embraced the opportunity to portray Ursula, a character she has felt connected to since her first viewing of the original animated film at the age of 20.
"I distinctly remember thinking that Ursula is my kind of character," McCarthy fondly recalled. Reflecting on her portrayal, she appreciated the chance to explore Ursula's fears and loneliness, giving depth to her multidimensional personality.
