Disney's newest princess, Halle Bailey, is set to star in the 2023 remake of The Little Mermaid. As the cover star of The Face magazine's spring issue, Halle reflects on her role in the live-action film and reveals how she connects deeply with her character. The 22-year-old also dishes down on Rob Marshall's take on the Disney classic, noting how Ariel now has more "freedom," versus her typical suppressed characterization. “What’s beautiful about this version of The Little Mermaid is that it’s a lot more modern,” she tells the magazine.
When Bailey was first announced to be Ariel, she was met with racist backlash. Critics claimed that a Black woman cast in this role didn't fit the normal description for the mermaid, which spiraled into a #NotMyAriel hashtag, the magazine notes. With support from her closest friends and family, however, Bailey didn't get discouraged. “I know people are like: ‘It’s not about race.’ But now that I’m her… people don’t understand that when you’re Black there’s this whole other community. It’s so important for us to see ourselves," she tells The Face.
Halle Bailey Channels Her Inner Ariel In A Beachside Photoshoot
When rehearsals first started for The Little Mermaid, Bailey was only 19 and had trouble adjusting to being away from her family. But, she notes how this experience has shifted her in a positive way, revealing how she learned to be "independent." Bailey added, "on the set of Mermaid, I learned how to say, ‘This is what I need’, without feeling bad about it.” The singer-turned-actor also reflected on how she realized parallels between her and the role she was taking on. “I felt like God was lining up themes in my life with the character," Bailey explained. "Ariel has this longing for something more. She doesn’t quite know what it is yet, but she has to be brave in order to find it on her own."
Although young, Bailey has already paved an acclaimed career for herself. She initially gained recognition for her work in Chlöe x Halle, an R&B duo featuring her older sister. With Beyoncé's mentorship, the sisters have earned five Grammy nominations. Between her ongoing music career and the May 26th release of The Little Mermaid, this talented performer is proving to build up a legacy. For more news on all things hip-hop and pop culture, check out HNHH.