The Little Mermaid star, Halle Bailey, opened up about her role in the live-action adaptation of the Disney classic. Bailey, 21, is known for her role in the sitcom Grown-ish, where she stars alongside her older sister Chloe. She started her career by coverings songs on YouTube with her sister. The duo found fame online and even caught Beyonce's attention, who eventually signed them to her record label. Bailey will make her big-screen debut as Ariel in the upcoming Disney film.
Based on the beloved Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, The Little Mermaid is the latest Disney animated movie to be given a live-action redo. The 1989 classic was a huge success when it was first released and ushered in a new era of Disney princesses. The new version will attempt to give a modern take on the old tale of a mermaid princess who gives up her tail to chase after her prince. It will be directed by Rob Marshall with songs by Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Bailey stars alongside Jonah Haueer-King as Prince Eric, Javier Bardem as King Triton, and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula.
While details about The Little Mermaid are being kept under wraps, Bailey recently gave a teaser about her role as Ariel. In the cover feature for Flaunt Magazine, the actress-singer remarked that filming for the highly anticipated remake has been "a whirlwind of an experience." Bailey said that she can definitely find similarities with her character, the young mermaid who bravely left the ocean to discover new things and follow her dreams. Read the quote from her interview below:
I really connected with how Ariel feels. She just wants to discover something new. She wants to see a whole different world that has never been introduced to her before. There was a moment particularly when I was in London, and doing things on my own, and working every day, and working very hard, where I was like, ‘Okay, this must be what it feels like to have myself to rely on. I am kind of proud of myself. This has been a wild ride into adulthood.
The Little Mermaid has recently wrapped up filming in the picturesque coastal town of Sardinia, Italy. Leaked photos from the set gave fans a few hints on how the live-action remake intends to stay true to the original movie and how it will be excitingly different. Bailey has been spotted recreating a few of Ariel's iconic looks, from wearing Ariel's iconic burlap dress to posing like the mermaid by the shore.
After the successes of Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast, expectations are high for The Little Mermaid. Bailey's casting was initially met with surprised reactions and a tinge of criticism from Disney purists who weren't expecting an African-American actress to play the red-haired princess. Despite the early backlash, Bailey comes into the Disney franchise to offer diversity and give the classic fairytale a new spin. With her musical and acting talent, the Grown-ish star seems to be a perfect choice. Fans can weigh in when The Little Mermaid hits theaters hopefully by next year.
Source: Flaunt