“I just focus on the positives and the greatness that I’ve been seeing in these beautiful babies’ reactions,” Halle Bailey said of young fans of her character.” Kayla James for The New York Times
Article inspired by: Kalia Richardson – New York Times
Halle Bailey finds herself riding the waves of emotions as she takes on her first major film role, playing the iconic character Ariel in Disney’s live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid.” But this journey hasn’t been without its challenges, including a racist backlash. Still, this Grammy-nominated singer remains undeterred.
When a young girl approached her at Disney World in March 2023, overcome with excitement, Halle struggled to hold back her own emotions. Yet, it was a box of sequined Little Mermaid dolls with auburn locs and cinnamon skin that truly moved her to tears. She reflected, “I just sat on my floor and sobbed for, like, 30 minutes straight.”
Halle, part of the R&B sibling duo Chloe x Halle, has graced YouTube audiences with renditions of Beyoncé classics and enthralled Super Bowl crowds with patriotic anthems. However, her childhood dream was to become Ariel, the Disney princess with boundless curiosity and determination. Ariel was a source of inspiration for her, a character she could relate to, despite the obvious visual differences.
But before the joyous reactions to the movie trailer, there was a disturbing racist backlash when it was announced that a Black actress would portray Disney royalty. For Halle, this experience highlighted the lack of Black princesses in her own childhood and her hopes for more diverse Disney leads for future generations.
The live action “The Little Mermaid” largely stays faithful to the original plot: Ariel loses her voice to explore the surface world and must receive true love’s kiss from Prince Eric. However, in this rendition, Ariel and Prince Eric share a shared eagerness for adventure and thirst for knowledge that surpasses their desire for romance. Halle’s powerhouse vocals, youthful laughter, and charismatic presence make her seem like a real-life princess.
In a video call from her Los Angeles apartment, Halle exuded a gentle demeanor, her words spoken as if they could ignite a spark. But beneath her sugary-sweet exterior, Halle possesses a go-getter spirit that has driven her since adolescence. Born into a musical family in Atlanta, she and her sister Chloe (Chloe x Halle) performed around the city and soon caught the attention of local producers. Their covers of classic R&B songs went viral, eventually leading to the discovery by Beyoncé, who signed them to her label, Parkwood Entertainment.
Under Beyoncé’s mentorship, the sisters released their own albums and received five Grammy nominations each. They even opened for Beyoncé during her Formation World Tour and performed during her On the Run II Tour. But it was the filming of “The Little Mermaid” in 2020 that separated Halle from her sister temporarily, Chloe, who continued to provide unwavering support.
Chloe encouraged Halle to embrace her newfound opportunities. Their sisterly bond was evident when they both received the news of Halle landing the starring role, resulting in tears of joy.
Director Rob Marshall and producer John DeLuca had their eyes on Halle after seeing Chloe x Halle’s tribute to Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack at the 2019 Grammys. Halle was the first actress to audition for the role of Ariel, and as she sang “Part of Your World,” Marshall was moved to tears.
“She claimed the role. She said, ‘I’m Ariel,’ and that’s what was so beautiful,” Marshall remarked.
Bringing Ariel to life required emotional resilience, physical strength, and a touch of innocence. Halle’s daily routine began at 4 a.m. with stunt work in the gym, followed by hours suspended from rigs and crane arms to simulate underwater scenes. While the underwater world was created digitally, Halle trained with synchronized swimmers and spent hours submerged in a water tank.
Bailey as Ariel in the new live action “Little Mermaid.” After a performance at the Grammys, the producers asked her to audition for the role. Credit…Disney
Despite her kind persona, Halle had no trouble accessing complex emotions for her role. DeLuca praised her ability to convey passion and feeling, making her performance in “Part of Your World” truly moving.
However, not everyone greeted her casting with open arms. Some fans of “The Little Mermaid” used the hashtag #NotMyAriel to express their discontent. Until then, Tiana in “The Princess and the Frog” was the only Black Disney princess in the studio’s nearly century-long history.
But for Halle, confronting racism is part of her daily life as a Black woman. She focuses on the positive impact of diversity in the Disney tale and remains undeterred. Halle expressed, “I don’t really let that affect me. I just focus on the positives and the greatness that I’ve been seeing in these beautiful babies’ reactions. That’s what’s special to me.”
The new film introduces changes to the original, removing sexualized language and emphasizing threats to the ocean. These alterations aim to maintain the story’s integrity while appealing to a broader audience. Halle noted that the new version closely aligns with the 1989 animated classic she cherished from her childhood.
Her Ariel retains her natural locs, an essential part of her identity. Halle has worn locs since age 5, and keeping her natural hairstyle was non-negotiable. She emphasized the importance of preserving the essence of Black women’s hair, calling it “special.”
Reflecting on the film, Halle mentioned the 1997 made-for-TV adaptation of “Cinderella” that featured a Black Disney princess played by Brandy and a Black fairy godmother played by Whitney Houston. She recognized the trailblazers who paved the way for her, saying, “There are ‘women who’ve opened the door for me to even be here today.’ So, I’m just grateful to be continuing that conversation.”
As she expressed her gratitude towards those who opened doors for her, Halle also found healing in the fact that her character now has a doll that looks like her. She believes it’s a significant step in boosting self-worth and confidence, especially for young girls who see themselves represented in their favorite characters.
Halle Bailey’s journey as Ariel in “The Little Mermaid” is not just about making waves in Hollywood; it’s about inspiring the next generation and embracing diversity. Through all the challenges and triumphs, she continues to shine as a role model, showing that dreams can come true, regardless of the backlash.
