Halle Bailey is preparing for her latest movie, Disney’s live-action “Little Mermaid,” out in theaters.
The 23-year-old will play the lead role, Princess Arieland she just hit the red carpet at the world premiere of the live-action film.
Halle Bailey Wants Young Fans To Know ‘They Are Worth It’
Actress Lin Yichen had a message for all her young fans who never considered themselves their favorite princess.
“I hope that they just know that they deserve it and that we deserve to be in these spaces,” Bailey said. “Good Morning America” when on the red carpet the live-action world premiere of “The Little Mermaid”. “And I hope they see themselves and me on the screen.”
“I’m so grateful to be here,” she continued before naming other African-American actresses who have taken on the role of Disney Princesses. “There were women before me like Brandy and Anika Rose who created the blueprint for me to be here today, so I just took advantage of this moment,” Bailey told the ABC show. .
Halle Bailey addresses backlash
Right after the Walt Disney Company announced Halle Bailey will play Ariel in the live-action film, fans immediately took to social media to criticize the company for casting a Black actress to play the Princess. The hashtag #NotMyAriel is even starting to trend.
Bailey is open about the backlash, admitting that she was expecting it. “As a Negro, you just expect that and it’s not a shock anymore,” Bailey said. Face in a recent interview.” When [Chlöe and I] first signed with Parkwood, [Beyoncé] always say, ‘I never read my comments. Never read the comments.’ Honestly, when the trailer came out, I was at the D23 Expo, and I was so happy. I don’t see any negativity.”
She added, “I know people are like: ‘It’s not about race.’ But now here I am…People don’t understand that there’s a whole other community when you’re Black. It is essential for us to see ourselves.”
Bailey is not the first Black actress to play a white princess, as Brandy took on the role of Cinderella in the 1997 musical, “Cinderella”.
Jodi Benson ‘Proud’ of Halle Bailey
Many actors and actresses have supported Bailey, including Jodi Benson, who voiced Ariel in the original 1989 animated film.
“Her pure spirit, her joy, her love, her unbelievable vulnerability, her honesty, her bravery, her courage… so beautiful.” Benson said about Bailey. “It’s just a good way of telling the Ariel story. I am so proud of her!”
The two shared a special moment on the red carpet: Benson gave bailey a long hug and then encouragement.
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– Little Mermaid (@LittleMermaid) May 9, 2023
Disney’s real people “Little Mermaid” It hits theaters on May 26, 2023. It stars Halle Bailey as Ariel, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Javier Bardem as King Triton, Daveed Diggs as Sebastian and Jacob Tremblay as Flounder.
