Halle Bailey has won the hearts of child fans worldwide, despite The Little Mermaid just arriving in theatres this weekend.
Bailey, 22, will direct the Little Mermaid live-action adaptation, and she will play the mythical red-haired sea creature Ariel who gives up her water existence to become a human.
The Disney film will be released in theatres on Sunday, May 26, but some fans have already expressed disapproval since they didn’t think a Black actress could play a fictitious marine creature. This gave rise to the hashtag #NotMyAriel, and Bailey received a tonne of hateful and racist messages as a result.
Young Black and Brown girls were excited to finally see a Disney princess that resembled them on the big screen, thanks to Bailey’s inclusion in the new movie.
During a Q&A video on her YouTube channel last year, Atlanta-born Bailey defended herself against the criticism, saying: “As a Black person, you just anticipate it, and it’s not really a shock anymore. I want the little girl inside of me and the little girls watching to understand that they’re unique and that they should live like princesses in every manner.
“There is no justification why they shouldn’t. That comfort was something that I needed.”
When they told me, “You don’t understand what this is doing for us, for our community, for all the little Black and brown girls who are going to see themselves in you,” Bailey continued, “It was an inspiring and beautiful thing to hear.”
And she was telling the truth; in fact, Bailey had just visited Walt Disney World in Florida, where she delighted a young admirer by introducing herself as Ariel.
Bailey shared three little videos of their touching conversation on Instagram, describing one of them, “Met this beautiful baby Mila Rose who made me cry […]” She simply hugged me very close.
Halle Bailey Hugging the Girl
Ariel is the young girl’s favorite Disney character, as seen in the video, which had Bailey telling the youngster: “You’re so pretty.”
“Really? What’s her name? You’re so lovely and sweet. Mila?” In the video, Bailey says. “So lovely. Would you like to grin for the camera, Mila? What about a photo?
Bailey continues, obviously moved by the young girl’s admiration, “She won’t let go.”
Congratulations to singer and actor @HalleBailey on being named the celebrity ambassador for this year’s Disney Dreamers Academy! Visit the Disney Parks Blog to learn more and see the celebration that was held at Walt Disney World: https://t.co/7ZX68iOGgT pic.twitter.com/Yi9dcmdOea
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) March 24, 2023
Bailey was in Disney World as the celebrity ambassador for this year’s Disney Dreamers Academy.
The Little Mermaid was shot on location in London and sometimes lasted up to 13 hours a day. Bailey recently spoke with Edition Modern Luxury about this, revealing that this year’s remake will depart slightly from the original.
“I pushed myself the most I’ve ever pushed myself in my life.” “And I feel like the message from her was to know that you’ve always had it in you,” Bailey added, before adding that she was “really excited for my version of the film” after the film studio changed the script to ensure that Ariel’s desire to leave the ocean isn’t solely motivated by her want to escape the sea for a boy.
“We’ve definitely changed her perspective of leaving the ocean for a boy,” she added. “It’s much larger than that.” It’s all about her, her purpose, her freedom, her life, and her desires.”
