American actress, Halle Bailey, received praises and compliments at the world premiere of the live-action remake of ‘The Little Mermaid,’ in which she plays the first ever Black version of Ariel.
John DeLuca, the producer, and Rob Marshall, the Director of the movie, conveyed that they chose her because she was the best for the role. Marshall added that the casting was natural and it didn’t feel pushed or ‘woke’ unlike contrary speculations.
Bailey’s role as Ariel garnered a lot of racist backlash. During the premiere, the singer said, “I am honored to be a part of this and be one of the princesses now because, for me, it was Brandy as Cinderella and Anika Rose as Princess Tiana. So the fact that I’m getting to continue this and live on this kind of legacy is really exciting and I’m just grateful,” Africa News reported.
Jodie Benson, the voice behind Ariel in the 1989 animated film, commended Bailey’s enactment of the movie’s classic song ‘Part of Your World.’ She said, “I’m just thrilled at how Halle has taken her beauty to this song…she’s really captured the essence of who Ariel is. And I’m so very proud of her.”
Alongside Bailey, other stars in the movie include Akwafina, Melissa Mc Carthy, David Diggs, Jonah Hauer-King and Jacob Tremblay.
Hailey Bailey is a 23-year-old American singer and actress who rose to fame with her sister through their musical duo, Choe x Halle. She has released two albums with Chloe, and has starred in movies like Grown-ish, Ungodly Hour, and Last Holiday. According to People, she will soon be seen in the musical remake of the 1985 drama film, ‘The Color Purple.’
However, the live-action remake of ‘The Little Mermaid’ is set to premiere in theatres on May 26, 2023.
