Halle Bailey is starring as Ariel in the live-action version of the beloved film The Little Mermaid, and Black girls around the world are having major reactions to seeing a Disney princess who looks just like them.
Halle took on the role back in 2019 and had only positive things to say about the upcoming experience. The release of the first trailer has audiences excited to see what the 22-year-old will do with the role.
Blavity shared a series of TikTok videos that show little girls reacting to seeing Halle as Ariel. The heartwarming videos clearly show how powerful it can be for a young child to see themselves represented in media.
Parents are excited for the film's release in May 2022. As one wrote on TikTok, "You know where we will be May 26th!! This is everything for my #BrownBabiesinDisney I’m so glad my kids get @halle as their Ariel! ♀️ #representationmatters #thelittlemermaid #myarielisblack #blackgirlmagic #d23expo #hallebailey."
In 2019, Halle gushed about having the opportunity to play Ariel. She said, "I feel like I'm dreaming, and I'm just grateful. And I don't pay attention to the negativity. I just feel like this role is something bigger than me, and greater, and it's going to be beautiful. I'm just so excited to be a part of it."
Halle has spoken up about what taking on the role has meant to her, especially as she's begun to see what it also means to so many people. She told Variety, "It was an inspiring and beautiful thing to hear their words of encouragement, telling 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.'"
She continued, "I want the little girl in me and the little girls just like me who are watching to know that they’re special and that they should be a princess in every single way. There’s no reason that they shouldn’t be. That reassurance was something that I needed."
Halle was 18 years old when she was spotted by director Rob Marshall, who invited her to audition for the role after hearing her sing. Rob brought Halle in to sing "Part of That World" and told Variety that she owned the song and the moment.
He said, "When she finished, I was in tears because she’s so soulful. You could tell right away that she was able to harness Ariel’s passion, her fire, her soul, her joy and her heart."
