Halle Bailey says seeing a Black version of Ariel would have ‘changed my whole outlook on life’

By Alex Portée, Today

Halle Bailey knows the worth of her role in the upcoming “The Little Mermaid” adaptation.

During a Q&A session posted to her Youtube account, the singer touched on the impact of her upcoming role as Ariel in Disney’s live-action remake of the 1989 animated classic.

When asked about the most significant lesson she learned while on set, Bailey expressed that self-belief played a big factor.

Bailey also described the strenuous process involved in stepping into the shoes — well, fin — of a beloved character who eventually learns how to walk and use her voice. According to Bailey, she trained for three months to build up her strength so she could act and sing while suspended in mid-air and while submerged under water.

“I dedicated so much time, blood, sweat, and tears went into this work for this film,” she explained. “In the process, I learned so much about myself.”

Still, in the weeks following the release of “The Little Mermaid” trailer, Bailey and the creators of the film received a wave of backlash in regards to her race on social media.

Read about Bailey’s experience taking on this beloved role.

The Little Mermaid joins Phantom of the Opera and The Lion King in casting Black actors in well-known roles.

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