Disney initially announced the casting of Halle Bailey as the lead in their live-action remake of The Little Mermaid in 2019. Unfortunately, since Halle is a black woman, it ignited a firestorm of controversy. Her community understandably rejoiced at the success of the talented 23-year-old. However, racists took to social media to spew their objections towards the push for diversity. Yara Shadidi faced a similar backlash when she landed the role of Tinkerbell in Peter Pan & Wendy. However, both young actresses have skillfully silenced their critics with their exceptional performances.
After much anticipation, Bailey’s debut film finally premiered in Hollywood earlier this month, marking a significant milestone in her career. The general public has had to wait a bit longer to watch it. However, a select group of celebrity friends, including Offset, Chlöe Bailey, and Kelly Rowland, were personally invited to an exclusive early screening. Many influential figures were able to attend the premiere. Afterward, many took to Twitter to share their enthusiastic thoughts on The Little Mermaid.
Halle: “I Was Sobbing Uncontrollably”
(Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images for Disney)
With the release of The Little Mermaid drawing near, Halle Bailey is looking back at her remarkable journey, emotion-filled journey. Her audition for the lead role was reportedly so powerful that it brought everyone in the room to tears. The film has sparked many important discussions about representation. Over the last few months, Bailey’s resilience has shone through. Despite facing backlash, she found strength in her grandparents’ words of encouragement. They expressed how her portrayal would empower their community. They said she would inspire young black and brown girls to see themselves represented in a meaningful way. Their support has fueled Bailey’s determination to make a lasting impact through her role in the film.
In a recent interview with Glamour, Halle opened up about seeing videos of young black girls reacting to her as Ariel. “When I saw those for the first time, I just cried,” she told the magazine. “I was sobbing uncontrollably. The fact that these babies are looking at me and feeling the emotions that they’re feeling is a really humbling, beautiful thing.” The actress will no doubt continue to inspire more children when the film opens this week. Stay tuned to HNHH for all the latest news on Halle Bailey and make sure to let us know what you think in the comments!
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