In an interview with Comicbook, actress Halle Bailey, from The Little Mermaid, commented on the importance of bringing Ariel to life in live-action. According to the star, the role holds great significance for her career and she hopes fans can get something valuable out of the final result.
The chat focused on the trailer just released during D23, in which Bailey appears singing one of the most iconic songs from the feature film. Despite the comparisons with animation and the numerous references that the project will contain, everything indicates that Disney’s personal touches will be implemented, especially mechanisms that bring the story and screen elements closer to the protagonist played by the young actress.
“Well, this movie has meant a lot to me since I was a little girl. I think, approaching this role, I said to myself, ‘I can only try my best and be proud. If I make the little girl inside me happy, so I know I did a good job and I know I’m doing my best.’ I gave it my all and I hope people can get something out of it,” Bailey said.
She also took advantage of her social media to share an emotional account of a fan. On her Twitter profile, the artist reposted a video in which a girl appears thrilled to see Ariel in the flesh on the screen.
The reaction is also a response to the numerous criticisms and hateful messages that the film has been suffering even before its release and reinforces the importance of this conceptual renewal especially for young black women. See below:
ki just sobbed watching this thanks ????she’s so sweet ???? https://t.co/jKKdHkOvDe
— Halle (@HalleBailey) September 11, 2022
The Little Mermaid debuts in early 2023.
