The lead role for Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” was announced in 2019. Now, we’ve finally tasted Halle on the big screen.
The trailer for the live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid” dropped this weekend (Sep 10). The brief clip showed several underwater shots accompanied by Alan Menken’s original score.
Of course, the standout from the 90-second trailer is Halle Bailey, the wistfully singing part of “The Little Mermaid” world.
The trailer, also for the first time, shows Halle Bailey as Ariel. The audience came back with overwhelmingly positive comments. Many specifically praise Halle’s smooth and even tone that shines through even with just a few seconds of music. Half of the four-time Grammy-nominated group, Chloe X Halle, this young Atlanta native clearly has a musical gift. While her sister Chloe firstly made strides in the solo pop world following their hit sophomore album “Ungodly Hour,” Halle has been a bit more low-key.
Aside from some short studio snippets on Instagram, fans hadn’t received much recent detail on Halle’s solo ventures. That all changed yesterday evening with the release of “The Little Mermaid” trailer. Already, there are over 7 million views on YouTube and 400,000 likes on Twitter. Almost instantly, viral tweet after viral tweet popped up, praising the red-headed vocalist. To say Halle is making waves on social media would be underselling it massively.
“I truly will make this film my entire personality when it drops,” one fan wrote.
“This may be Disney’s best live action remake to date,” another commented.
Forgive me for the person I will be once they begin the marketing campaign for Halle Bailey’s The Little Mermaid. I truly will make this film my entire personality when it drops https://t.co/vfmZJW9wya
THIS IS EVERYTHING… IN SO SO MANY WAYS!!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS BEAUTIFUL @HalleBailey THIS IS BEYOND ICONIC… IN SO SO MANY WAYS!!!💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕🎈🎉🎊💕🥰 https://t.co/alnxPqsl8G
“The Little Mermaid” is the latest of several live-action remakes made by Disney in recent years. This comes after a realistic rendition of “Cinderella,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” “Dumbo,” and “The Lion King,” amongst others. Of course, with any outpouring of love comes the haters. Upon Disney’s announcement of Halle’s casting 3 years ago, some moviegoers weren’t thrilled at the differences from the 1989 original.
Namely, Halle seems to be a point of contention for some by being a black woman with dreadlocks. Thankfully, the highly vocal support from the black community and Disney fans, who tend to welcome diversity, eclipsed by the slight backlash.
For many black moviegoers, this most recent rendition of “The Little Mermaid” is more than just a movie. It’s also a chance to recreate a part of their childhood with a leading lady that looks like them.
Twitter users were quick to liken Halle Bailey to a young Brandy, who famously starred in a 1997 remake of Cinderella with Whitney Houston. For millions of girls, even before the “Princess and the Frog,” this was the first movie experience with someone looking like them being portrayed as royalty. In particular, that representation is vital for black youth, which shows in the online responses to “The Little Mermaid” trailer.
Grew up obsessed with the little mermaid; watched it almost every night when my parents dropped me off at the sitters.
I can’t believe I get to see Ariel as a black girl; and @HalleBailey is perfect 😍
We already know that this beautiful young woman is going to be targeted with hate because some think a fictional portrayal of a make-believe species cannot be a POC. Please, @DisneyStudios, take steps now to protect her and support her with a full voice. https://t.co/jxfAbrZp1x
Disney wasn’t looking for a black actress when they held auditions, they were looking for an actress who could sing, so for people saying #notmyariel well next time tell your Ariel to sing better 😂😂 cuz we will be enjoying #ourariel 🎥 💁🏾♂️🍿 https://t.co/ghcMofqjE9
i don’t care what ariel looked like in the original little mermaid im telling my kids that ariel was black with dreadlocks. from now on halle is the only little mermaid that matters
An ambitious young journalist from Baltimore, Maryland with a passion for releasing candid and accurate information to the public. Has experience in broadcast, reporting, and editing. Always strives to make stories unique and captivating while telling the truth. Currently pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Broadcast Journalism.
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