Halle Bailey shines as Ariel in 'The Little Mermaid'

When 23-year-old American singer Halle Bailey was cast as Ariel, it was a moment of both joy and struggle as she became the target of public opinion - a backlash over her skin colour - on social media.

Talented singer and actress Halle Bailey

Halle Bailey read The Little Mermaid: Make a Splash to children at the White House in April 2023 and absorbed the good vibes from videos from her young fans.

"I just focus on the positivity and the beautiful reactions from these kids, realizing the greater meaning and purpose is for them to be able to see themselves and know that they deserve good things. Special moments like that make me feel like I'm in the right place," Halle Bailey told Reuters .

Based on the 1989 animated film and Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale of the same name, director Rob Marshall's new film tells the story of the mermaid Ariel, who makes a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula to trade her voice for human form and the chance to meet Prince Eric after she saves him from a shipwreck.

Halle Bailey in The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid cast also includes Jonah Hauer-King (as Eric), Melissa McCarthy (Ursula), Javier Bardem (King Triton)... Among the voice actors, Daveed Diggs plays Sebastian the crab, Awkwafina is Scuttle the bird and Jacob Tremblay portrays Flounder the fish.

With encouragement from loved ones, Halle Bailey took her role literally by taking lessons, especially mermaid swimming skills.

"I have amazing swimming coaches who support me. They come to my house every Sunday and they teach me how to swim," she said.

Actress Halle Bailey attends the premiere of The Little Mermaid in Los Angeles, California, USA on May 8, 2023

Veteran actress McCarthy also jumped at the chance to play Ursula, a character she has long felt attached to.

“I used to think of Ursula as my girlfriend,” McCarthy said, recalling the animated film The Little Mermaid , which she first saw in theaters when she was 20. McCarthy appreciated being able to explore Ursula’s fears and loneliness.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/halle-bailey-toa-sang-qua-vai-ariel-trong-nang-tien-ca-185230525093733186.htm