7 Jan - Although it's been two years since she was first announced to play Ariel in the live-action adaptation of Disney's "The Little Mermaid", singer-actress Halle Bailey recently admitted that she still couldn't believe that she was chosen among many to play the Disney princess. In an episode of "Talks with Mama Tina, Halle", who sat down with sister Chloe, stated that the whole thing felt surreal. "It was much of a shocker for me. Even when I was asked to audition, I looked at it and I was like, 'Me? For Ariel?'" she said. Bailey stated that she would never imagine someone like her playing the character, as she is used to the red hair and pale skin depiction of Ariel from the animated feature.
"She was amazing to me. I loved her, like we all did. But that's what I've seen her as for so long," she said. "But [I'm] so grateful that I kind of get to reinvent Ariel and show other young, beautiful Black and brown children that hey, you can be this too. You are magical and mythical and all of the wonderful things in between as well." Filming for the movie has already wrapped up with cast members that include Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Javier Bardem as King Triton, and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula.