Halle Bailey Doesn't Have Time For The Negativity Over "Little Mermaid" Casting

BY Erika Marie 3.7K Views
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Halle Bailey
She's just excited to be apart of the production.

Hollywood remakes usually send fans into a whirlwind over the thought of beloved characters they've admired for so being reimagined by a new generation. The Little Mermaid is going under two renovations, the first being a live show that is set will go down on November 5. The cast includes Queen Latifah as Ursula, Shaggy as Sebastian, and Auli'i Cravalho—the voice of princess Moana—who will star at everyone's favorite redheaded mermaid, Ariel.

The announcement that Cravalho would be playing the lead character wasn't met with as much opposition as that of the news that Chole x Halle singer Halle Bailey would also be portraying Ariel in the live-action film. Rumors state that the Bailey production won't even begin until next year, but her casting caused quite the stir on social media from those that were upset at a young black woman taking on the role.

Bailey has received kind words from her celebrity friends who recognize her talents, and recently she kept it classy when Variety asked her about the forthcoming film. "I feel like I'm dreaming," she said. "I'm just grateful and I don't pay attention to the negativity. I just feel like this role is something bigger than me and greater and it's gonna be beautiful. I'm just so excited to be apart of it." 

Meanwhile, Cravalho had nothing but encouraging words for Bailey. "Yeah I think there's so much room for so many different types of Ariels and so many mermaids. I'm so honored to be able to lend my voice and my interpretation of Ariel and I cannot wait to see Halle's."

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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