Black excellence is alive and well, and Halle Bailey is proving it a million times over. Disney recently released its first official teaser for its remake of “The Little Mermaid,’ featuring Bailey as Princess Ariel.
In the highly-anticipated “The Little Mermaid” preview, Bailey can be seen surrounded by sea life, as the song “Part of Your World” crescendos in the background. She can be heard singing the medley in her soft signature tone. The upcoming musical will underscore songs that were featured in the original 1989 animated release of the classic, along with an array of new records. Although the released trailer includes a small portion of Bailey performing “Part of Your World,” fans who attended the D23 Expo on Friday, Sept. 9, saw a more extended version.
At D23 Expo, Bailey shared that the experience wad “an honor” and said it was the first time that she was seeing the extended version.
“I’m sure all of you in here can relate to Ariel and how special she is to all of us,” she said. “Being a little girl swimming in the pool, imagining I was a mermaid, I never imagined that would come to life like this. The three days filming ‘Part of Your World’ was the most beautiful experience of my life — feeling all the feelings she feels, her passion, discomfort, everything she’s experiencing. It was so exciting for me to play those emotions and to have Rob directing me and being such a moving force on this film was really an honor.”
Rob Marshall, who is the Director of the musical remake referred to Bailey’ performance as “a tour de force,” and said that Halle had a lot of range.
“It’s the range of what Halle brings, full and emotional and so joyous and fighter. You see all the sides of her,” said Marshall. The live-action remake of the Disney will be released on May 26, 2023. Bailey was cast for the role in 2019., and made history while doing so. Watch the trailer below.