Atlanta native Halle Bailey on intense ‘Little Mermaid’ movie preparation

Transforming into a Disney princess is no easy feat – just ask Halle Bailey.

Four years ago, one half of the sibling duo, Chloe x Halle, was cast as the lead in the live-action reboot of “The Little Mermaid.” This is groundbreaking in itself, as Halle is only the second Black actor to play a Disney princess – the first being Anika Noni Rose as the voice of Tiana in the 2009 release of “The Princess and the Frog.” Speaking of Tiana, she has a ride opening at Disney Land Resort and Walt Disney World in 2024.

Between COVID delays and getting emotionally prepared for the role, Bailey also had to learn several aerodynamic techniques – flying on wires and other technical apparatuses in order to truly embody Ariel’s mermaid-like movements. We are talking flying, spinning and flipping through the air – can you imagine the workout she got while doing all of that?!

When it comes to the costume, everyone has been very hush-hush, but Marshall says that Ariel’s hair incorporates Bailey’s signature locs. “She looks stunning in red hair; not everybody does,” Marshall said.

Bailey is a busy woman, right after filming “The Little Mermaid” she headed to Georgia to work on the musical adaptation of “The Color Purple.” She’ll be playing Nettie, the main character Celie’s sister.