Mermaids: How ‘wonderful women’ helped Halle Bailey rise above #NotMyAriel vitriol | To exclude, to expel
Since 1989, children around the globe have grown up with the voices of Jodi Benson Guide them from under the sea to a whole new world.
Now, those kids are grown up – and their children have the privilege of looking Halle BaileyThe real-life Ariel is the bridge between the ocean and the land, and a symbol, in many ways, of empowerment.
It’s a huge legacy to carry on and not a job without its weight – but unlike Atlas, Bailey doesn’t have to shoulder it alone.
Watch the video above.
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”I’m so grateful to be a young woman and I’m so inspired by women in general,” the 23-year-old singer-songwriter-actor told 9Honey Celebrity in Sydney.
Although Disney’s live-action remake Little Mermaid launching into Australian cinemas today, being Ariel has been a long journey for Bailey, the role was announced in July 2019.
She was 18 when she got the call and is already a successful pop star in her own right.
One half of sister duo Chloe x Halle, Beyoncé signed to her record label Parkwood Entertainment in 2015 to a six-album minimum deal said to be worth around US$1 million (about US$1.5 million).
It is because of her voice that Bailey has been dubbed the real-life little mermaid, with director Rob Marshall noting that she, as the first one who was hoped to officially audition, has set the bar very high standards with her impromptu performance Part of your world – so much so that he was in tears – so much so that hundreds of other actresses watched after that never got a chance.
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However, when news of the new Ariel was announced, Bailey’s vocal abilities were engulfed by a barrage of criticism centered on one thing: the color of her skin.
In just a few minutes, Hollywood’s next slated blockbuster has become the decoy for a particular aspect of the increasingly divisive culture war. -vitriol is shared with the hashtag # #NotMyAriel.
Bailey, a teenager who is now a real-life Disney Princess, is just collateral damage.
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Ironically, a core message of the on-screen story in Little Mermaid not afraid of what is different from you; and, like her 4K counterpart, Bailey rose above the depths of reductive discourse – with a little help from her friends.
Friends are said to include “wonderful women”, a list with co-stars Melissa McCartneywho plays Ursula, Beyoncé’s “mentor”, Jodi Benson herself and Halle Berry – of the world The First and Only Black Woman to Win an Oscar for Best Actresspeople also don’t mind praising Bailey on social media – it has a red underline on it.
“[They’ve] have done this before and am in my position now and know what it takes to go through this, something as big as this that people only care so much about,” Bailey said with a close laugh. like unbelievable.
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“I think it’s a wonderful thing when you can have inspirational women lifting you up and saying, ‘You’re doing the right thing, I’m proud of you. Keep it going,'” she continued. .
“For me, it meant the whole world getting that validation from Jodi Benson, Ariel’s original voice,” Bailey said.
“She was the soundtrack to so many of our childhoods and an icon, and the fact that she was so open, honest and proud of me made me feel so appreciated,” she said, before when she admitted that she was “panic” when it happened. came to Benson’s admiration because she herself “loved[s] she”.
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Meanwhile, Beyoncé is “a very proud aunt who just claps her hands for you and says, ‘You go, you go.'”
“She’s one of those wonderful women who really give you advice through a living example,” Bailey said.
“Her work ethic, and watching her is like all the advice you need, it’s like, ‘Oh my God. One day, I might, like, maybe achieve. that.'”
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McCarthy is also someone who is “there for [Bailey]” on set and will “keep[her] hand”, said: “You’re doing great, I’m proud of you.”
“It means the whole world to me,” Bailey said of the support.
Her portrayal of Ariel, despite the controversies, is something Bailey has only positive things to say – and it’s something she’ll remember for a long time.
Ariel may have 20 ‘thingamabobs’ she loves in her hideout, but Bailey has two – plus the invisible impact of her role measured in every hug from a little girl.
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Bailey, along with Jonah Hauer-King, who plays Prince Eric in the live-action, were presented with a turquoise mermaid statue by director Rob Marshall and producer John DeLuca that was originally directed by Rob Marshall and producer John DeLuca while filming.
Bailey also has a “beautiful blue corset” from the first dress Ariel wore on land as a human.
“They’re really special, they’re hidden in my closet,” Bailey said.
They will be framed when Bailey has a home where she can hang “massive artwork” on the interior walls – a milestone she could hit sooner rather than later if the film hits it. Expected US$1.1 billion (approximately US$1.66 billion) box office at the end of theatrical run.
The Little Mermaid is playing in Australian cinemas from May 25.
All the best looks at The Little Mermaid Sydney premiere
