Halle Bailey was the first to audition for the beloved and coveted role of Ariel in Disney's live-action “The Little Mermaid.” After Bailey belted out the classic showstopper “Part of Your World” from the original 1989 film, director Rob Marshall and the other filmmakers knew that she was the one for the role.

Who was originally cast as Ariel?

Jodi Benson was the voice of Ariel in Disney's animated 1989 “Little Mermaid” classic. Starting in 2019, when Halle Bailey was cast in the live-action version, Benson has been nothing but supportive of the 23-year-old being “part of her world.”

Who should have been cast as Ariel?

Known for portraying Cheryl Blossom on the popular television series Riverdale, 28-year-old Madelaine Petsch would have been a great choice to play the role of Ariel in The Little Mermaid.

Did Zendaya audition for The Little Mermaid?

Director Rob Marshall had auditioned the crème de la crème of young Hollywood for the role, and even Zendaya was rumored to have read for the part. But it was movie newcomer Bailey who won the coveted lead.

How was Halle Bailey chosen for Little mermaid?

Halle Bailey was the first to audition for the beloved and coveted role of Ariel in Disney's live-action “The Little Mermaid.” After Bailey belted out the classic showstopper “Part of Your World” from the original 1989 film, director Rob Marshall and the other filmmakers knew that she was the one for the role.

‘Little Mermaid’ director says Halle Bailey was the first to audition and set the bar high

Did Chloe and Halle audition for Little mermaid?

Chloe Bailey Helped Halle With Little Mermaid Audition.

Did Halle audition for Ariel?

Director Rob Marshall reveals what it was like seeing Halle Bailey's initial audition for Ariel. “The first actor we saw for this role was Halle. The first thing she did is she came in and sang for us. She shut her eyes and started to sing the song.

What race is Ariel supposed to be?

The movie is loosely based on the fairy tale, so Disney has the freedom to give Ariel any skin color they want. In the 1989 movie, Ariel was born in the fictional underwater kingdom of Atlantica, which technically makes her Atlantican, not Danish.

Who is the black mermaid in Ariel?

Disney's live-action version of the 1989 animated classic 'The Little Mermaid' hits theaters on Friday. This highly-anticipated film is also marking a moment in Disney history with Halle Bailey as the first Black Ariel.

What did Jodi Benson say to Halle Bailey?

In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Bailey revealed the comforting advice Benson shared with her as she prepared to take on the role. “She told me how proud she was of me and how I'm handling everything, and encouraged me to just go for it,” the actress explained.

How did Jodi Benson get the role of Ariel?

He knew she would be the perfect fit for the role and that she would be a great replica of Ariel. After hearing the demo for "Part of Your World", she sang a small part of it on tape where it was later sent to Disney executives. Before her audition for The Little Mermaid, she was primarily a stage actress.

Are Belle and Ariel the same voice?

Benson has continued to reprise her role as Ariel in most Disney-related media, including the animated television series House of Mouse (in which she also voiced Belle from Beauty and the Beast on behalf of Paige O'Hara).

Why did Disney cast a Black Ariel?

On the significance of casting a Black actress as Ariel

Sherri Hope Culver: To have a Disney character who is not just a princess but a live-action, real flesh and blood person that children can be inspired by is important. This is because people of color are less likely to see themselves reflected in the media.

Who was Ariel visible only to?

To whom was Ariel invisible? Ans: Ariel was invisible to all human beings . Nobod y could see him except Prospero.

Which actress was Ariel based on?

In the recently released book, Disney Princess: Beyond The Tiara, it was confirmed that supermodel Christie Brinkley was a huge source of inspiration for the design of The Little Mermaid's Ariel. Meanwhile, a young Alyssa Milano was also an unknowing model for how the famous mermaid would look on screen.

What is Prince Eric's nationality?

It is never stated in the movie what exactly is the country of origin for Prince Eric. The creators of the movie stated that they got ideas for his castle from Italian, France, and Algerian architecture, so there is a combination of Mediterranean cultures. I always assumed that he was the Prince of Denmark.

Was Ariel supposed to be blonde?

“I remember the first thumbnail sketches,” Benson tells EW of the first iterations of Ariel. “She had blonde hair. She looked like one of the exaggerated faces from [the] Peter Pan era. She looked a little bit glamorous and a little bit mature to me.”

Why are Ariel's sisters different ethnicities?

So, why the change? One theory is that each of Ariel's sisters represents different oceans that are home to various cultures and ethnicities. It's pretty problematic to have mermaids who all look the same representing such an expansive underwater world.

Why did Halle Bailey get the role of Ariel?

Marshall says Bailey fit the bill and scored the part after auditioning against hundreds of other girls of different ethnicities. "When I chose Halle for the role, it was literally because she was the best person for the role," Marshall says.

How old was Halle Bailey when she made Little Mermaid?

Filming “The Little Mermaid” was a metamorphic experience for Bailey, who was 18 when she auditioned and 21 when she finished production.

How much did Halle Bailey get paid for The Little Mermaid?

According to Showbiz Galore, she was reportedly paid $1.5 million to don the tail and seashells, though some news outlets reported slightly more modest earnings of $500,000. Despite the online backlash about casting a Black Ariel, this project made Halle Bailey a household name, especially among young Disney fans.

Who is Halle Bailey's husband?

Bailey resides in North Hollywood, Los Angeles with her sister. She and her sister are both vegans. Bailey has been in a relationship with DDG, a YouTuber and American rapper, since December 2021 and appears in his videos on occasion. On January 6, 2024, Bailey announced the birth of the couple's firstborn son.