The film stars singer Halle Bailey in the title role, alongside Jonah Hauer-King, Daveed Diggs, Awkwafina, Jacob Tremblay, Noma Dumezweni, Art Malik, Javier Bardem and Melissa McCarthy.

Who auditioned for the role of The 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.

Who auditioned for Ariel 2023?

Disney's live-action “The Little Mermaid” had “no agenda” when it came to the casting of Ariel, director Rob Marshall told Entertainment Weekly. The “Chicago” and “Into the Woods” director said his team auditioned “every ethnicity” for the role before landing on singer Halle Bailey.

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.”

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.

The Cast Of "The Little Mermaid" Finds Out Which Characters They Really Are

Why did Disney choose Halle to be Ariel?

"When I chose Halle for the role, it was literally because she was the best person for the role," Marshall says. "It's about who claims a role, who brings a role to life in a way you could never have imagined."

Did Halle Bailey audition for The Little Mermaid?

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.

Did Lizzo audition for Ursula?

Lizzo Reflects on Her 'Terrible' Audition for 'The Little Mermaid' Remake: 'I Was Down to Make Ursula a THOT' "The singing was great. I'll just say that," the singer shared of going for the role.

Who else auditioned for Ursula?

Lizzo showcased her audition for The Little Mermaid's Ursula in a since-privated viral video. She didn't get the part, but she "was down to make Ursula a THOT, shaking ass." The role went to Melissa McCarthy, whom Lizzo met during a taping of Adele's "One Night Only" concert.

What ethnicity is Ariel?

In the 1989 movie, Ariel was born in the fictional underwater kingdom of Atlantica, which technically makes her Atlantican, not Danish. As Ariel is half fish, she cannot be categorized by our ethnicities and races.

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

It's believed that Bailey made about $1.5 million for her role as Ariel in The Little Mermaid, but that number could increase depending on how well the film performs opening weekend and beyond.

Why did Halle Bailey audition for The Little Mermaid?

In 2019 her agent told her that, after seeing her perform at the Grammys, director Rob Marshall wanted her to audition. Bailey figured the part was “one of the sisters or something like that,” she tells Glamour exclusively.

What does Halle Bailey say about The Little Mermaid?

"What truly strikes my heart and makes me just cry are seeing the reactions of the babies and the children and the beautiful Black, brown boys and girls who see themselves in this character, in this new version of Ariel," Bailey says. "And that honestly, is what I focus on, what makes me the happiest.

Which actress Bailee will star in 2023 The Little Mermaid?

Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney's live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid.” Jonah Hauer-King was in the middle of rehearsals for Disney's “The Little Mermaid” when he heard a voice ring out from another area of the soundstage.

Did Melissa McCarthy audition for The Little Mermaid?

The Little Mermaid director Rob Marshall reveals that a chance encounter at an awards show led to him casting Melissa McCarthy as the villainous Ursula in the upcoming live-action Disney remake.

Who else was considered for Ursula in Little Mermaid?

The Ursula we know (and fear) was almost not. Disney worked through several versions of “The Little Mermaid's” antagonist, from trying to cast Bea Arthur, Joan Collins and Broadway star Elaine Stritch to voice the villain to considering her form to a shark.

Why did they cast Melissa McCarthy as Ursula?

With Ursula's original design inspired by the famous drag queen Divine, McCarthy's experience as a drag queen provides the actor with another key qualifier for the role.

Did Queen Latifah play Ursula?

' She may have played the villain, but Queen Latifah was the hero of the small-screen musical.

Did Lizzo audition for Glee?

Lizzo auditioned for The Glee Project (the reality competition show designed to find new cast members for Glee), but she didn't make it on the show.

Why does The Little Mermaid have dreadlocks?

Halle went on to say that she wanted to keep Ariel's red hair because that's an integral part of her character, but that she admired the fact that she is a Black woman with locs and wanted to bring that part of herself to Ariel's look.

How old is Ariel in The Little Mermaid?

Ariel Is 16 In The Little Mermaid

In Disney's 1989 animated adaptation of The Little Mermaid, Ariel is 16 years old. The Disney adaptation makes many changes to Hans Christian Andersen's original fairytale, but Ariel's age is consistent as she's depicted as a teenager in the original tale too.

What is the backlash of The Little Mermaid?

Chinese state media and netizens have condemned the casting of Halle Bailey, who is Black, as Princess Ariel – echoing some people in the United States who have expressed anger that the Atlanta-born actress does not resemble the light-skinned character of the 1989 animated film or the 1837 fairy tale by Hans Christian ...