Disney’s “Little Mermaid” Casts Woman Of Colour Halle Bailey As Ariel

Disney is all set to go on the floor with one of its most celebrated stories—"Little Mermaid” and this time they have chosen a woman of color to play the famous character. US-based Singer-actress Halle Bailey of the famous R&B sister duo ChloeXHalle has come on board to play the lead character Ariel, Hollywood Reporter reported. Ariel’s character in the story longs to live on the dry land and rebels against her father King Triton.

Actors like Melissa McCarthy, Jacob Tremblay, and Awkwafina are also in talks to star and lend their voices to other live-action and CG parts in the film.

Disney’s core team took the decision on Wednesday after which they informed the budding star about it. "After an extensive search, it was abundantly clear that Halle possesses that rare combination of spirit, heart, youth, innocence, and substance — plus a glorious singing voice — all intrinsic qualities necessary to play this iconic role,” said Marshall in a statement, The Sun quoted.

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Actors like Melissa McCarthy, Jacob Tremblay, and Awkwafina are also in talks to star and lend their voices to other live-action and CG parts in the film which is being directed by Mary Poppins and Mary Poppins Returns fame director Rob Marshall. He will co-direct the film with John DeLuca, Marc Platt, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

The film will feature songs from the 1989 animated classic by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, as well as new ones by Menken and Miranda. It will go on floors in early 2020.

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The sister duo’s career began by posting cover videos on YouTube. In 2016, they released their first EP titled Sugar Symphony, which spawned two singles “Drop” and “Fall”. While Drop has more than five million views on YouTube, Fall has racked up more than a million views.

Atlanta native Bailey has already made a name for herself with a slew of successful works in films, television, and music. The sister duo’s career began by posting cover videos on YouTube. In 2016, they released their first Extended Play titled Sugar Symphony, which spawned two singles “Drop” and “Fall”. While Drop has more than five million views on YouTube, Fall has racked up more than a million views. Bailey has been mentored by Beyoncé, and has co-starred with Yara Shahidi in Grown-ish along with sister Chloe. The sisters worked with Beyonce again last year, opening at the US portion of her and Jay Z's On The Run II tour.

In 2017, they released their second extended play record called ‘Two Of Us’ featuring hits like ‘Used to Love’ and ‘Too Much Sauce’. Rolling Stones named it the Best R&B Albums of 2017. In the same year, ChloeXHalle released ‘Grown’ which became the theme song for the Black-ish spinoff, Grown-ish.

They have also been nominated twice at the Grammys for best new artist and best urban contemporary album for their The Kids Are Alright. In January this year, the two sisters who have been raised in LA, California sang America The Beautiful at the Super Bowl, a highly sought after gig.

Picture credit- People

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