With Halle Bailey making a major splash in the title role, Disney’s live-action Little Mermaid ranks among the studio’s most enjoyable reimaginings.
Discovered and mentored by Beyonce, Halle Bailey achieved Grammy-nominated success alongside her sister Chloe before landing the leading role of Ariel in live-action remake “The Little Mermaid” (2020). Born in Atlanta, GA in 2000, Halle Bailey began performing alongside her older sister Chloe on YouTube from the age of eight. The duo, who named themselves Chloe x Halle, quickly developed a loyal following and after launching their own channel, attracted the attention of Beyonce with their rendition of her track, “Pretty Hurts.”
The youngest of King Triton’s daughters, and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea, and while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land, but ultimately places her life — and her father’s crown — in jeopardy.
Having previously guested on Tyler Perry’s “House of Payne” (TBS, 2007-2012), briefly appeared in Queen Latifah vehicle “Last Holiday” (2006) and performed as a choir member in both “Let It Shine” (2012) and “Joyful Noise” (2012), Halle kickstarted her acting career properly when she was cast alongside her sibling as track athlete Skylar Forster in spin-off sitcom “Grown-ish” (Freeform, 2018- ), with the pair also providing the theme tune. Halle’s profile then skyrocketed when she was confirmed to play mermaid Ariel in “The Little Mermaid” (2020), Rob Marshall’s live-action remake of the 1989 animated Disney classic.