Before becoming Ariel in The Little Mermaid, Halle Bailey had already built a strong relationship with Disney. She first gained attention in 2012 when she and her sister Chloe, won Radio Disney’s Next Big Thing competition. That opportunity led to a guest appearance on the Disney Channel series Austin & Ally.
Over the years, Bailey continued to grow within the Disney family. She starred as Sky Forster in the hit series Grown-ish and recorded the song Warrior for the A Wrinkle in Time soundtrack in 2018.
Everything changed when director Rob Marshall cast her as Ariel in Disney’s 2023 live-action remake of The Little Mermaid. Marshall praised Bailey for bringing a unique combination of innocence and an incredible singing voice to the role.
Bailey also made history as only the second Black actress to officially portray a Disney Princess in a live-action film. Her version of Part of Your World quickly became one of the film’s standout moments, blending the beloved original with her own soulful style.
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The Little Mermaid earned more than $560 million worldwide but Halle’s impact extended far beyond the box office. Videos of young Black and Brown girls reacting emotionally to seeing a princess who looked like them quickly spread across social media, highlighting the cultural significance of her casting.
Halle Bailey’s Disney journey is proof that classic stories can evolve while still preserving their magic. More importantly, it shows how representation can inspire an entirely new generation of dreamers.
