Halle Bailey has spoken out for the first time about being cast as Ariel in Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid.
While making a grown-ish appearance on ABC’s Strahan and Sara Tuesday, guest co-host Keke Palmer asked Bailey about her feelings on the role.
“It’s really, really exciting. I just feel really grateful right now,” said the actress-singer, who currently stars on grown-ish as Sky Forster. “I’m still really in shock, I just found out a day or two ago…It’s so great.”
Did you catch #EssenceFest this weekend? @KekePalmer takes us through the highlights- including sit downs with @maryjblige, @chloexhalle, & more. pic.twitter.com/7txFbrT9OV
— Strahan and Sara (@StrahanAndSara) July 8, 2019
Freeform, which airs grown-ish, recently supported Bailey in her new role by releasing a statement to “the Poor, Unfortunate Souls” who have attacked Bailey’s casting. Thankfully, however, most of the responses have been positive, including the response from Ariel’s original voice actress Jodi Benson, who said, “I think that the spirit of a character is what really matters.”
Thankfully Bailey isn’t paying the haters any mind and is continuing to bask in this moment.
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Photo credit: Freeform/Aaron Poole