Original Ariel, Jodi Benson, Is THRILLED For Halle Bailey's 'Little Mermaid'!

In 2019, Disney announced that actress Halle Bailey, who is known for her work in ABC’s "Grown-ish" and as one half of the popular R&B singing duo Chloe x Halle, would play the iconic mermaid, Ariel, for the upcoming live-action remake "The Little Mermaid".

Soon after the announcement, Bailey and Disney both received backlash as the hashtag #NotMyAriel immediately began to trend.

Although many fans shared their disappointment on social media, many others including The Walt Disney Company, Jodi Benson (the original voice for Ariel in the 1989 animated classic), Lin-Manuel Miranda, and one of the producers and composers for the upcoming live-action remake, spoke out defending Disney’s decision and Bailey’s casting of the character.

Back in 2020, the "Grownish" actress spoke with Teen Vogue about "The Little Mermaid" backlash, stating that she won’t let the hate get her down. “We’ve always learned to just keep our heads up no matter the situation,” Bailey told Teen Vogue. “No matter what anybody has to say about you…just keep pushing.”

Bailey went on to explain how she knows there is so much support out there in the world and because of that, it helps to push away the hate and negativity.

Last weekend, The Walt Disney Company hosted its D23 Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center in California, where they announced several new projects, updates to past projects, and even showed never-before-seen previews of upcoming films -- including one for the live-action "The Little Mermaid".

Many have taken to social media to share their thoughts and opinions on the trailer, including the original voice actress of Ariel in the beloved 1989 animated film, Jodi Benson.

Benson shared love and support for her successor's "beautiful performance" on her Instagram Story shortly after the new trailer was released. "Halle, you were absolutely amazing!" Benson wrote alongside a photo of the young star and Rob Marshall, director of the upcoming film. "I'm SO proud of you and your beautiful performance as Ariel!" She added of the "brilliant" Marshall, "I'm so thankful of our friendship of over 35 years. Thank you for creating such a stunning film!"

Bailey then re-shared Benson's Story to her own Instagram Story, saying her support "means the world to me coming from you." She also said, "You made Ariel magical for us."

https://youtu.be/0-wPm99PF9U

The trailer for the live-action film was released last weekend at the D23 Expo. It was the first time fans saw Bailey as the classic Disney Princess as she performed the iconic song "Part of Your World."

The upcoming film is set to feature new music by Lin-Manuel Miranda as well as the original film's composer Alan Menken. The live-action "The Little Mermaid" is also set to star Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Javier Bardem as King Triton, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder, Daveed Diggs as Sebastian, and Awkwafina as Scuttle.

"The Little Mermaid" is set to hit theaters on May 26, 2023.