Halle Bailey is ready to make her Disney debut as she is starring in the upcoming film, Disney’s live-action “The Little Mermaid,” which will hit theaters on May 26. The 22-year-old is set to star as the lead, Princess Ariel.
It was recently revealed that the live-action version of Ariel would soon make her debut at Disney Parks, and now an actual date has been announced.
When Will Live-Action Ariel Debut At Disney Parks?
Disney has recently revealed that the live-action Ariel will debut at the Disney Parks the same day that the live-action “The Little Mermaid” debuts in theaters — on May 26.
Halle Bailey announced Ariel would be coming to Disney Parks a few days ago, saying, “Hi, Disney Parks fans, I’m Halle Bailey. I’m excited to announce that later this summer at Disney Parks, Ariel will venture into the human world where you’ll be able to meet her yourself; so cool!”
She will be making her debut at three different Disney Parks around the world. At Walt Disney Studios Park in Disneyland Paris, Ariel will appear in a “joyful, limited-time celebration,” which will be an interactive “musical moment” and will include the songs “Under the Sea” and “Kiss the Girl.”
Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World, Guests can see a sneak peek of props from the film at the Walt Disney Presents Theater, which will be on display for a limited time. The live-action Ariel will also meet Guests inside the theater.
And in Disneyland Park, Ariel will greet Guests on the promenade near “it’s a small world.”
Backlash Surrounding Halle Bailey and Ariel
Disney fans have voiced frustrations about Bailey being cast as the Disney Princess, even leading to the hashtag #NotMyAriel beginning to trend.
One fan wrote, “I do not care what anyone says, I’m not watching the little mermaid (not even when it becomes available on @DisneyPlus @DisneyStudios you only had one job, and you’ve fu*ked up big time. It wasn’t a singing competition. #NotMyAriel.”
“The live-action should reproduce the anime to the maximum extent to show their respect. Halle is a perfect singer but not a suitable actress for Ariel. Ariel’s skin is white, her hair is red, and her eyes are blue, and these can not be changed.#NotMyAriel,” another fan Tweeted using the #NotMyAriel hashtag.
Halle Bailey has since addressed the backlash, admitting, “As a Black person, you just expect it, and it’s not a shock anymore. When [Chlöe and I] first signed to Parkwood, [Beyoncé] always said,’ I never read my comments. Don’t ever read the comments.’ Honestly, when the teaser came out, I was at the D23 Expo, and I was so happy. I didn’t see any of the negativity.”
She added, “I know people are like:’ It’s not about race.’ But now that I’m her…People don’t understand that there’s another community when you’re Black. It’s so essential for us to see ourselves.”
The upcoming live-action film will star Halle Bailey as Ariel, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Javier Bardem as King Triton, Daveed Diggs as Sebastian, and Jacob Tremblay as Flounder.
Disney’s live-action “The Little Mermaid” hits theaters on May 26, 2023.
