This is a full circle moment for all of us, including Halle Bailey, who found it hard to hold back the happy tears as she showed off the new Little Mermaid doll made in her exact replica. She took to Instagram to share this big news with her friends and fans.
Keep reading for the details.
The beauty posted a short clip to update her 4 million+ Instagram followers about the new Little Mermaid doll which was made just like her, including the locs and that pretty mole.
The style icon delivered the news in a gorgeous hot pink blazer with feather cuffs. She kept her makeup minimal, paired the look with gold hoop earrings, and styled her pretty locs in a tight ponytail.
Bailey continued as she addressed her teeming online fans.
"This is the new Little Mermaid doll!' This means so much to me and to have one that looks like me, that's my favorite Disney character, is very surreal."
She accompanied the post with the caption, "omg 🥹💗the little girl in me is pinching herself right now ..i have my own Little Mermaid Ariel doll !!! I can’t believe how much she captures my version of this iconic character 🥹💕brb gonna go cry now …"
The doll looked incredibly chic in a blue bustier and matching blue mermaid tail. It also had long orange-red tressed and a Halle Bailey's signature mole.
The Do It star joked about stealing the toy and hiding it forever while a background voice added, "And it can be in the water."
The actress is set to star in the movie, featuring Jonah Hauer-King as Principe Eric and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula.
Just like the original, the movie captures Ariel's deal with Ursula to have human legs in exchange for her voice.
During the D23 Expo last September, the vocalist told the audience, "I’m sure all of you in here can relate to Ariel and how special she is to all of us. Being a little girl swimming in the pool, imagining I was a mermaid, I never imagined that would come to life like this."
She spills juicy details about filming Part Of Your World and describes it as the most beautiful experience of her life.
"...feeling all the feelings she feels, her passion, discomfort, everything she’s experiencing."
Bailey revealed that she auditioned for the role in 2019 and wrapped up shooting in 2021. The world saw her embody the character for the first time in a teaser trailer released in September 2022.
While many celebrated Bailey landing the iconic role, including Nicki Minaj, others felt a white actress with red hair would have represented Ariel better.
The actress said her family stuck by her side throughout the heavy criticism, including her grandparents, who spoke about their fair share of discrimination.
Despite the negativity, the actress celebrated representation by sharing videos of young Black girls who watched the trailer in admiration.
The Little Mermaid is directed by Rob Marshall, a Disney household name. He has worked on the film adaptation of Into The Wood and Mary Poppins Returns.
Miranda teamed up with composer Alan Menken to bring pen down amazing songs for the projects. Menken wrote music for the original Little Mermaid Film alongside Howard Ashman.
The film is slated to hit theatres on May 26, 2023.
Javier Bardem, Jacob Tremblay, Daveed Diggs, and Awkwafina all play notable roles in the soon-to-be-released blockbuster.
Bailey said the movie changed her perspective on everything and impacted her life in many ways. She also hopes it influences other young Black girls positively.
Bailey continued, "The fact that now it's getting to be played by me, a person who looks like me, woman of color, I'm just like, wow, I'm so grateful what it will do for all the other little Black and brown boys and girls who will see themselves in me."
