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Halle Bailey is looking captivating while covering yet another publication, and we want to be “part of her world.”
The songstress-turned-Ariel actress is on the cover of EBONY magazine and detailing how she found her voice, just like the famed mermaid she’s portraying in Disney’s forthcoming film.
The 23-year-old told writer Kayla Greaves that her confidence has catapulted as she rose “from child star to Hollywood sensation.”
“… my sister and I were nominated for Grammys. We sang “Where Is the Love,” by Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack, and that was actually the performance that got me noticed by Little Mermaid director Rob Marshall. It was confirmation for me that my own abilities and belief in myself [is enough].”
She also expressed that she always received outside encouragement but did not hold the belief within herself.
“It was always other people telling me, ‘You can do it, you can do it.’ But recently, especially after I finished filming, I finally felt that within myself. I believed in myself for the first time.”
Source: Keith Major @KeithMajor / Ebony Magazine
See more excerpts from her EBONY cover story below.
On how she deals with low moments and false social media commentary about her life.
“I think sometimes when you’re in the public eye from such a young age, people forget that you’re human. They forget that comments about your life can hurt your feelings. But I have to shift my focus off of other people’s opinions—and the naysayers, and the noise—and just silence it. I realized that when I step away from that, I feel 100% better about myself.
It’s been a really big, beautiful lesson for me in terms of patience. I have had to learn how to control myself, and to control my tongue. As a human, when you see people say these things about you, immediately you want to defend yourself. But I’ve just had to realize that it doesn’t matter. This position that I’m in, this movie, this role, is way bigger than me. The impact it’s going to have on future generations and our generation now is just so important. It’s making a lot of people proud. That overshadows all of the negativity that might be out there.”
On if she needed Black Ariel as a child and the importance of the newly imagined character having natural hair like hers.
“Oh yeah, absolutely. But what I love about today [is that it’s normalized]. Somebody told me the other day, “[This generation of kids are] not even going to know the first version [of The Little Mermaid]. Their version of Ariel is you.”
I also love that there’s so much Black diversity on-screen now. There was a time when we’d barely see locs—and now we have a Disney princess with them, which has never happened before.
On her role as Nettie in the latest evolution of The Color Purple — a film that she holds dear to her heart.
“I am so excited to be playing young Nettie in The Color Purple. This film has meant a lot to me for a very long time—it’s a Black family staple. I also got a chance to write an original song for the film. It’s been really cool to incorporate my artistry into this new world of acting. I’m just so grateful to be a part of the film, and to be on set with legends and people I’m such fans of, like Fantasia and Taraji P. Henson. I cannot wait for people to see it. I think they’ll love it.”
On the impact The Little Mermaid will have on her career once the film is released.
“[Laughs] It’s funny, because my sister will tell you that out of [everyone in] my family, I’ve always been very shy and a bit more awkward. Being on my own and having all of these eyes on me for this movie has really been an interesting experience. It’s been exciting, and I am grateful for the praise that I do get. But at the same time, it’s also just a weird thing [to be experiencing]. There are moments when I realize what’s going on; I think I’m still learning how to digest it all. But I try not to let any of this get to me, because none of it really matters. At the end of the day, what matters is that you lead with love and a good heart. So that’s what I’m trying to do.”
Source: Keith Major @KeithMajor / Ebony Magazine
Halle is Hollywood’s new darling and fans can’t wait to dive into the magic of The Little Mermaid, premiering May 26.
See more of Halle Bailey for EBONY here.
STORY BY @kaylaagreaves
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & SVP, PROGRAMMING @mariellebobo
CREATIVE DIRECTOR @inrashidasworld
PHOTO DIRECTOR/PHOTOGRAPHER @keithmajor
ASSOC. CREATIVE DIRECTOR/HEAD OF VIDEO @stevenlondon
VIDEO BY @megamedia
STYLIST @nickyygood
HAIR STYLIST @sparkyourhair
MAKEUP ARTIST @beautybychrisc
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER @traceysees
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