“We saw everybody and every ethnicity.”

Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney's live-action THE LITTLE MERMAID. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Halle Bailey portrays Ariel in Disney’s live action THE LITTLE MARILANDIAN. Photo courtesy Disney. © 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Disney Halle Bailey plays Ariel The Little Mermaid (2023)

The Little Mermaid Rob Marshall, director of the production, says they were looking for someone who can exude joy and fire when casting. Halle Bailey Ariel.

“We simply wanted the best actor for this role. Marshall, 62, said the end. Entertainment Weekly Bailey, 22 years old, stressed that there was no agenda in casting Bailey. “We saw everyone and every ethnicity.”

Marshall explained that the casting goal was to find the right person to play the iconic Disney princess.

The director said that Eric is drawn to Eric’s voice because it is distinctive, ethereal, and beautiful. He also mentioned the importance of casting a singer of high quality for the role of lead.

Marshall also mentioned that he didn’t anticipate the positive reactions to the film after seeing Ariel played by a Black actor at the Disney premiere a teaser trailer September

The director said that he didn’t anticipate that, but that he felt that we had moved beyond that type of thing. EW The notable onscreen representation. “But then you realize, we haven’t. It was very touching to me to see the importance of this type of casting for the world.

RELATED: Jodi Benson, Voice of Ariel in Little Mermaid, Praises Halle Bailey’s ‘Amazing’ Performance

D23 EXPO 2022 - The Ultimate Disney Fan Event presented by VISA - brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event, which takes place September 9, 10, and 11 at the Anaheim Convention Center, provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, series, games, theme parks, collectibles, and celebrities. (The Walt Disney Company via Getty Images) Halle Bailey

D23 EXPO 2022 is the Ultimate Disney Fan Event presented By VISA. It brings together all of Disney’s worlds under one roof for three days of presentations and pavilions, experiences as well as concerts, sneak peeks and shopping. This event will take place at the Anaheim Convention Center on September 9, 10 and 11. It gives fans unprecedented access to Disney series, games and theme parks as well as collectibles and celebrities. Halle Bailey (The Walt Disney Company via Getty Images).

The Walt Disney Company via Getty

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter Keep up-to-date with the latest PEOPLE news, including juicy celebrity news and compelling human interest stories.

Bailey spoke to PEOPLE about September at the D23 Expo. how playing Ariel changed her. She said, “I would definitely say that I was a lot more coming into this movie, I think, just a little more young-minded, and a bit less sure of myself so much.” “In more ways than one, the whole experience of filming mirrored Ariel’s journey of discovering herself and her voice.”

Bailey said that Bailey sobbed at the end of filming Ariel’s movie.

She said, “This story has done so many things for me and the filming has really changed my life.” “I would definitely say that it mirrors what Ariel experiences in the film.”

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 09: Halle Bailey poses at the IMDb Official Portrait Studio during D23 2022 at Anaheim Convention Center on September 09, 2022 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Corey Nickols/Getty Images for IMDb)

ANAHEIM (CALIFORNIA – SEPBER 09) Halle Bailey poses at IMDb Official Portrait Studio during the D23 2022 at Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California on September 9, 2022. (Photo by Corey Nickols/Getty Images IMDb

Corey Nickols/Getty Images IMDb

RELATED: Everything to Know About Disney’s Live-Action The Little Mermaid

The actress said that the film had “changed my outlook on everything” as well as “impacted my entire life in so many different ways.” She hopes that the young audience will be as impressed by the new representation of the story she has brought to it.

Bailey said, “The simple fact that it’s being played now by me, a person looking like me, woman who is of color, I am just like, wow. I’m so thankful what it will do all the other little Black and Brown boys and girls who will see me in them,” “Because if I had known myself when I was younger, it would have been me I see now,” said Bailey. whole perspective would’ve changed.”

The Little Mermaid This film is currently in theaters on May 26.

Previous post Ear Seeds for Kids—Everything Parents Need to Know
Next post Camber Energy, Inc. Camber Energy, Inc. Announces the Effectiveness of One for 50 Reverse Stock Split