Halle Bailey revealed in a brand new interview with the Los Angeles Times that authentic princess Ariel voice actor Jodie Benson has a cameo look in Disney’s live-action “The Little Mermaid” remake. Benson seems in a scene set on land, so, alas, she’s not again as a mermaid. However, the cameo meant the 2 Ariel actors obtained an opportunity to fulfill on the set of the live-action film. Bailey mentioned she was grateful to have Benson’s blessing.
“She told me how proud she was of me and how I’m handling everything, and encouraged me to just go for it,” Bailey mentioned of Benson. “I appreciate her for being so warm and welcoming to me because she’s the GOAT, and it was important to me to get her stamp of approval.”
Benson took to Instagram final September to name Bailey “absolutely amazing” after the primary footage from the live-action “The Little Mermaid” screened at Disney’s D23 conference. That footage included a primary pay attention of Bailey’s rendition of “Part of Your World,” which Benson made well-known within the 1989 animated film.
“Thank you so much, Jodi Benson,” Bailey wrote again on the time. “This means the world to me coming from you! You made Ariel magical for us.”
Both Ariel actors had been in attendance at “The Little Mermaid” world premiere on May 8 in Hollywood. A video of the two performers hugging on the pink carpet went viral on social media. While some followers thought the carpet was the primary assembly of the Ariel actors, they really met on set throughout manufacturing the place Benson gave Bailey her blessing.
Benson isn’t the one well-known star to offer Bailey phrases of encouragement over taking part in Ariel in “The Little Mermaid.” Beyoncé, who has lengthy been one among Bailey’s mentors after she signed Chloe x Halle to her music label, informed her to lean into her energy on set.
“She’s always been very, very complimentary and proud of me, and that means the world coming from her, somebody that’s been one of my biggest inspirations since I was 3,” Bailey mentioned of Beyoncé. “She just told me to stand in my power and to not give up and to know that I can do this and believe in myself.”
In her interview with the Los Angeles Times, Bailey added that she has “learned so much” about herself as an actor and singer because of taking part in Ariel.
“Going into the film, I was more timid and shy, but like Ariel, I ended up having to come out of my shell,” Bailey mentioned. “I gained so much confidence and courage to speak up for what I need; I came out a different, more mature human being. I really feel like Ariel taught me how to find my voice.”
“The Little Mermaid” opens in theaters nationwide on May 26 from Disney.