Anika Noni Rose, who played Tiana in Disney’s The Princess and the Frog, has spoken out to support Halle Bailey‘s choice as Ariel in the remake of The Little Mermaid. Speaking to ET at the world premiere of the highly anticipated picture, Rose admits the difficulty of playing a Disney princess and explains why Bailey makes for a wonderful choice despite the tremendous scrutiny surrounding the iconic animated film.
“She’s ready; you know what I mean? I think she knows what to do, she knows who she is, she’s very comfortable within herself, she has a kind spirit, and I don’t think that’s going to change,” Rose states.
Princess Tiana herself, @AnikaNoniRose, praises Halle Bailey at #TheLittleMermaid premiere: “She has a kind spirit, and I don’t think that’s gonna change.” pic.twitter.com/2dozs3DjkY
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) May 9, 2023
While most fans expressed joy at the announcement that Bailey would play Ariel, there was also a loud minority who felt that the role should have gone to a white actress. Nonetheless, Bailey took the criticism in stride and carried herself with dignity and poise throughout.
Speaking to Variety, Bailey noted how her grandparents were a significant source of insight since they related stories of the bigotry and discrimination they had experienced. “It was an inspiring and beautiful thing to hear their words of encouragement, telling me, ‘You don’t understand what this is doing for us, for our community, for all the little Black and brown girls who are going to see themselves in you,'” the singer and actress said.
And so, Anika Noni Rose’s words of encouragement and guidance to Halle Bailey are a good reminder that a princess is more than the sum of her pretty parts. Bailey’s casting is a positive move toward more diversity and inclusion in the media, and she is the ideal performer to bring Ariel to life on film thanks to her skill and commitment.
