‘I think ultimately it helped my performance:’ Halle Bailey reflects on filming an emotional ‘The Little Mermaid’ scene during the pandemic

Halle Bailey is Ariel in the upcoming retelling of The Little Mermaid, and her experience in bringing one of the most iconic Disney Princesses to life has been emotional and beautiful. In fact, a personal journey Bailey was taking during the time of her transformation helped solidify one of the most critical scenes in Ariel’s story. 

Bailey tells People that filming “Part of Your World” took three days and that the scene required a lot from her physically and emotionally. As she spun around, singing and “swimming” through her undersea paradise, a lot of longing took place — not just for Bailey as Ariel, but for herself in this new space she existed in.

“I was very emotional. I remember I was crying… If you listen to the lyrics, it’s such a desperate plea and cry for help. I was able to convey those emotions of feeling alone and underwater in a way.”

If you’ve never longed for something so much that it almost felt like a piece of you was missing in its absence, you might not understand Bailey’s sentiments; but what she’s saying is entirely accurate. The song is an act of vulnerability, and we won’t lie — there have been times that we’ve listened to this song, singing at the top of our lungs, feeling those same big emotions.

Bailey describes the cry for help and the desperate plea as relatable in not just taking this exciting new job but filming such a life-altering and career-affirming role during the pandemic. She wasn’t just in a new place physically; she was cut off from the life she knew in every sense of being.

“I was grateful that I had that experience of feeling that isolation because I was able to play it through Ariel. I think ultimately it helped my performance.”

Bailey’s performance in the previews we’ve seen so far looks emotionally charged and beautiful, like a glimpse into a real-life fairytale. Finding a fundamental way to relate to Ariel’s journey has certainly given her the edge to transform the experience we’ll soon see to the next level. She may embody Ariel for the sake of The Little Mermaid, but there’s something regal about Bailey and the talent and passion she brings to the screen. 

You can see The Little Mermaid when it swims into theaters on May 26, and you won’t want to miss the chance to be part of Bailey’s world.