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“Today Is a Hard Day”: ‘Little Mermaid’ Star Shares Vulnerable Video About Filming

Halle Bailey Instagram
Credit: Halle Bailey, Instagram

With $120 million at the box office for the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, praise from critics, and hints at the Oscars, it would seem the film’s star is on top of the world.

But anyone who witnessed the reimagined Ariel, Halle Bailey, persevere through racist attacks, unnecessary criticism, and media backlash would know her journey has gone anything but swimmingly.

halle bailey as ariel and jonah hauer-king as prince eric

Credit: Disney

Related: Break-out ‘Little Mermaid’ Star Blocks Fans Suggesting “She Should Have Played Ariel”

Still, the world watched Bailey rise to each occasion, dressed to the nines at Little Mermaid premieres and humble as ever while meeting miniature mermaid fans nationwide. The only times fans saw cracks in Bailey’s stoic demeanor were moments she shared with her older sister, Chlöe Bailey, offering her words of encouragement through an equally triumphant and tumultuous journey.

Ariel fans have finally seen the new princess in action, with the film floating at the top of the charts over the last few days, but what they haven’t seen is the work behind the scenes to make the magical film a reality.

Halle Bailey Filming

Credit: Halle Bailey, Instagram

On Monday, The Little Mermaid star took to social media to share a raw, behind-the-scenes clip of her filming the movie’s most iconic scene: “Part of Your World.” Not only did Bailey’s rendition of Alan Menken’s classic song bring director Rob Marshall to tears during her audition, but according to her post, it brought her to tears for a different reason.

Bailey Brings Fans Behind the Scenes

Every Disney princess had a struggle of some kind, and even with King Triton as a dad and plenty of thing-a-ma-bobs, Princess Ariel longed for a different life—not to mention an evil sea witch had a vendetta against her.

Although Disney fans have seen the star Halle Bailey shine on and off screen, her vulnerable Instagram video let them in on the not-so-shiny parts of playing Ariel. Bailey stayed true to her roots by maintaining her locs as Ariel. As if defying the ingrained Disney image fans fought to uphold wasn’t enough, Bailey’s hair flip scene took 20 takes—and each was painful.

Part of Your World

Credit: Trend Bursts, Flickr

Related: “You’ve Got to Have Growth”: Original Ariel Defends the New ‘Little Mermaid’

The water weighed down Bailey’s hair, but other emotions sat heavily on her heart. In the video, donning black dots to help with motion detection during filming, Bailey said:

So, today is a hard day. I’ve been filming “Part of Your World” for the past two days now. Today, we’re getting through the rest of it—and it’s hard. And I’m trembling emotionally because it’s such a desperate plea. And I’m sensitive. And the song is hard to sing. It’s hard to do in general.

Not only did Bailey stick to her instincts throughout filming, motivated by the representation she was shepherding for young girls and women of color, but she also nailed the song and was applauded for that scene.

One of the reasons Bailey has become an iconic star is her tenacity and ability to open up to fans in meaningful ways that everyone can relate to on some level. Fans can watch Bailey captivate the screen in The Little Mermaid remake in worldwide theaters now.

About Kaitlin Morelli

A Disney World Guest since before she could walk, Kaitlin is a Jersey girl and former Virginia Tech Hokie. When she's not listening to the 'Moana' soundtrack on repeat with her baby daughter, she's writing, singing, and strumming the ukulele. Kaitlin is passionate about finding the best Disney Park tips n' tricks and moments when pop culture and Disney collide. She's looking forward to eventually taking her first Disney trip with her favorite fan in the making: her daughter.

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