Huge News for ‘Little Mermaid’ Fans: This Star Will Voice Princess Ariel

Princess Ariel has been a fan-favorite for decades now. Since the release of The Little Mermaid in 1989, produced by the Walt Disney Company’s production house, the red-headed princess has won the heart of millions all over the world. Based on the Danish fairy tale of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen, most recently, the movie has been in the news for its live-action remake. The remake has been embroiled in controversy because of Disney’s casting choice of Black actress Halle Bailey in the role of Princess Ariel, with many claiming Disney was pandering to “woke” sensibilities.

However, there has been another piece of news relating to The Little Mermaid: the talented, young 14-year-old Sara James will be voicing Princess Ariel for the Polish dub of the live-action film.

James shared on her Instagram, “Some of you have already figured out that I am singing as Ariel in the Polish language version of The Little Mermaid, I still can’t believe that I gave my voice to the main character and also performed these wonderful songs in a @disney_polska film. It is my dubbing debut! This amazing adventure required me [to have] a new approach to working with my voice.”

Sara James was a finalist on the reality talent show America’s Got Talent for season 17, and she wowed audiences with her renditions of “Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush and “Lovely” by Billie Eilish. It’s certainly no surprise now that the young soon-to-be voice actor will have the chance to play the iconic Disney princess in this upcoming feature.

The movie, The Little Mermaid is set for theatrical release on May 26, 2023. Along with Hailey, features Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Awkwafina as Scuttle, Daveed Diggs as Sebastian, and Melissa McCarthy as the evil sea-witch Ursula. Javier Bardem is King Triton, and the movie features new music from Lin-Manuel Miranda with composer Alan Menken back, as well.

You can check out more about this story and Sara James on NBC!