To some, Halle Bailey may seem like the “new kid on the block”. However, the up-and-coming singer and actress is widely known in the US for her performance as part of the sibling duo Chloe X Halle. The two are currently signed to their mentor Beyonce’s label, Parkwood Entertainment. She is also widely known for her role as Skyler Forster in the American sitcom Grown-ish. What makes this lead role so significant is that this will be Bailey’s first solo project.
The film will be one of many to join Disneys’s expanding repertoire of live action remakes which include, The Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King; with Mulan and The Little Mermaid to follow over the next two years.
Disney’s increased representation of ethnic diversity on screen comes in the wake of media backlash over the lack of representation in major blockbusters first called attention to online by #OcarsSoWhite, a hashtag that swept across social media in 2015 causing much debate. Bailey’s African American descent has garnered both praise and outrage amongst Disney fans, in favour of Disney Princess Ariel’s physical appearance in the 1989 original. Despite this, many are in favour of Disney’s visible stance on fairer representation on screen.
The two time Grammy nominee stunned thousands with her incredible vocal performance at earlier this year a the 2019 Super Bowl alongside sister Chloe – proudly showing off her capabilities as a natural born performer (and soon to be princess). In response to landing the iconic role, the 19-year-old also tweeted that it was a “dream come true”.
Film shooting is set to commence in 2020
Watch Halle Bailey in action in Grown-ish Below:
