Halle Bailey Speaks Out on ‘Little Mermaid’ Backlash

Actress Halle Bailey is opening up about the backlash she faced for starring in Disney's "The Little Mermaid." The Halle Bailey Speaks Out on ‘Little Mermaid’ Backlash first appeared on The Blast

Singer and actress Halle Bailey starred in Disney’s 2023 live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid.” Though the movie was well-received by many, Bailey faced backlash from the moment her casting was announced in 2019. Most notably, some traditionalist fans objected to a racebended version of the famed Disney character. Now, years later and ahead of her new movie, “You, Me & Tuscany,” she’s reacting to the harsh comments.

Halle Bailey Details Dealing With Backlash From ‘The Little Mermaid’

Bailey has experienced quite a bit since starring in “The Little Mermaid.” She became a mother in December 2023 and later went through a very public breakup with content creator DDG. Now, in a new interview with The Independent, she’s opening up about dealing with backlash associated with playing the famed Disney character.

She called working on the movie “a beautiful experience for me.” Bailey continued, “And I feel like it taught me to listen to myself and the good voices inside. I learned how to block out the noise. How do I explain it… It was actually freeing to be in the middle of this conversation where so many different opinions were coming in, and they were so opposite from one another…”

The actress continued, “I felt like I was watching myself inside a cup, seeing how people react to it… Growing up in the industry can really develop your sense of self, and for me, it keeps me grounded in a way. I know for some people it’s the opposite, but I just always think to myself, ‘None of this is real.'”

Bailey Also Says The Entertainment Industry Isn’t What Matters In Life

Bailey first began showing her talents to the world in 2011, when she and her sister, Chloe Bailey, launched their YouTube Channel. After that, the sibling duo Chloe X Halle released two studio albums, with the latest being 2020’s critically acclaimed “Ungodly Hour.”

However, Bailey can separate the art from the industry and continued in her interview with The Independent by discussing what the backlash against “The Little Mermaid” taught her: to remain grounded.

She said, “I love feeling small, realizing that the world is so big and beautiful and I’m just a tiny, tiny part of it. The fact I’m here is a blessing, and I’m grateful [to be doing music and acting], but at the same time, this is not what matters in life. What matters is keeping our feet on the ground and holding the people we love.”

Fans Are Offering Mixed Reactions To Bailey’s Comments

Following Bailey’s comments about the “The Little Mermaid” backlash going viral, many social media users reacted. While some offered compassion for Bailey and what she endured while promoting the film, others say the backlash wasn’t about racism, but rather wanting to retain the character’s original identity.

One person who felt for Bailey said, “I hate that she had to deal with such horrible racism. She should not have had to deal with that.”

However, someone else stated, “When you race swap characters, you are going to p-ss off a lot of people. It isn’t racism she is facing, it is people who generally care about the original character and want to see it portrayed by someone who actually looks and acts the part.”

A different X user reacted, “The fact that she was 19 when the internet dogpilled on her like that is crazy.” Lastly, a different social media user remarked, “Halle was the perfect choice to bring a FICTIONAL character who happens to be white, due to an artistic decision, not a storytelling one.”

‘You, Me & Tuscany’ Is A New Romantic Comedy

Bailey had appeared in multiple films since “The Little Mermaid.” They include “The Color Purple” in 2023 and “The Line” in 2024. Now, her latest movie, “You, Me, & Tuscany,” is set to arrive in theaters on April 10, with some theaters offering advanced screenings the day prior.

In addition to Bailey, the movie stars Regé-Jean Page, Marco Calvani, Aziza Scott, and Lorenzo de Moor. The movie centers on Anna (Bailey), a down-on-her-luck chef who falls in love with Michael (Page). According to Deadline, the movie was produced by Will Packer Productions and is distributed by Universal Pictures.

The Singer Also Discussed Beyoncé’s Impact On Her Career

Bailey has been open about being a Beyoncé fan, especially given that she and her sister signed a record deal with the icon’s Parkwood Entertainment. During her interview with The Independent, she opened up about how the “Crazy In Love” singer impacted her career.

She said, “She just let us be. She’s a very genuine human being, a nice, soft voice who will give us advice when we need it.” Bailey also stated that working under Beyoncé’s guidance has “actually been really good for” her and her sister.

Regarding music, she released her debut album, “Love?…or Something Like It” in October 2025 via Columbia/Parkwood.

The Halle Bailey Speaks Out on ‘Little Mermaid’ Backlash first appeared on The Blast