Halle Bailey Shares How Filming 'The Little Mermaid' Helped Her Relate to Ariel: 'I Felt Stripped Bare'

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is a universal one, it became far more personal for Halle Bailey when she began filming the live-action reimagining in 2020.

In an intimate interview for 's May issue, the 23-year-old opens up about how playing Disney's beloved mythical princess helped her embrace change and realize just how much she has in common with her character.An artist that has always seen herself as a musician first, Bailey explains that landing the role of Ariel was an unforeseen «blessing» that began «opening something new» within her.

A formerly homeschooled artist that performed all around the world with her family, the singer shares that she was «always surrounded by people to hold me, to carry me,» so the experience of tackling such a daunting role alone was jarring for her.«I found that a lot of my time in London was that I was feeling the exact way Ariel was feeling in the beginning of the story.

It was my first time away from home… I lived in my parents' home up until two years ago, and so I grew up always having people around, especially my siblings to guide me,» Bailey says, adding that she had gotten used to having her sister and musical partner, Chloë Bailey, «who's like a second mom to me,» always by her side.«She has always been there in my personal life and my career, holding my hand and guiding me through every step of life.