Halle Baileylooked like a princess on the2023 Oscarsred carpet.
While speaking with Laverne Cox on E!’s red carpet pre-show, Bailey said that she “was really excited” about her “beautiful, poofy dress” because of the magical aura it gave off — particularly, allowing her to “go into the fairytale world and give them princess for one day.”
Bailey also excitedly spoke about her work inThe Little Mermaid. Not only did she praiseLin-Manuel MirandaandAlan Menken, calling the two composers collaborating on soundtrack “a wonderful duo,” but she opened up aboutthe songs that will be featuredin the forthcoming remake.
David Fisher/Shutterstock
“I was just really excited to sing the original songs that I loved so much,” said Bailey of the classics that appeared in Disney’s 1989 animated hit. But in addition to the fan-favorites, the latest adaptation features new songs as well.
“The new ones I think people will just embrace and really love and I hope they do,” she added.
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Bailey also teased that viewers can expect a “sneak peek” while watchingthe Oscars. “I can’t wait for people to see a little sneak peek of something tonight!” she said.
“Is the trailer finally coming out tonight? Is that what you’re saying?” she asked, to which Bailey responded: “I don’t know, but I’m here for a reason is all I’ll say.”
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Bailey, who is a presenter at this year’s awards ceremony, is gearing up for a huge year.
The actress and singer, who rose to fame from her pop duo with sisterChlöeunder the mentorship ofBeyoncé, recently just announced she wascast as Nettie in The Color Purpleon top of the live-action remake ofThe Little Mermaidcoming out in May.
Oprah, who is the producer forThe Color Purple, toldVanity Fairthe reason for her casting, saying, “She’s somebody whose presence you can feel in her absence.”
Halle Bailey as Ariel inThe Little Mermaid(2023).Disney
She added, “The memory of her, the feeling of her, the strength of her comes through, even when you’re only hearing her voice from her letters.”
The director ofThe Little Mermaid, Rob Marshall,had similar words of praise for her and her voice, saying she has “a great deal of fire and joy” and that her voice and presence fit the mold of what they were trying to achieve for Ariel.
He added to the reason she was cast, saying, “That voice is something that is so signature and so ethereal and so beautiful that it captures the heart of Eric, and he looks for her for the entire film.”
Bailey says the opportunity to play such an iconic rolehas her feeling “immensely honored.”
“I feelso grateful to have experienced this filmin all of its glory … it has been the toughest experience being away from everything and everyone i’ve ever known, to feeling self doubt/ loneliness, but also feeling such freedom and perseverance as i’ve reached the end,” she wrote on Instagram of her role. “This experience has made me so much stronger than i ever thought i could be.”
The Oscarsair live on ABC on Sunday, March 12, at 8 p.m. ET.
source: people.com
