Halle Bailey Reflects on Her Little Mermaid Experience as Filming Wraps: "I'm So Grateful"

Halle Bailey is ready to take us under the sea with her feature-film debut! Back in 2019, it was announced that the 21-year-old singer and actress would be taking on the iconic role of Ariel in Disney's live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, and in June, we finally got a first look at Bailey on set. Sporting Ariel's signature mermaid tail, Bailey was spotted beachside in Sardinia, Italy, alongside Jonah Hauer-King, who is set to play Prince Eric. The duo were also spotted filming what appeared to be the iconic "Kiss the Girl" scene from the movie. To make matters more exciting, Bailey is making history as the first Black actress to play Ariel.

On July 12, Bailey marked the end of filming with a gorgeous sunset photo of herself in the ocean. "after auditioning for this film when i was 18 just about to turn 19, to now finishing filming through a pandemic when i turned 21 ..we have finally made it," she wrote on Instagram. "i feel so grateful to have experienced this film in 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."

Bailey noted that the experience made her stronger than she ever thought she could be and then went on to shout out her costars. "I'm so grateful to have such lovely and talented people in the cast like @jonahhauerking that will be my friend for infinite lifetimes, @jacobtremblay who i'm so proud of 🥺and legends like @bardemantarctic @melissamccarthy @awkwafina @daveeddiggs who are masters of their craft but are so welcoming and open to little old me..as well as to the rest of the beautiful cast and crew," she wrote. "i cannot wait for time to speed up so you all can watch this film because it was made with so much love (plus blood sweat and tears) lol thank you sardinia for a wonderful ending!!! xoxo."

Disney's live-action remake of the 1989 classic is directed by Mary Poppins Returns's Rob Marshall and will feature the music stylings of Lin-Manuel Miranda and original composer Alan Menken. Also joining the cast are Melissa McCarthy, Awkwafina, Jacob Tremblay, Javier Bardem, Daveed Diggs, and Noma Dumezweni.