Halle Bailey says she learned to “block out the noise” and found the experience “liberating” amid the online backlash that followed her casting as Ariel in Disney’s 2023 live‑action remake of The Little Mermaid. In a new interview with The Independent, the 26‑year‑old singer‑actress described how she distanced herself from the torrent of online opinions and used the moment to strengthen her sense of self.
Bailey, who rose to fame as one half of the sister duo Chloe x Halle, told the paper she ultimately had “a beautiful experience” playing the titular mermaid despite enduring “online hate over a Black actor being cast as Ariel.” She said the controversy became something she “observed… like an experiment,” allowing her to separate her own feelings from the polarized public reaction. “I learnt how to block out the noise,” she said, adding that the scrutiny taught her to “listen to myself and the good voices inside.”
The actress credited her early exposure to fame with helping her stay grounded. “Growing up in the industry can really develop your sense of self, and for me, it keeps me grounded in a way,” she said. Bailey described watching the response to her casting as if she were “watching myself inside a cup,” and noted that treating the backlash as unreal helped protect her mental space: “I know for some people it’s the opposite but I just always think to myself, ‘None of this is real.’”
Bailey also spoke about the informal support network among young actresses who have faced similar backlash. She singled out Rachel Zegler — who received criticism after being cast as Snow White — as someone who offered solidarity, and said that Zendaya and Ariana Grande reached out to check on her. “As women, I think we form a little protective bubble around each other,” Bailey said. “We all understand what a vulnerable place it is to be… sometimes the opinions of people can muddy your own thoughts. So it's special to have a community who's there to say, ‘You're amazing. We're here for you.’”
The interview arrives as Bailey promotes her new romantic comedy, You, Me & Tuscany, which is due in cinemas this Friday. The role marks another step in the actress’s transition from pop music with Chloe x Halle into a growing film career following the high‑profile Disney production.
Bailey’s comments add to an ongoing conversation in entertainment about race, representation and the intense online scrutiny faced by young performers. By framing the experience as a lesson in self‑preservation and a moment of solidarity with peers, she presents the backlash as a challenge she has worked to outgrow while continuing to pursue new projects.