The Little Mermaid was arguably one of the biggest movies of 2023 with Halle Bailey dominating in the particular role.

The live-action movie was made to be compared to the animated version that was originally released in 1989.

The live-action version did so well that it pulled in a whopping $569.6 million at the box office.

Does Halle feel connected to the character of Princess Ariel in the slightest? Here’s what you should know.

Halle Bailey‘s connection to princess Ariel in The Little Mermaid.

Halle’s connection to Princess Ariel is a deep one since she made history by being cast as an African-American actress in a role that was expected to be played by a Caucasian.

According to Deadline, she opened up about everything saying, “It means the world to me, especially for the beautiful babies to be able to see a reflection of themselves. I am just honored to be a part of this and be one of the princesses now because for me it was Brandi as Cinderella and then Anika Rose as Princess Tiana. So the fact that I am getting to continue this and live on this legacy is really exciting and I’m just grateful.”

Beyond the cultural side of things, Halle also noted how much she related to Princess Ariel based on the desires of Ariel’s heart.

According to Variety, Halle said, “Her sense of longing, her searching for herself, was something that I could resonate with. She knew where she wanted to go, and she wasn’t going to let anybody stop her.”

As a reminder, Princess Ariel starts the movie as a mermaid who falls in love with a human man named Eric.

Eric happens to be a prince who nearly drowns in the ocean while sailing on a ship.

Ariel risks her life to save him and in the process, she almost risks the exposure of the mermaids species.

Ariel realizes she won’t be fulfilled unless she can pursue a romantic relationship with Eric, so she strikes a deal with an evil sea witch to gain human legs in exchange for her voice.

Obviously, the storyline in The Little Mermaid is far-fetched and fantastical, but the desire of Ariel’s heart to experience true love no matter what the cost is relatable to Halle and tons of young people around the globe.

What do you think of Halle’s connection to Princess Ariel in The Little Mermaid? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.