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Halle Bailey is Unbothered by the Hate, Says She 'Feels Really Grateful' for 'Little Mermaid' Casting

WBLS Staff
07/11/2019 12:00 AM EDT

Photo Credit: Robyn Beck/Getty Images

While fans across the country have celebrated actress and singer Halle Bailey’s groundbreaking role as Ariel is Disney’s The Little Mermaid, trolls have simultaneously shared their disappointment with the film house’s casting choice. Friends and family have spoken up on Halle’s behalf via social media, but she made a point to stay quiet – that is, until Keke Palmer chatted with her as guest host for Strahan and Sara on the #EssenceFest red carpet.

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Keke singled out Bailey while standing with standing with her grown-ish cast mates to congratulate her on being “the first Black Ariel,” and asked her how she felt about the feat.

“It’s really, really exciting. I just feel really grateful right now,” said Bailey, who’s also filming for her Freeform TV show. “I’m still really in shock, I just found out a day or two ago…It’s so great.”

Halle also recently uploaded a photo of a Black Ariel to her Instagram account witht the caption, “Dream come true.”

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