The Little Mermaid star Halle Bailey has spoken out about how she deals with online critics making racist remarks about a Black actress being cast as main character Ariel.
"We've always learned to just keep our heads up no matter the situation," she told Teen Vogue in an interview. No matter what anybody has to say about you... just keep pushing."
In a previous interview with Variety, the actress voiced her excitement at playing the role, and the importance of not engaging with the "negativity" around her casting.
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"I feel like I'm dreaming, and I'm just grateful. I don't pay attention to the negativity. I just feel like this role is something bigger than me," she said. "It's going to be beautiful."
Back in March, it was confirmed that one week before filming was set to begin in London, production had been paused on the remake, due to the coronavirus crisis.
Halle previously confirmed to Entertainment Tonight that the pandemic saw her sent back from production in London to her home in Los Angeles.
However, she said that she's "very excited" to resume production on The Little Mermaid and revealed that the cast will remain the same amid the inevitable schedule changes.
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"I was in London at the beginning of the year about to start filming and of course this pandemic caused everyone to slow down," Halle said. "I actually welcomed it because I was really missing my sister who was here in LA, so I was happy to get back to her and I'm just so very excited for when we start back again."
The remake's cast is rumoured to include Awkwafina, Melissa McCarthy, and Room star Jacob Tremblay.
The Little Mermaid is scheduled for release on November 19, 2021.
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