Halle Bailey’s performance as Ariel in ‘The Little Mermaid’ has been highly praised, especially since she kept her natural locs for the role. This month, she graced the big screen without altering her hair, which was a big moment for little Black girls everywhere to embrace their natural beauty.
Halle was thrilled to be part of this groundbreaking movie and insisted on keeping her natural locs to convey a meaningful message to young Black women about the importance of authenticity. In an interview with Ebony, she emphasized how crucial it was for her to retain her hair’s natural state. To bring the character to life, she dyed her locs the iconic red color associated with the original Ariel.
Halle expressed her gratitude towards director Rob Marshall for supporting her decision to keep her locs. Partnering with Academy Award-nominated hairstylist Camille Friend, they aimed to preserve the film’s nostalgic elements.
In her interview, Halle also highlighted the significance of maintaining Ariel’s red hair, stating that she wanted to honor the character while staying true to herself with her locs. Halle proudly declared, “I’m a Black woman and I have locs.” This decision resonated deeply, reinforcing the importance of representation and authenticity in media.