Halle Bailey, the talented actress and singer, has recently made a significant breakthrough in her acting career with her portrayal of Ariel in Disney’s highly anticipated live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid.” The announcement of her casting generated much discussion, and now that the film is in production, Halle’s performance has garnered widespread acclaim.
Among the many voices expressing admiration for her work is tennis legend Serena Williams, who reached out to Halle through Instagram to share her praise. However, Halle’s excitement got the better of her when she accidentally stumbled upon Serena Williams’ message in her DMs, adding a delightful twist to her journey.
In Instagram’s new series ‘Seen,’ #TheLittleMermaid star @HalleBailey shares the story of how she bonded with @SerenaWilliams pic.twitter.com/LWu3PBKM8Y
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) May 22, 2023
Stepping into the iconic role of Ariel, the beloved mermaid princess, was a momentous undertaking for Halle Bailey. With her enchanting voice and acting prowess, Halle embraced the challenge and brought a fresh interpretation to the character. As production for “The Little Mermaid” progressed, early glimpses of Halle’s performance began to emerge, captivating audiences and building anticipation for the film’s release.
What did Serena Williams say to Halle Bailey?
In the midst of Halle Bailey’s rising acclaim, one particularly notable voice chimed in to express admiration for her work, tennis superstar Serena Williams. The 23-time Grand Slam champion, known for her prowess on the tennis court, took to Instagram to reach out to Halle personally. Serena’s heartfelt message to the young actress highlighted the impact of Halle’s performance and the profound connection it had with viewers.
As Halle perused her Instagram DMs, a delightful surprise awaited her. Among the sea of notifications, she stumbled upon Serena Williams’ message of praise. In a moment of genuine excitement, Halle couldn’t contain her joy at receiving validation from a revered figure like Serena. The accidental discovery added an element of serendipity to her journey, further affirming the impact of her work as Ariel.
“I remember going to my DMs and seeing it and just freaking out and I didn’t know what to say,” Bailey said. “The first DM that Serena Williams sent me, she sent a really nice message something along the lines of, “I’m really proud of you keep going.” My sister and I look up to her and her sister [Venus Williams] so much so I was dying at the interaction.”
Though happy and excited at the same time, she could not think of anything to write her. Writing to her, she expressed her delight and thanked Serena for the wonderful compliments that she gave. Not only this, she also complimented Serena’s family and told her that she has a beautiful family.
When you’re @HalleBailey and @serenawilliams casually slides into your DMs❣️❣️❣️
“I was dying at the interaction.” pic.twitter.com/8plCdyUsjp
— Instagram (@instagram) May 22, 2023
“I think I ended up thanking her and telling her how beautiful her family is and how Olympia, her daughter, is so special,” Bailey said. “She gave me her number and I’ve been too scared to text her because I’m like ‘what that’s Serena Williams.’ I actually just saw her at the Met and she was so kind. I met her husband [Alexis Ohanian] and I’m just so happy for her.”
Halle Bailey’s portrayal of Ariel in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” has solidified her status as a rising star in the entertainment industry. Her exceptional performance has garnered widespread acclaim, captivating audiences and receiving praise from notable figures like Serena Williams.
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