Actress and singer Halle Bailey just unlocked a new level in her journey as Ariel in Disney's The Little Mermaid. While we were all excited to see the young star cast in the film's lead role—and all the viral reactions that accompanied the announcement—little Black and Brown girls (and boys) everywhere will now also be able to take a piece of the film home.
Mattel recently unveiled an all-new doll, inspired by Bailey's character. The doll, which has the same brown skin and red locs as the character in the movie, will allow children to take their imaginative play to new heights. The actress took to social media to share her reaction to seeing the Ariel figure for the first time. And well, she was moved to tears.
"I have something exciting to reveal to you all. I am going to cry! This is the new Little Mermaid doll, and I am literally choking up," Halle Bailey said in the Instagram video. "This means so much to me. And to have one that looks like me and my favorite Disney character, is very surreal. She even has my mole!"
Mermaid Ariel, featuring a deluxe aqua and purple color palette, elaborately decorated fin and beautiful red hair, will be available this Spring at retailers nationwide and will be available for pre-order tomorrow, March 7, 2023. The doll will also be featured in an uplifting new Disney100 campaign, The Wonder of Play.
"I'm just stunned. I'm going to take it home and hide it forever," Bailey added while smiling through tears of joy.
