Halle Bailey is a name that you might have heard a lot lately, and for good reasons. She is one half of the Grammy-nominated R&B duo Chloe x Halle, along with her sister Chloe Bailey. She is also the star of Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, playing the iconic role of Ariel. She is also a part of the cast of the musical film The Color Purple, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at Halle Bailey’s biography, career, and achievements.
Early Life and Music Career
Halle Bailey was born on March 27, 2000, in Atlanta, Georgia. She grew up in a musical family, with her father Doug Bailey being their manager and co-songwriter, and her mother Courtney Bailey working as a human resources management professional.
She has two older sisters, Ski and Chloe, and a younger brother, Branson. Halle and Chloe started singing and playing instruments at a young age, learning from YouTube tutorials and their father. They began writing their own songs when they were 8 and 10 years old, respectively.
Halle and Chloe launched their YouTube channel, Chloe x Halle, in 2008, and started posting covers of popular songs by artists like Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, and Christina Aguilera. Their breakthrough came in 2013, when their cover of Beyoncé’s “Pretty Hurts” went viral and caught the attention of Beyoncé herself.
In 2015, Beyoncé signed them to her label, Parkwood Entertainment, making them her musical protégées. They released their debut EP, Sugar Symphony, in 2016, and their debut album, The Kids Are Alright, in 2018. The album earned them two Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best Urban Contemporary Album. They also performed at the Super Bowl LIII pre-show and opened for Beyoncé and Jay-Z on their On the Run II Tour.
In 2020, they released their second album, Ungodly Hour, which received critical acclaim and three more Grammy nominations for Best Progressive R&B Album, Best R&B Song for “Do It”, and Best Traditional R&B Performance for “Wonder What She Thinks of Me”. The album showcased their growth as artists, with more mature and confident themes and sounds. In 2023, Halle released her debut solo single, “Angel”, which was also nominated for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song. The song was a tribute to her daughter, Harmony, whom she welcomed in 2022 with her partner, rapper DDG.
Acting Career and The Little Mermaid
Halle Bailey also pursued an acting career, starting from a young age. She appeared in minor roles in films like Last Holiday (2006) and Let It Shine (2012), and in TV shows like House of Payne (2007) and Austin & Ally (2013). She and Chloe also starred in the sitcom Grown-ish (2018-2022), playing the roles of twin sisters and college students Jazz and Sky Forster.
Halle’s biggest acting role came in 2023, when she played the lead role of Ariel in Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, directed by Rob Marshall. She was the first Black actress to play the role, which sparked some controversy and backlash from some fans of the original animated film.
However, Halle received support from many celebrities and fans, including the original voice of Ariel, Jodi Benson, who said that “the most important thing is to tell the story”. Halle also received praise from critics and audiences for her performance, which showcased her vocal and acting talents. She also sang several songs for the film’s soundtrack, including the classic “Part of Your World” and a new original song, “In the Waves”.
Halle also appeared in another musical film in 2023, The Color Purple, based on the Broadway musical of the same name, which was in turn based on the novel by Alice Walker. She played the role of Squeak, a singer and waitress who joins the main character, Celie, on her journey of self-discovery and empowerment. The film also starred Jennifer Hudson, Cynthia Erivo, and Kelvin Harrison Jr., and was produced by Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg.
Future Projects and Net Worth
Halle Bailey is not slowing down anytime soon, as she has several projects lined up for the future. She and Chloe are working on their third album as Chloe x Halle, which is expected to be released in 2024. She is also set to star in the biopic of singer and activist Nina Simone, which will be directed by Liesl Tommy and written by Gregory Allen Howard. She is also rumored to be in talks to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, possibly as the superhero Riri Williams, also known as Ironheart.
Halle Bailey has an estimated net worth of $3 million, as of 2024. She earns most of her income from her music and acting career, as well as from endorsements and sponsorships. She is also involved in several philanthropic causes, such as supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, the NAACP, and the United Nations Foundation.
What Movies Has Halle Bailey Starred In?
Halle Bailey is a singer and actress who has starred in several movies, such as:
The Little Mermaid (2023): A live-action remake of the classic Disney animated film, in which Halle plays the lead role of Ariel, a mermaid who dreams of becoming human and falls in love with a prince.
The Color Purple (2023): A musical adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, in which Halle plays the role of Squeak, a singer and waitress who joins the main character, Celie, on her journey of self-discovery and empowerment.
Last Holiday (2006): A comedy film starring Queen Latifah, in which Halle plays the role of Tina, a young girl who is part of a choir that performs at a hotel in Europe.
Let It Shine (2012): A musical film inspired by the story of Cyrano de Bergerac, in which Halle plays the role of a choir member who sings with the main character, Cyrus, a talented rapper who writes songs for his crush.
These are some of the movies that Halle Bailey has starred in, but she also has other projects in the works, such as a biopic of Nina Simone and a possible role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Halle Bailey is a rising star of music and movies, and we can’t wait to see what she does next.
What Are Some Of Halle's Favorite Songs?
Halle Bailey is a talented singer who has performed and written many songs, both as a solo artist and as part of the duo Chloe x Halle. Some of her favorite songs are:
“For the First Time”: This is a new original song that Halle sang for the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, in which she played the role of Ariel. The song was written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and expresses Ariel’s curiosity and wonder about the human world.
“Part of Your World”: This is another song from The Little Mermaid, which is a classic and iconic song for the character of Ariel. Halle said that this was her favorite song to perform for the film, and that she felt honored to sing it.
“Angel”: This is Halle’s debut solo single, which she released in 2020. The song was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song. The song is a tribute to her daughter, Harmony, whom she welcomed in 2022 with her partner, rapper DDG.
“Do It”: This is a song by Chloe x Halle, from their second album, Ungodly Hour. The song was a hit and received a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Song. The song is a catchy and confident anthem about having fun and living your best life.
Has Halle Bailey Won Any Awards For Her Acting?
Halle Bailey is a singer and actress who has won several awards for her music, but she has also received some recognition for her acting. She was nominated for the Black Reel Award for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance and the Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor for her role as Ariel in The Little Mermaid. She also won the Glamour Women of the Year Award for Gen Z Gamechanger in 2023, along with her sister Chloe Bailey. Halle Bailey is a rising star of music and movies, and we can expect her to win more awards in the future.
Controversy And Activism Of Halle Bailey
Halle Bailey is a singer and actress who has faced some controversy and backlash for her role as Ariel in Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid. Some fans of the original animated film criticized the casting of a Black actress for the role, which they claimed was historically inaccurate and disrespectful to the source material.
However, Halle also received support and praise from many celebrities and fans, including the original voice of Ariel, Jodi Benson, who said that “the most important thing is to tell the story”. Halle also shared videos of young Black girls who were inspired and excited by seeing her as Ariel.
Halle Bailey is also an activist who supports various causes, such as the Black Lives Matter movement, the NAACP, and the United Nations Foundation. She and her sister Chloe have participated in several events and campaigns to raise awareness and funds for these organizations.
For example, they performed at the Global Citizen Festival in 2019, which aimed to end extreme poverty and fight climate change. They also joined the #SayHerName campaign, which honors Black women who have been killed by police brutality and racial violence. Halle Bailey is a rising star of music and movies, who also uses her platform to advocate for social justice and equality.
Conclusion
Halle Bailey is a rising star of music and movies, who has proven her versatility and talent in various genres and mediums. She is a role model for young girls and women, especially for those of color, who aspire to follow their dreams and express their creativity. She is also a loving mother, sister, daughter, and partner, who balances her personal and professional life with grace and joy. Halle Bailey is a name that we will hear more of in the years to come, and we can’t wait to see what she does next.
