Halle Bailey is going under the sea.
The 19-year-old singer, one half of the R&B sister duo Chloe x Halle, has been cast as Ariel in Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid. According to The Hollywood Reporter, director Rob Marshall spent months scouting talent for the titular role, but insiders say Bailey has been a clear front runner from the start.
“After an extensive search, it was abundantly clear that Halle possesses that rare combination of spirit, heart, youth, innocence, and substance — plus a glorious singing voice — all intrinsic qualities necessary to play this iconic role,” Marshall said in a statement.
“dream come true,” tweeted the official Chloe x Halle account, while friends including Zendaya celebrated the casting announcement.
Bailey joins a cast that includes Jacob Tremblay (Flounder) and Awkwafina (Scuttle), while Melissa McCarthy is in talks to play Ursula.
The Little Mermaid will incorporate original songs from the 1989 animated movie, along with new music from original composer Alan Menken and Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, who is also producing the film.
Bailey is a member of the Grammy-nominated duo Chloe x Halle, who is signed to Beyoncé’s Parkwood Entertainment label. She can currently be seen playing Sky Forster alongside her sister Chloe Bailey in Freeform’s “grown-ish.”