Actor Daveed Diggs praised Halle Bailey for her role in âThe Little Mermaid.â
Diggs, 41, spoke exclusively with People about the positive representation of Baileyâs casting for every child.
âI think itâs incredible. Obviously, itâs important for Black and Brown kids and for kids of all ethnicities to get to look up on the screen and feel like the story is theirs, too. Iâm so thrilled about that,â he said.
Diggs, who played Sebastian in the remake, continued to express his support of Bailey.
âIâm also thrilled that it is Halle, of anybody. Sheâs wonderful. This is the only person who should be playing this role,â he added.
In May, Bailey, 23, echoed the same sentiments, telling Ebony about the importance of Children seeing diversity promoted in the Disney classic.
âOh yeah, absolutely. But what I love about today . Somebody told me the other day, â not even going to know the first version ,â she shared with Ebony.
Bailey added, âTheir version of Ariel is you.â
Jodi Benson, who was the voice of Ariel in the 1989 animated Movie, also gave her seal of approval for Baileyâs performance.
âHalle, you were absolutely amazing! Iâm SO proud of you and your beautiful performance as Ariel!â she wrote in her Instagram story, per Entertainment Weekly.
In an interview with The Face, Bailey gave insight into what viewers can expect from the live-action film.
âWhatâs beautiful about this version of âThe Little Mermaidâ is that itâs a lot more modern,â Bailey explained. âWhen we saw it when we were younger, she gave up everything for the guy. But I donât think reflects modern women today.â
Continuing, she said, âSo itâs more about Ariel finding freedom for herself because of this world that sheâs obsessed with.â
