Halle Bailey’s grace and class while dealing with the intense backlash aimed toward her casting as “The Little Mermaid’s” Ariel was inspiring. We weren’t the only ones who noticed, as fellow Disney Princess Rachel Zegler expressed her admiration for Halle during their Actors on Actors conversation for Variety.
Zegler stars as Snow White in the upcoming live-action adaptation of the classic animated film. As the first Latina actress to take on the role, she’s suffered some of the same criticism as Bailey. The anti-woke crowd also took issue with the “West Side Story” star’s confirmation that the new movie will see Snow White become more of a leader and not a one-note character waiting around for a prince.
Before we get to their empowering conversation, it’s crucial that you know these two are captivating together and the entire video is definitely worth watching. If we don’t see them co-starring in a girl power action movie, what are we even doing here?
During their 40 minute love fest, the two actresses discussed how they deal with all the hate. Halle explained that even if she doesn’t show it publicly, “of course” she feels all the negativity.
“That’s what people don’t realize: We’re granted amazing opportunities and able to be seen on massive screens, but there is a dissociation,” Bailey said. “People start taking you away from being a real human being that has feelings and reacts to things. That was definitely something that I had to navigate.”
As hard as the experience was, it taught the “Angel” singer “to block any naysayers or negativity out.” When you’re a young actress taking on momentous roles, the criticism can be overwhelming and never-ending.
“It’s hard being women under the spotlight,” she said. “People are so critical and say anything that they would never say to your face.”
Zegler noted that as real people with real feelings, they want to respond, but that’s not always the smartest plan of action.
“Choosing thankfulness and gratefulness is choosing peace,” Zegler said. “As much as you’d like to remind people verbally that being in the spotlight doesn’t absolve you of your humanity—that you’re allowed to have human moments—it doesn’t necessarily do what you want it to do. It fuels them more.”
“Stay grateful and ignore the hate,” Bailey added.
Zegler can currently be seen in “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,” with “Snow White” scheduled for release March 21, 2025. Bailey can be seen as Young Nettie in “The Color Purple,” which opens Dec. 25.