Halle Bailey (born March 27, 2000, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress, best known as one half of the R&B duo Chloe x Halle, alongside her sister Chloe Bailey. She gained widespread recognition for portraying Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid (2023), a live-action remake of the classic 1989 animated film.
Early Life
Halle Bailey is the third child of Doug Bailey, the manager of Chloe x Halle, and Courtney Bailey, a human resources professional. She grew up alongside her three siblings: older sister Chloe, younger brother Branson, and older sister Ski. From a young age, Halle and Chloe were self-taught musicians, learning to play instruments by watching YouTube tutorials. Their father introduced them to songwriting when Halle was eight and Chloe was ten. “The first few songs we wrote were horrible,” Halle recalled in a 2016 Rolling Stone interview. “But as time went on, they turned into something beautiful.”
Halle's acting career began early as well. She appeared in a small role alongside her sister Chloe and actress/singer Queen Latifah in the 2006 romantic comedy-drama Last Holiday. She also had guest roles on Tyler Perry’s sitcom House of Payne (2007) and starred in the 2012 Disney Channel musical movie Let It Shine.
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Encouraged by friends and family, the Bailey sisters launched their YouTube channel, Chloe x Halle, in 2008, gaining traction by performing covers of songs by artists like Christina Aguilera and Alicia Keys. Their breakthrough came in December 2013 when their soulful cover of Beyoncé’s “Pretty Hurts” went viral, eventually catching the attention of Beyoncé herself. In 2015, the sisters were signed to Beyoncé's label, Parkwood Entertainment, and became her protégées under a five-year contract.
Career
Chloe x Halle made a notable appearance in the music video for Beyoncé’s “Freedom” from her 2016 visual album Lemonade. The duo followed up with their debut EP Sugar Symphony in 2016, which received critical praise for blending classical, trap, traditional R&B, neo-soul, and electro elements with a pop sensibility. In 2016, they also opened for Beyoncé during her Formation World Tour in Europe.
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In 2018, Halle and Chloe starred as sisters Skyler and Jazlyn Forster on the comedy series Grown-ish, a spinoff of the hit show Black-ish. That same year, Chloe x Halle released their debut full-length album, The Kids Are Alright, which featured songs like “Grown” (the theme song for Grown-ish) and “Warrior,” which appeared on the soundtrack for the film A Wrinkle in Time. The album earned them Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best Urban Contemporary Album.
In 2020, Chloe x Halle released their sophomore album Ungodly Hour, which earned critical acclaim and a Grammy nomination for Best Progressive R&B Album. The album included the singles “Wonder What She Thinks of Me” and “Do It,” both of which earned Grammy nominations in R&B categories. While The Kids Are Alright was primarily produced by Chloe, Ungodly Hour saw the addition of guest producers like Scott Storch and Jake One, marking an evolution in the duo’s sound.
Halle’s success in music and acting continues to define her as one of the most promising talents of her generation.
In 2021, Halle Bailey made her debut as a solo artist when she performed the iconic Disney song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” during the television special The Most Magical Story on Earth: 50 Years of Walt Disney World. This marked her first solo appearance, showcasing her vocal talent outside of her work with her sister Chloe.
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She later gained international acclaim for her portrayal of Ariel in Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid (2023). The film's soundtrack features both classic songs from the original animated film and new compositions by Lin-Manuel Miranda, including the track “For the First Time,” which Bailey performs. Her acting and singing were widely praised by critics, though the film itself received more mixed reviews.
Looking ahead, Bailey is set to star as Nettie Harris in the upcoming musical film adaptation of Alice Walker’s 1982 novel The Color Purple.