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Its a rainy afternoon in Beverly Hills, and Halle Bailey is coziness personified.
Supriya Leledress. Lorraine Westearrings and bracelets. Alexander Mcqueenear cuff and ring. Alexis Bittarbracelets. Jennifer Fisherring.
Upon hearing that Ive never seen one of her favorite shows, she audibly gasps.
Some of [their] partners buy houses for them and go all out and truly fall in love.
You have to watch it.
Marc Jacobsdress and shoes. Alexis Bittarearrings. Jennifer Fisherrings
Marc Jacobsdress and shoes.
And then there were the Academy Awards.
The Oscars were amazing, Bailey says.
Givenchyjacket and pants. Guccibra. Home by Areeaylnecklace. Alevì Milanoshoes.
It took a minute for it to sink in that she was being sought for the lead.
A trip to New York to meet Marshall and producer John DeLuca followed.
Then the waiting began.
Givenchyjacket and pants. Guccibra. Home by Areeaylnecklace. Alevì Milanoshoes.
I didnt hear anything for a whilea few months actually, she says.
I was like, Okay, well, I guess I didnt get it.I forgot about it completely.
I was like, Is this real life?
Supriya Leledress. Lorraine Westearrings and bracelets. Alexander McQueenear cuff and ring. Alexis Bittarbracelets. Jennifer Fisherring.
Then, she says, I was catapulted into this new world.
By 2021 the sisters had released two albums and earned four Grammy nominations.
She told Chloe she didnt think she could do it, and her sister scoffed at the self-doubt.
LaQuan Smithdress. Alexis Bittarearrings. Brother Velliesshoes.
Bailey recalls her saying, You must, you have to, and you have to fly.
This is your moment.
Videos ofyoung Black girls gleefully reacting to an Arielthey identified with flooded the internet.
When I saw those for the first time, I just cried, Bailey says.
I was sobbing uncontrollably.
The representation means a lot to Bailey too.
Miu Miujacket, top, bra, shorts, and skirt. Alexis Bittarearrings and bracelets. Lorraine Westnecklace. Pebble Londonbracelet.
I know how much of that movie changed my whole perspective on life, she says.
Wow, this is possible.
Black princesses are possible.
Hassidrissjacket. Lorraine Westearrings. Alexander McQueenearringsandring. Alexis Bittarbangles. Jennifer Fisherring. Jimmy Chooshoes.
We deserve to take up these spaces too.
Beautywise, the famous mermaid now has locs.
Theyre both women of color, so I felt very comfortable, Bailey says.
Guccisuit, lingerie, and necklace.By Farshoes.
They know how to take care of me and my hair and makeup.
Ive been on sets before where thats not the case.
Filming took place in London over the course of six months amid the COVID pandemic and the UK shutdown.
Guccisuit, lingerie, and necklace.By Farshoes.
And along the way she built meaningful relationships with her costars.
Newcomer Hauer-King, Bailey says, will be one of my best friends forever.
In McCarthy she found a blueprint.
When I watched her go on set, she was like, This is what I want.
The pressure Bailey had already started to feel about her next project, she says, began to wane.
The movies musical element was a perfect fit, and the cast was particularly exciting for her.
Sergio Hudsondress. Alexis Bittarearrings. Stephen Dweckbracelet. Jennifer Fisherrings.
Im working with legends who Im such fans of, like Fantasia and Taraji P. Henson, she says.
I think people will be really proud of the new version.
I honestly dont care, she says.
Im so proud of my sister for always moving confidently and being herself.
I appreciate that as I venture into adulthood, Im able to make my own decisions.
And when it comes to the details of her personal life, one of those decisions is discretion.
For my peace and my sanity, I have to keep that private.
People sometimes put you on this pedestal.
They forget that youre a real human being.
They forget that you have feelings, that you cry.
She often finds reprieve in simple pleasures.
I love hiking, I love hot yoga, I love playing my guitar, I love making jewelry.
She finds peace in the kitchen.
I ask if she ever craves the relative normalcy of life outside the Hollywood bubble.
What am I doing to give it back to God?
What am I doing actively to be a better person every single day?
I’ve never done anything like this before, she says of stepping outside her comfort zone.
Did I really do that?
I get really emotional when I think about it and when I see the reactions.
It’s just lovely.
