Halle Bailey Uplifts Black Girls in Debut Solo Single ‘Angel’

After starring as Ariel in Disney’s live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid, Halle Bailey (going by mononym, Halle) gives an uplifting and encouraging message to Black girls in her first solo single produced by Theron ‘NeffU’ Feemster titled, “Angel”. “Black girl here, Black girl with the Black girl hair/ Took a little sunkiss just to look like this/ God-sent you’re an angel” Bailey sings angelically in the chorus.

Halle teased her new single across social media on Monday, July 31 with a short video montage consisting of childhood photos, home videos and recent performances as “Angel” played in the background.

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The representation Halle’s portrayal of Ariel in The Little Mermaid gave to Black girls around the world garnered high praise but for the same reason also received backlash. This experience is what inspired “Angel”. In a statement about the new song Halle says,

“This song for me is so very special and near and dear to my heart. With everything I’ve gone through the past 3–4 years, suddenly finding myself in this bubble of all these eyes and new opinions, it was easy for me to feel doubt in myself and who I was. This song for me was my climb out of those feelings, a mantra and promise to myself that the work I’m doing here on earth matters and that I matter. I wanted to be able to embrace and be proud of myself and who I am naturally through and through. I hope other brown and black girls and everyone in general feel embraced, respected, and inspired hearing the words of this song.”

Although “Angel” is Halle’s formal solo debut this isn’t the first musical achievement apart from her sister Chlöe. Halle’s rendition of “Part of Your World” as well as the original song “For the First Time” on The Little Mermaid soundtrack served as the perfect introduction to Halle as a solo vocalist.