Halle Bailey, eponymously known as Halle, has shared a stunning updated version of “Part of Your World” for Disney’s live-action reimagination The Little Mermaid, in which she stars as Ariel.
Alan Menken and Mike Higham produced the track. The former Oscar winner helmed the original version, recorded by Jodi Benson, who voiced Ariel in the 1989 animated classic.
Halle is careful not to overshadow the warm sentiment of the lyrics with her rousing voice, undeniably delivering the film’s effervescent signature with a sharp pop sense.
Halle’s “Part of Your World” version will appear on The Little Mermaid (2023 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), which arrives May 19 via Walt Disney Records. Two reprised edits of the track, for which Halle does, will be featured throughout the soundtrack.
The Little Mermaid (2023 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), which will include music from Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman, as well as new lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, will be available for streaming, as well as on vinyl and CD.
In an interview with Zane Lowe of Apple Music, Halle explained why “Part of Your World” holds a place in her heart.
“Ever since I was a little girl, this movie, in general, has meant so much to a lot of us, but this song has really stuck with me since I was small. Every time I hear Jodi Benson sing it, the nostalgia that I get is just amazing and it fills me up with so much joy,” said Halle.
Halle also shared how she made the song her own. “I took inspiration from the original, really based off of the amazing base that we had of the original already. Jodi Benson is an iconic singer and she’s just such a lovely person inside and out as well,” she said. “So when you are redoing a song that’s already great, you have to really try your best to honor the original, as well as not be afraid to make it your own. So that’s truly what I tried to do.”
As mentioned above, Halle appears as Ariel in the photorealistic remake of The Little Mermaid, which hits theaters nationwide on May 26. Rob Marshall directed the film, which co-stars Jonah Hauer-King, Daveed Diggs, Javier Bardem, Melissa McCarthy and more.
Halle was first announced as the lead in The Little Mermaid in July 2019.
“After an extensive search, it was abundantly clear that Halle possesses that rare combination of spirit, heart, youth, innocence, and substance — plus a glorious singing voice — all intrinsic qualities necessary to play this iconic role,” said Marshall in a press statement.
Later this year, Halle will star as Nettie, the younger sister of Celie (Fantasia), in The Color Purple musical film. The movie premieres on Christmas Day.
“You have to have a kind of presence that holds the space during the most of the movie when Nettie is gone and you only remember her through the letters,” said Oprah Winfrey of Halle’s supporting role.
Listen to Halle’s rendition of “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid below.
The Little Mermaid (2023 Original Music Soundtrack) is available for pre-save/pre-add now.