How Odessa A’Zion Was Nearly Ariel in Live-Action Little Mermaid Movie

Odessa A’Zion made quite an impression in her latest bout in Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme. But if things had gone right, the Grand Army star could have been the star of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, a role that ultimately went to Halle Bailey. A’Zion spoke about this during the Oscars 2026 red carpet.

Odessa A’Zion recalls failing The Little Mermaid audition

Odessa A’Zion, who impressed as Rachel Mizler in Marty Supreme, spoke about the time she fumbled the audition for The Little Mermaid. This was during her appearance at the Oscars 2026 red carpet. Speaking with CNN and Variety, A’Zion revealed that she was very close to making it as a Disney Princess.

She recounted the “embarrassing” experience at the ceremony.

“I sang ‘Part of Your World.’ I was so nervous that I forgot the lyrics to ‘Part of Your World’ while I was singing it,” the 25-year-old said, “And then, because I was doing it in Ariel’s voice — like a princess voice — they’re like, ‘Just do it normal.’ [And] I couldn’t do it normal. I’d memorized it in that voice.”

She continued, “I left like ‘That was the most embarrassing thing on planet Earth,’ and didn’t hear back, didn’t get a call back.”

The role ultimately went to Halle Bailey. Bailey’s performance was widely praised by critics after the film came out. They singled it out as one of the primary good things about the live-action adaptation.

However, it is worth noting that A’Zion’s career did not stall after she failed to make the cut for being in the Disney film. Instead, she ended up on Marty Supreme, which also received immense critical acclaim. For her performance, Odessa A’Zion was nominated for both an Actor Award and a BAFTA Award in supporting categories.

The actress is also set to appear in Mother Courage, which is currently in the filming stage.

Source: Comingsoon.net