At 14, Halle Bailey was living in Los Angeles with her sister Chlöe Bailey and already living her dream. The pair started a YouTube channel two years ago, and after their 2013 cover of Beyoncé's "Pretty Hurts" went viral, the teenage sisters from Atlanta found themselves with a rare opportunity to make a name for themselves via Flash way to build a real career. - Pan fame.
Soon after, they signed with Beyoncé's management company, Parkwood Entertainment, and hit the road as the opening act for the superstar's Formation world tour. "I remember being so excited to see the world," Halle, now 23, said. "I was homeschooling on the road, so it was a very intense lifestyle, but I loved riding the tour bus. I just remember thinking, 'I'm grateful, this is really cool.'"
As Chloe x Halle, the duo released two studio albums, received five Grammy nominations and continued to tour under Bey's guidance. They also booked their first television roles together, playing Jazz and Skye Foster in the black-ish spinoff Growing Up . Now, the two remain a united front, even as they focus on ambitious solo projects: Chloe's debut solo album , In Pieces, released in March, and Halle's first starring role in a feature film, in the live-action remake of Playing Ariel in "The Little Mermaid" will be released on May 26. She is the second black Disney princess after Tiana in 2009's "The Princess and the Frog ."
This is a future that 14-year-old Bailey could not have imagined. "I don't want to cry right now, but I think she would be proud of me and I think she would be in disbelief that we're playing one of my favorite characters of all time," she said. "If someone told me, 'In five years, you're going to be Ariel,' I'd be like, 'Kid, you're lying. Stop lying.'"
Below, Bailey talks about her first celebrity crush, the advice Beyoncé gave her at age 14, and her love for The Jerry Springer Show .
In 2014, when you were just starting out, how did you feel about the prospect of becoming famous?
My goal is to be able to pursue my love of music and make a living doing what I love, [even if it's] at one of the smallest clubs in Atlanta. As long as I satisfy this need, then I don't have to be famous or anything like that. I think after becoming famous, people think, "Wow, this is fun and really overwhelming," but that's never the goal.
Besides acting and music, what were your hobbies as a 14-year-old?
Play guitar, do yoga. I started making jewelry at that age. I love making jewelry with these crystal beads. I love things that allow me to be alone and have a quiet moment - so making things, whether it's a song or jewelry, allows me to do that and be one with myself.
What shows and movies did you watch?
I love reality TV, always have. I love all the housewives , I love all the divorce courts, paternity courts, Maury , Jerry Springer, all of them. I would definitely watch those as guilty pleasure television.
Did you have a dream role when you were 14?
I've always wanted to incorporate music and singing into my acting because music is my first love and singing is something I love to do, so Broadway is something I thought maybe I'd do one day - who knows, maybe I will still do this in the future.
"Kiss the Girl" is a pivotal moment in The Little Mermaid . How did you feel about love and kissing when you were 14?
I've always been a very romantic person, so I would be on the tour bus imagining, "Oh, what would my first kiss be like?" Because I think my first kiss was when I was about 16 years old. That was the beginning of a lot of daydreaming and feelings of puppy love.
Did it meet your expectations?
Oh yes, absolutely. [ laugh . ]
Who is your biggest celebrity crush?
Oh, I think Bruno Mars was one of my favorites, especially when I was 14. I was hooked on him when he put out "Grenade" and his [ Doo-Wops & ] Hooligans album. I just think he's so...he's still great.
What was your relationship with social media like back then?
I remember getting the first 1,000 views on our video and being like, "Wow, this is awesome." We got 10 comments, and I remember we were reading them for the first time. In the beginning, reviews were very important to us. Then, as you get older, you realize there are going to be a lot of opinions. If you just release into the world what you love and what makes you happy, and feel proud of yourself, that's fine. If people like it, they'll like it. If they don't, that's okay.
What advice did Beyoncé give you when you were pushing through?
While she was getting ready backstage, she would have people record our opening act and then review the show and give us tips and tricks. Just really encouraging us on how to get better and better with every show - that's something my sister and I really enjoy.
What advice would you give to your 14-year-old self?
To have more confidence in myself. You are worthy. You are strong. You can and you will. do not be afraid. I know it’s easy for you to get scared about the future and feel shy, nervous, and overwhelmed about what your life might look like in a few years, but just know that you’re going to be fine and I’m so proud of you.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity .
