Odessa A'zion's Cringe-Worthy 'Little Mermaid' Audition Experience
While Halle Bailey's portrayal of Ariel in Disney's live-action 'The Little Mermaid' received widespread critical acclaim, the behind-the-scenes casting process was filled with dramatic and often humorous stories from numerous hopeful actors. Among them was actress Odessa A'zion, known for her role in 'Marty Supreme', who recently revealed one of the most embarrassing moments of her career during an audition for the iconic film.
The Audition That Went Terribly Wrong
During a candid interview at the 98th Oscars, A'zion opened up to Variety about her audition experiences, particularly focusing on her attempt to land the role of the red-haired mermaid. She described how she prepared to sing 'Part of Your World', one of the film's most beloved songs, but nerves got the better of her in the audition room.
"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," A'zion confessed. "Then they were like, 'Just do it normal.' I couldn't do it normal, I'd memorized it in that voice. I left like, 'That was the most embarrassing thing on planet Earth.'"
The actress concluded that this was one of the most humiliating auditions of her life, adding that she never received any follow-up from the casting team after walking out of the room.
Other Notable Auditions for 'The Little Mermaid'
Odessa A'zion is not the only well-known figure who tried to secure a role in the 2023 live-action adaptation. Singer Lizzo previously shared that she auditioned to play the villainous sea witch Ursula, a role that ultimately went to Melissa McCarthy. Lizzo even posted a video of her audition tape on social media, though it has since been made private.
About 'The Little Mermaid' (2023)
The live-action version of 'The Little Mermaid', released in 2023, is based on the classic animated Disney film. It features Halle Bailey in the lead role of Ariel, alongside a star-studded cast including:
- Melissa McCarthy as Ursula
- Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric
- Javier Bardem as King Triton
- Awkwafina as Scuttle
The film was praised for its visual effects, musical numbers, and Bailey's breakthrough performance, though the casting process revealed many untold stories of near-misses and embarrassing moments from aspiring actors.
