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Emeli Sandé: I’d love to be part of the new Little Mermaid film

Emeli Sandé says she would love to have a role in the live action remake of the Little Mermaid.

The star, 32, first learned to sing when watching the original 1989 Disney animation as a child.

The live action reboot will feature US singer Halle Bailey as Ariel. Of starring alongside her, Sandé, right, said: “That would be a dream. Ariel’s already taken so I would probably go on the flip and be the baddie Ursula because she has some really cool songs to sing.”

She praised the casting of Bailey, who is black, saying: “It’s wonderful. I was thinking, ‘God, how would it have been for me as a mixed-race kid watching a woman of colour playing a mermaid?’ It’ll include so many more little girls into this fantasy.”

Hopeful: Sande has her eye on a Little Mermaid role (Tim P. Whitby/Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images)
Hopeful: Sande has her eye on a Little Mermaid role (Tim P. Whitby/Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images)

Earlier this month, Bailey responded to trolls unhappy with her casting after some Twitter users created the hashtag #NotMyAriel.

"I don't pay attention to the negativity. I just feel like this role was something bigger than me, and greater," she said at Variety's Power of Young Hollywood Gala.

"It's going to be beautiful. I'm just so excited to be a part of it."

Positive attitude: Halle Bailey addressed recent trolling (Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)
Positive attitude: Halle Bailey addressed recent trolling (Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)

Ocean's 8 star Awkwafina and Room's Jacob Tremblay have also been confirmed to join the cast of the live action reboot, which will feature a score from original composer Alan Menken and a new song from Menken with lyrics by Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Harry Styles was initially rumoured to be in contention for the role of Prince Eric, but is said to have since turned down the role.

Emeli Sandé plays Manchester Pride Festival on August 24. Her album, Real Life, is out on September 13.

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