Odessa A’zion Reveals Embarrassing ‘Little Mermaid’ Audition

“Marty Supreme” star Odessa A’zion recounted a particularly mortifying audition experience: her attempt to land the role of Ariel in Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid. A’zion shared the story on the red carpet of the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 16, 2026, according to Entertainment Weekly.

A Floundering Performance

A’zion explained that she forgot the lyrics to “Part of Your World” while singing it during her audition. She had prepared the song in a “princess voice,” but when asked to perform it normally, she found herself unable to switch gears. “I was so nervous that I forgot the lyrics to ‘Part of Your World’ while I was singing it,” she said. “And then, because I was doing it in Ariel’s voice—like a princess voice—they’re like, ‘Just do it normal.’ I couldn’t do it normal. I’d memorized it in that voice.”

The audition proved to be a significant setback. “I left like ‘That was the most embarrassing thing on planet Earth,’ and didn’t hear back, didn’t get a call back,” A’zion admitted.

Halle Bailey Cast as Ariel

Disney ultimately cast Halle Bailey as Ariel in the live-action adaptation, directed by Rob Marshall. Marshall stated that Bailey possessed “that rare combination of spirit, heart, youth, innocence, and substance — plus a glorious singing voice” CBR reports. The film, released in May 2023, earned $560 million at the global box office and received positive reviews, with critics praising Bailey’s performance.

A’zion’s Rise to Stardom

While A’zion didn’t land the role of Ariel, her career has flourished since the audition. The daughter of actresses Pamela Adlon and director Felix Adlon, she gained recognition for her role in the HBO comedy I Love LA and has received acclaim for her performance as Rachel Mizler in “Marty Supreme,” earning an Outstanding Female Actor in a Supporting Role nomination at the Actor Awards.