Mykal-Michelle Harris on Giving a Voice to a New Generation of ‘The Little Mermaid’ Fans – Essence

Since its June 27 premiere, it’s change into a phenomenon for young fans. As the voice behind Disney’s latest reimagining of Ariel, Mykal-Michelle Harris couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the subsequent chapter of her underwater adventures.

“It was so much fun to bring this exciting, vibrant, and so full of life character to life,” Harris tells ESSENCE. “The beautiful songs she sings and the funny quips and jokes she makes were amazing to put in my own way. I loved using the words on the page to put my own spin on things.”

This version continues the story of Halle Bailey — black, red, living within the Caribbean — and introduces her as a vibrant 8-12 months-old, still fascinated by human culture, but alongside her best friends Flounder (Gracen Newton), Fernie (Cruz Flateau) and Lucia (Elizabeth Caro), with the loving guidance of her father, King Triton (Taye Diggs), her older twin sisters Alanna (Jessica Mikayla) and Ayanna (Dana Heath), and her beloved aunt, “Tantie” Ursula (Amber Riley).

In each and a series of shorts, Ariel and her friends learn beneficial lessons about friendship, leadership, responsibility, kindness, consequences, and more, with an original, often Caribbean-inspired song in each episode. The vocal and animation work has been within the works for a while, and audience response because the first eight episodes premiered earlier this summer has been overwhelmingly positive—leaving fans clamoring for more.

“It’s so rewarding to see our hard work on screen,” Harris says. “I’ve had so many reports from friends, family and even strangers who have said they love the show and it’s amazing to hear that this show that we’ve worked so hard on and put so much blood, sweat and tears into is turning out to be a show that will last for generations.”

fans can rejoice because more of her adventures are coming this week. Episode 9, “The Happy Patty Clap,” charmingly incorporates a key part of black girl culture—hand-clapping games.

When Ayanna hurts her thumb and might’t compete within the Clap Game along with her twin sister Alanna, Ariel steps in so Alanna can still compete. But when Ariel puts pressure on herself to clap just like the twins, she quickly learns that doing things her own way is okay. Watch the EXCLUSIVE clip below:

“As a child growing up in Philadelphia, I was always outdoors, often playing one of my two favorite activities, Dutch jumping or working on clapping routines,” Lynne Southerland, executive producer of ESSENCE, tells us exclusively. “The memory of coordinating hand movements with a partner while singing nursery rhymes still lights me up.”

“When we were thinking about possible storylines for the series, my thoughts wandered back to those happy memories and I knew I wanted to celebrate this unique activity that is unique to black girls in Ariel’s world.”

For 12-12 months-old Harris, who remains to be on the age where clapping her hands is a regular pastime, incorporating parts of her real life into her role was a delight.

“I love learning clapping games, especially the ones we see on ‘The Happy Patty Clap.’ I’ve learned a lot of clapping games in the past and I can’t wait to learn new ones and for others to learn new ones from the show,” she says. “Learning these games is so much fun because it’s something I play on set to bond with my castmates and even at slumber parties with my friends!”

“Disney Jr.’s Ariel” premieres Friday, August 9 at 9:00 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Jr. and 10:00 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel.