Why Did Harry Styles Turn Down ‘The Little Mermaid’? We Finally Have Answers

We were puzzled by the fact that Harry Styles turned down the role of Prince Eric in the upcoming live-action remake of The Little Mermaid…until now.

The 25-year-old singer recently sat down for an interview with The Face magazine and opened up about what happened. While he previously “discussed” the role with Disney, Styles revealed that it didn’t work out, since he wants to focus on his music for the time being.

“I want to put music out and focus on that for a while. But everyone involved in it was amazing, so I think it’s going to be great,” he said. “I’ll enjoy watching it, I’m sure.”

Back in July, rumors started circulating about Styles’s potential involvement in the film, which will star R&B musician Halle Bailey as Ariel. One month later, People confirmed that the “Sign of the Times” singer “respectfully declined” Disney’s offer to star in The Little Mermaid.

Styles originally gained popularity in 2010 when he joined the X Factor generated boy band, One Direction. In 2017, the musician made his acting debut in Christopher Nolan’s war drama Dunkirk, which starred Kenneth Branagh, Mark Rylance, Tom Hardy and Fionn Whitehead.

Although he doesn’t have any other projects lined up, Styles is reportedly working on his second solo album. According to the singer’s good friend Stevie Nicks (casual), it’s a complete 180 from his self-titled debut record.

“It’s not like his last album,” she told The Face. “It’s not like anything One Direction ever did. It’s pure Harry, as Harry would say. He’s made a very different record and it’s spectacular.”

As much as we’d love to see Styles perform an all-new Prince Eric dance number, we’ll take what we can get.