Last month, Disney announced that Halle Bailey secured the role of Ariel in the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid.

Following Disney’s announcement, some fans used the hashtag, #NotMyAriel, in an effort to show their disapproval of Bailey. On Tuesday (Aug. 6), Bailey attended Variety‘s Power of Young Hollywood gala where she spoke on the negativity that she’s received. Like the professional that she is, the 19-year-old stated that she is unbothered.

“I feel like I’m dreaming and I’m just grateful and I don’t pay attention to the negativity,” she began. “I just feel like this role was something bigger than me and greater and it’s going to be beautiful. I’m just so excited to be a part of it.”

Elsewhere during her conversation, Bailey explained that she is excited to take on a solo project despite always working alongside her sister, Chloe, who serves as one half of their singing duo, ChloexHalle.

“It is definitely a little bit nerve-racking because I am the little sister,” Bailey told Variety. “I am so used to [us] always going through these challenging moments in our career together, [but] I am beginning to understand that this film is so much bigger than me.”

Despite the opinions of some naysayers, many believe that Bailey is deserving of her role. Last month, Freeform wrote an open letter defending Bailey’s talents.

“After all this is said and done, and you still cannot get past the idea that choosing the incredible, sensational, highly-talented gorgeous Halle Bailey is anything other than the inspired casting that it is because ‘she doesn’t look like the cartoon one,’ oh boy do I have some news for you about you.”

The Little Mermaid live-action remake is directed by Rob Marshall and is expected to start production early next year.