Halle Climbs Out of Self Doubt in Ethereal Music Video 'Angel'

Scheme Engine director Wendy Morgan directed the music video, 'Angel,' the debut solo single of Halle, following her starring role in The Little Mermaid. Says Wendy, “I wanted to create a video where viewers would feel the same chills and beauty I felt when I first listened to the song and its message. I felt a responsibility to reflect the emotions of the song in a way that was not too obvious and I wanted something ‘painterly’ that veers away from polished pop music videos.”

Wendy collaborated with acclaimed choreographer, Kyle Abraham, a MacArthur Fellow whose work is galvanised by Black culture and history. For 'Angel,' Wendy says they “looked at both Renaissance ceiling frescoes, with their organisation of angels sitting on clouds, alongside Alvin Ailey’s spatial formations. Kyle helped me find our visual tone in such a clear, inspired way, with a gracefulness only he could have brought.”

“I was also fortunate to work with stylist Anna Trevelyan who brought fashion and sensitivity to incredible looks for Halle. Kyle and Anna both elevated the video and helped us create the world of Angel,” added Wendy.

On the song, Halle released this statement, “This song for me is so very special and near and dear to my heart. With everything I’ve gone through the past three to four years, suddenly finding myself in this bubble of all these eyes and new opinions, it was easy for me to feel doubt in myself and who I was. This song for me was my climb out of those feelings, a mantra and promise to myself that the work I’m doing here on earth matters and that I matter. I wanted to be able to embrace and be proud of myself and who I am naturally through and through. I hope other brown and black girls and everyone in general feel embraced, respected, and inspired hearing the words of this song.”

Wendy added, “I was inspired watching Black girls’ joyful reaction to seeing Halle as Ariel in The Little Mermaid. Halle and I both wanted to lean into that affirming experience and make sure Black girls felt seen in the ‘Angel’ video and knew it was about them also.”