Channel Your Inner Mermaid With This DIY Mermaid Swimsuit

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve wanted to be a mermaid. In my pool growing up, I would flip my legs like a mermaid tail as I swam. Though I’m not a kid anymore and am trying my best at adulting, I still aspire to be a mermie in my daily life. Thankfully, Brit + Co provides many ways to add a touch of mermaid to the everyday with things like this DIY mermaid tail blanket, mermie makeup and this fin-tastic mermie mani. My mermaid obsession nearly exploded when I found out about the swimwear line dedicated to mermaids! Though beautiful, the pieces are a taaad pricey ($75 just for a bikini top), so today we’re showing you how to DIY your own mermaid bikini for under $50! Since this bathing suit involves gluing sequin scales on it, I wouldn’t recommend doing intense intervals in the pool with this on. However, this bikini is PERFECT for playful splish-splashing!

Materials:
— white swimsuit (we got this one from Target)

— fabric spray paint in two colors

— fabric paint

— little paintbrush

— pearl beads

— needle and thread

— sequins

— fabric glue

Instructions:
1. Spray your bathing suit with fabric spray paint. Spray half of the bikini top and bottom one color and the other half the second color to create an ombre effect. The fabric spray paint makes it easy to pull this off.

2. When the paint is dry, paint scales on your suit. We just did some scales here and there, but feel free to paint scales all over if you so desire!

3. Use fabric glue to glue sequins onto the suit.

4. Sew two or three pearls on the bikini bottom ties. If your suit doesn’t have any ties, sew pearls along the bust line or just scattered around the front! The world is your oyster (pun intended)!

Spray your bathing suit with fabric spray paint. Spray half of the bikini top and bottom one color and the other half the second color to create an ombre effect. The fabric spray paint makes it easy to pull this off. If your bikini bottom has ties on the hips, untie them before you spray so you can cover both the back and the front with paint at the same time. Otherwise, wait until one side is dry before you flip it over to spray the back.

When the spray paint is dry, paint scales on your suit. We just did some scales here and there, but feel free to paint scales all over if you so desire!

Use fabric glue to glue sequins on the suit.

Sew two or three pearls on the bikini bottom ties. If your suit doesn’t have any ties, sew pearls along the bust line or scattered around the front! The world is your oyster (pun intended)!

All done!

Bikini close-up!

Life is the bubbles under the sea!

Splish splash, I was takin’ a bath!

What other mermaid DIYs have you tried? Share your photos with us on Instagram using the hashtag #iamcreative and tag @BritandCo. Need even more summer inspiration? Head to Pinterest STAT.

DIY Production + Styling: Irene Lee

Photography: Brittany Griffin
Modeling: Kelly Bryden

Swimwear style is making waves recently, pushing the limits beyond a traditional one piece or bikini set. Today, boyshort-style bottoms or even bikini tops with sleeves are becoming more common! As we all know, fashion trends tend to come back around every few years, and I would like to draw your attention to our old friend, the tankini.

These 10 tankinis are perfect for providing your poolside look with more coverage, but also lend a very trendy vibe. Scroll on to shop my favorite pieces!

Lime Ricki

Lime Ricki Breezy Floral Knotted Crop Top

This floral tankini top is to die for! It comes with a built-in bra, so you can wear this even if you decide to take a jog on the beach. This $85 style is one of the most popular Lime Ricki bathing suit tops, with a whopping 183 5-star reviews.

Gottex

Gottex Belle Curve V-Neck Halter Tankini Top

This $68 (was $104) tankini is so chic and has the perfect amount of European flair. I love the ruffled bottom detail and halter straps that give it a tenniscore vibe. Pairing this tankini with navy or white bottoms will complete the set seamlessly. This bathing suit is perfect for a day out on the boat!

Blue Rod Beattie

Blue Rod Beattie Break The Mold Tankini Top

I am deeply obsessed with this funky pattern. Blue Rod Beattie simply created the perfect tankini if you wanna get a little crazy and colorful this summer. I gotta note that this $91 tankini top runs on the longer side, so if you have a long torso, this may be the top for you!

lime ricki

Lime Ricki Clover One-Shoulder Tankini Top

A one-shoulder moment? Yes please! This tankini top comes in a vibrant clover green color with sewn-in bra pads. The adjustable tie straps make this top perfectly adjustable for any size. You can find it in sizes XS-4X. Green matches any complexion and can go with any style or color of swim bottoms. Keep it simple with a solid bottoms or spice things up with a fun pattern!

The Lime Ricki Clover One-Shoulder Tankini Top is currently on sale for $55 (was $73).

Tommy Bahama

Tommy Bahama Island Cays Shell Beach Reversible Halter Tankini Top

This pattern is begging to be on a beach in the Caribbean. Tommy Bahama knows how to do swimwear right, with this swimmie boasting a wrinkle-free and UV protective material. As if this $138 pattern could not get any better, the top is reversible. And HELLO??? the pom pom-lined neckline is such a fun addition!

Blue Rod Beattie

Blue Rod Beattie Color Field V-Neck Tankini Top

Another funky pattern for the win! This $91 tankini top would look so good with black bottoms, or any bottoms of the colors featured in the pattern. The gold ring detailing in the straps would look perfect with some shiny gold earrings, too!

Tommy Bahama

Tommy Bahama Palm Modern Halter Tankini Top

Timeless. Simply. Classy. This $80 tankini top can go with literally any pair of bottoms. This piece is made to highlight all your natural curves and can be adjusted to fit any chest size. Finally, this top is made from recycled fabric, and just like the other Tommy Bahama tankini I feature, it's made from a helpful UV protective fabric.

Trina Turk

Trina Turk Solstice Banded Strapless Tankini Swim Top

If you love a little two-in-one moment, this tankini was totally made for you. This banded top comes with adjustable, removable straps. So, whether you are feeling more of a bandeau-style top or aren't a fan of tan lines, you can just take off the spaghetti straps. Trina Turk tends to run small, so be sure to size up with this $90 pick!

Trina Turk

Trina Turk Hula Off The Shoulder Tankini Swim Top

I am so drawn to this $128 off-the-shoulder tankini. The ruffles add a fun vibe, even if this top is just black and white. It's also perfect if you're looking for more chest coverage from a swimsuit. You don't even need a cover-up – just throw on a pair of linen pants, and you have yourself a complete summer outfit.

Gottex Swimwear

Gottex Dandy V-Neck Halter Tankini Top

This $59 (was $108) tankini is so coquette. The bow details on the front are enough to sell me on it! This top is fairly simple, but the pop of color that really spices things up. The v-shaped neckline is also flattering for any chest size. The top fits true to size for finding your perfect fit!

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Lead image via Trina Turk.

Emma Mackey and Glen Powell are proving Barbie summer and Twisters summer really can last forever. The two actors are starring alongside Jenna Ortega in J.J. Abrams' new film and I'm absolutely losing my mind. All three actors are truly comedy geniuses with super dramatic acting chops to boot, and I just know their scenes together are going to be cinematic gold. We don't have too much information about the movie just yet but I've scoured the internet for every little detail you need to know — keep checking back here for updates!

Keep reading for everything we know about J.J. Abrams' new movie starring Glen Powell, Jenna Ortega, and Emma Mackey.

The untitled Warner Bros. movie will start filming in early-2025, which means we could see it in 2026. The movie was rumored to have a time travel plotline but that's not actually the case, according to The Hollywood Reporter. We also know that J.J. Abrams is serving as both writer and director (slay), which he's done on Mission: Impossible III, Super 8, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (double slay).

In addition to this new movie, Glen Powell's also eyeing a reunion with Tom Cruise for Top Gun 3, while Jenna Ortega's Wednesday season 2will hit Netflix in 2025. Warner Bros. is also giving us Margot Robbie's Wuthering Heights, which is another win for Barbies everywhere.

In addition to Barbie, you can watch Emma Mackey in Sex Education, Emily, and Death on the Nile. Glen Powell proves his rom-com capabilities with Set It Up on Netflix, while Jenna Ortega totally wowed us in Beetlejuice 2.

Are you excited for this brand new, ever so secretive movie? Check out 11 New Movies Coming In December To Add To Your Calendar ASAP for more titles you can watch starting next week!

The day Target swimsuits hit stores is the day I can feel myself becoming myself again. After all, summer is when I thrive! As the weather warms up (albeit slowly), it's time to shop all the Target swimsuits before the cutest ones sell out.

From one piece bathing suits to teeny, cheeky bikinis, the retailer's got their swimwear game on lock – and these 16 Target swimsuits prove it! From more modest swim dresses to spring break-worthy matching sets, scroll ahead for the best Target swimsuits of the season.

Target One Piece Swimsuits

Shade & Shore Shirred Ribbed Bandeau Cheeky One Piece Swimsuit

This one piece bandeau-style swimmy is giving major cool girl vibes. The soft, slightly ribbed material it's made out of is designed to hug your shape in the most flattering way, while the bust stays put with the help of a durable elastic band. If you don't exactly jive with the strapless look, this $25 style arrives with a set of detachable and adjustable straps.

This little number is also available in three other colors (black, blue, and pink) and you can shop it in sizes XS-XL now.​

Kona Sol Pucker Square Neck One Piece Swimsuit

If there's one thing about me, it's that I love a square neckline. They're universally flattering and provide your look with somethin' a little bit different than the rest!

That's exactly why this very marine-inspired green suit is perfect for poolside or the beach – the unique neckline will have heads turning left and right. Best of all? You'll feel comfortable and supported all day long, thanks to the sewn-in cups and the wide adjustable straps.

This $46 piece is truly timeless and will last you past this season and the next. Shop it in this gorgeous green or lavender or peach! It's now available in plus sizes 14-24.

Kona Sol Full Coverage Tummy Control Cap Sleeve U-Wire One Piece Swimsuit

This Target swimsuit comes complete with a tummy control feature that will undoubtedly make you look snatched, no matter where you are. I've never seen a style like this one, TBH, and I am obsessed – the slim cap sleeves and deep-diving notch on the neckline are just adorable, plus they add a feminine air to the look as a whole. You could even get away with wearing this as a bodysuit on dry land!

This berry-red color definitely speaks to the spring and summer seasons with beautiful vibrance. You can snag this $42 one piece in sizes XS-XL now!

Shade & Shore Twist-Front Plunge One Piece Swimsuit

This cute suit makes me want to singlehandedly bring back ombré fashion... The twisted front detail is enough to make it stand out from other styles, but that's not all this Target piece has to offer! The flipside of this swimmy features an open back that secures stylishly with a bow tie, allowing you to show some skin and simply get some sun. The plunging neckline definitely incorporates a flirty vibe to your vacay (or pool day) get-up.

This $36 piece is also shoppable in a rich brown color if ombré isn't for you. You can snag it in sizes XS-XL now.

Shade & Shore Square Neck Wide Binding One Piece Swimsuit

The white trim on this Target swimsuit delivers some serious vintage vibes, contrasting wonderfully with the mesmerizing green body. This number boasts medium-level coverage, so you can move about without worrying about an accidental slip or wardrobe blip. The fit is fairly straightforward, plus it's customizable with the addition of adjustable straps.

Add this pick to your cart for just $36! It's currently shoppable in sizes XS-XL.

Shade & Shore Mesh Front One Piece Swimsuit

Mesh is just that girl. The see-through cutouts on this Target swimsuit allow for a hint of mystery and sexiness... because, after all, you should feel sexy in your swimsuit! I think black is the perfect color to opt for when buying a suit because you can be confident it'll match with whatever else you're wearing at any point in time.

The mesh paneling on this one piece crosses back and forth across the front of the stomach, with the rest of the material being an opaque black. This suit is the perfect amount of spicy for when you want to look and feel your best by the pool or ocean.

Snag it for $40 in this deep black or a stark white color in sizes XS-XL today.

Wild Fable High Leg Cheeky Scoop Back One Piece Swimsuit

This one piece makes a play on traditional suits, instead hiking up the leg holes to elongate your legs and giving it a plunging open back to reveal some skin. It's fairly basic when it comes to the other Target swimsuits, but I think it works perfectly for those who aren't looking for extra bells and whistles.

There aren't any cups in this swimmy – just a convenient built-in shelf bra. It's fully lined and fitted with adjustable straps to find your ultimate fit! Shop it for just $20 in this eye-catching red or a basic black.

Shade & Shore Ribbed Plunge Front Cut Out One Piece Swimsuit

This has gotta be my favorite of all the hottest Target swimsuits this season. The triangular cutout that sits just above the tummy gives the illusion that this one piece is actually a two piece, but it's not as uncomfortable as a bikini in any way. The supportive high-waisted bottom half is extremely flattering (the high leg makes it extra-cheeky), while the ruched top has all the pizazz.

This $50 pick secures with a tie in the back, so you can land on a fit as tight or as loose as you like. The fact that it's shoppable in actual bra sizes is life-saving for a good fit, too! Find this floral design in sizes 34D-38DD.

Target Bikinis

Wild Fable Triangle Bikini Top + Side-Tie Scoop Front High Leg Adjustable Bikini Bottoms

It seems this season is all about the high leg! High leg silhouettes like this will def make those beautiful legs look longer and luscious. This strappy bikini set with a tie-back triangle top and adjustable, tied bottoms is very straightforward compared to most traditional suits, but that doesn't mean it's bland! The electric purple colorway makes this pick instantly attractive. If purple just isn't the vibe, you can also shop it in black, red, or green!

Both pieces of this two piece are $12, making the entire look an accessible total of $24. The purple shade is now shoppable in sizes XXS-XL!

Shade & Shore Shirred Ribbed Bralette Bikini Top + Ribbed Hipster Bikini Bottoms

This sporty set is living in my head rent-free. For those that prefer not to fuss with excessive ties, clasps, or buttons, each piece of this bikini is super easy to put on – with just a singular clasp at the back of the top. Plus, no underwires or bulky cups to mess with! The shirred v-neck top also features adjustable straps, so finding a length that feels right isn't a challenge. The bottoms are more of a low-rise vibe.

Each piece in this set is $15, so your whole look will set you back $30. You can find this style in black, brown, or pink, too. Shop it in sizes XS-XL today!

Wild Fable Center Front U-Wire Bandeau Bikini Top + Scoop Front Ultra Cheeky Ultra High Leg Pieced Bikini Bottoms

I simply cannot get enough florals! I love the more abstract, color-blocked design on this Target bikini.

The top hugs your bod in the most loving way, securing in the back with a wide-strapped bow tie. It also comes ready with detachable, adjustable straps for the pool days you'd prefer to have more support up top. The flirtly little u-shaped wire detail is the cherry on top for me, TBH! The bottoms are equally cheeky (literally showing some cheek, if you know what I mean), but soooo adorable for sunning.

The top is $18 while the bottoms are $15. All together, this colorful look costs $33 and is available in sizes XXS-XL now.

Shade & Shore Underwire Ruffle Trim Bikini Top + Ruffle Cheeky Bikini Bottoms

I highly recommend buying a white swimsuit if you're jetting off to a coastal vacation. The clean color will match perfectly with a blue water beach! 

This flirty n' femme bikini set begins with a stunning ruffled top that's supported nicely by a discreet underwire. The top (with cute crossed straps in the back) secures behind you with a simple tie, while the bottoms flaunt ruffled trim on all sides. The bum ​also​ has some very flattering ruching running down the middle to accentuate your figure! This is one highly Instagrammable suit.

This Target swimsuit ($43 for both pieces) is shoppable by bra sizes, now available in sizes ranging from 32A to 38DD. The sizing for the bottoms ranges from XS-XL!​

Shade & Shore Longline Keyhole Halter Bikini Top + Strappy High Leg Extra Cheeky Bikini Bottoms

I am fully here for the keyhole design on this suit. The fact that you don't have to layer it yourself every time you go to wear it is super helpful, too! The top on this bright orange bikini fits snugly on your bust, securing in the back with a basic clasp. The strappy bottoms feature a playful tie-back accent that can be styled a handful of different ways!

This suit also follows bra sizing, now available in sizes 32B-38DD. The bottoms vary slightly, following a XS-L size range. All together, this electric look totals $48.​

Target Swim Dresses

Swim 365 Plus Size Princess-Seam Swim Dress

This vibrant pattern is everything! Dip your toes into the tropical vibe this summer with this Target swim dress that fits like a glove. It's lined on the inside with a durable, stretchy material that also provides some favorable tummy control, if you're looking for it. The hem hits at your upper thigh, so this suit is still super youthful and ready for any adventure!

Shop this pick in sizes 8-34 for about $67 now.

Swimsuits For All Plus Size Tiered Swim Dress

The tiered look on this swim dress make it a bit more sophisticated for sitting by the ocean or playing in the pool! No matter what you're up to, you can trust that this suit will stay put, thanks to its comfy mesh lining. The scoop neck silhouette shows off your arms and collarbone in the most flattering way.

This $89 pick isn't sold in stores, but you can snag it online in sizes 10-26!

Swimsuits For All Plus Size High Neck Wrap Swim Dress

The crossing neck straps on this style are adorable and add an air of elegance to your swim look! Not to mention, this blue and purple colorway is making me wanna book a flight to Hawaii, ASAP. This tummy-controlling swim dress is lightly lined with mesh on the undersize so you won't feel too engulfed in the water-friendly fabric.

Snag this $86 pick that'll last you season after season online only in sizes 8-26.

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

When you're often the life of the party and happen to be partnered up and in your 30s, you'll instantly turn heads when you say no to booze. I can personally attest to the difficulty of this. As someone who loves happy hour and has a particular affinity for lemon drop shotsin totally inappropriate settings, there was no way I could get away with *not* drinking without inviting questioning looks.

Before I give you the guide to fake drinking when you're secretly pregnant, let me take this moment to make a PSA. If you see that a female friend of yours isn't drinking and she usually does, try not to ask her if she's expecting in front of everyone. She might be secretly pregnant, taking fertility drugs that can't be combined with alcohol, just trying to lower her dosage of alcohol with the hope that it helps her get pregnant. There's also the chance she might just be…not drinking. Be as it may, no one wants to be bombarded with pregnancy questions.

Of course, not everyone is going to take my PSA seriously, so I've got some tips and tricks for all you pre-reveal preggos. These same tips apply to gals who are not drinking because they are trying to conceive. I was personally in this non-drinking camp for about five months before getting pregnant.

And how's this for proof? I organized and attended a bachelorette party for two of my very best friends with about eight of my other besties present — and no one had ANY idea I was pregnant. So, trust me — I'm a bona fide pro at fake drinking.


Rosee Canfield for Brit + Co

Keep reading for the best tips to happily sip drinks in a way that won't make your besties raise an eyebrow

Rosee Canfield for Brit + Co

Opt for canned beer

This was one of my earliest discoveries in the world of fake drinking. No one can see your drink when it's in a can. You might read that and think, yeah so? Well, take that can with you to the other can, and dump it out in the sink. Fill it up with water and no one will be the wiser. In fact, they'll think — wow, she's really blasting through those Coors Lights. Pro tip: Be sure to wipe any water drips off the can before you leave the bathroom, and rinse the sink so there's no errant beer foam floating around.

Rosee Canfield for Brit + Co

If you have to order a real drink, choose a clear cocktail. This is the classic move. You creep over to the bar when no one else is around, and order a club soda with lime. Think of it as a mocktail. Be sure to ask the bartender to serve it to you in a cocktail glass — a giant water glass or plastic cup is a dead giveaway.

If it's impossible to get alone time at the bar, order a vodka soda (or gin and tonic). Then take it to the bathroom, dump out the liquid (use a straw to keep the ice and any garnishes in the cup), then fill it with water instead. Complain about the soda or tonic being flat if anyone questions your drink's lack of tiny bubbles.

Rosee Canfield for Brit + Co

Make friends with bartenders. At first, bartenders give you a bit of side-eye when you ask for a club soda in a cocktail glass. They won't ask you what the deal is, but you can let them assume what they like — especially when you order that second or third club soda in a cocktailglass.

If you're feeling cavalier, and you and the bartender have really hit your stride, you can even say, “I'll take anything non-alcoholic that looks like a cocktail." I actually made SUCH good friends with a bartender at a wedding where I was fake drinking that every time I came over to the bar, he immediately winked at me and gave me “my regular." My friends guffawed at the fact that I was already friends with the bartender. Pro.

Rosee Canfield for Brit + Co

Allude to a possible tannin allergy. Wine is the toughest thing to fake, so don't even try. Tell your friends about how, out of nowhere, you've started to get headaches immediately after drinking a glass of wine. When they're like, “Is it just when you drink red?" reply with a frustrated sigh, “No, both red and white make me feel crappy — maybe it's a tannin thing?" Then get your faux canned beer or clear mocktail, and call it a day.

Rosee Canfield for Brit + Co

Ginger ale is a GREAT substitute for Champagne. Ginger ale looks like Champagne, it smells kind of like Champagne, and if your friends are tipsy enough and take a sip, they'll actually believe that it IS Champagne. Don't overdo this one though — too much sugary soda is not a good thing for you and your secret babe!

Rosee Canfield for Brit + Co

Pretend to be getting over a cold (so no one asks for a sip). After all, it's sick season! [Insert fake coughs here]

Rosee Canfield for Brit + Co

Always be the one to order or serve a round of shots. Shots are one of the toughest things to fake. Like, really difficult. And you might be thinking, who still takes shots anyway? Well, the answer is: I do. Or rather, I did. It would have been impossible to be at my two besties' bachelorette party without at least one round of shots. So what's a preggo to do? Serve 'em up, of course.

Because shots are best served as a surprise to inspire a second wind in any given party, you can creep into the kitchen to set things up. Pour all but one, and fill that one with a substitute. Ideally, it looks like what you're serving, and if that's not possible, make 3-5 of them vodka shots including yours, which is actually… water! If ordering shots at a bar, you're probably already friends with the bartender, so just ask him to make yours a fake one and to put a napkin or coaster under it on the tray that comes out.

Rosee Canfield for Brit + Co

Keep a drink in your hand at all times. This is an obvious one, but it's worth mentioning. If you don't have a drink on hand, someone will either hand you one or give you a hard time for not drinking. DO NOT give them that opportunity ;)

Rosee Canfield for Brit + Co

Never leave your drink unattended. Hopefully, you already have this rule in your wheelhouse from your college days. In this case, the key here is avoiding two things: friendly refills and someone accidentally picking up your drink and finding out it's phony.

Rosee Canfield for Brit + Co

Avoid being the first one to hit the hay. If you've already been squirreling around on the beverage front, the next clear sign that you might be secretly pregnant is when you're the first one to go to bed. So don't do that. Don't go to bed. Ever! Okay, at some point you'll need to go to bed because you need a TON of sleep in your first trimester, but avoid being the first party pooper at all costs.

And don't use getting up early “for a run" or “to do some work" as an excuse for going to bed — friends that know you will see right through that.

And there you have it, all you need to know about being a fake party animal when you're in the very early stages of expecting. Cheers! (But fake cheers, obvs.)

What are your best fake drinking tips? Share them with us @BritandCo!

TikTok sensations Barlow & Bear are no stranger to the spotlight. Besides the fact their Unofficial Bridgerton Musical won a Grammy (and basically broke the internet), popstar Abigail Barlow has millions of streams of her own, while Emily Bear performed in places like the White House and Carnegie Hall before turning 10.

So, it’s safe to say these two know what they’re doing. But one thing they never saw coming? Composing a Disney movie — or becoming the first female duo to do so. But that’s exactly what happened when they booked Moana 2.

Keep reading for our exclusive interview with Abigail Barlow & Emily Bear.

  • Barlow and Bear composed Moana 2, in theaters November 27.
  • They're the first female duo to compose a Disney movie and they hope the experience shows young girls "that their voices matter."
  • The duo also spilled on how Lin Manuel Miranda, who composed the original, "empowered" them.

How Barlow And Bear's Bond Influences Their Art

“We have such a sacred sisterhood!” Abigail tells me over email. “We met and found musical soulmates in one another. It’s more than just special. It’s a once in a lifetime connection that laid an incredibly strong foundation for creation.”

“Most of my life I’ve been the only girl in the room writing with much older people,” Emily adds. “Honestly because Abigail and I are like sisters, it creates such a safe place to be vulnerable together and create without restraint. When writing for Moana 2, we leaned on that emotional connection to explore the complexities of the story and how much we see ourselves in Moana!”

And the empowering message of the film, which follows Moana’s journey through Oceania, actually influenced their art. “Every day that I worked on Moana, I was empowered to continuously choose who I wanted to be,” Abigail says. “A leader, a listener, and a learner. In being tasked to write for this movie, I was being asked to go past my comfort zones. I think by being completely open hearted to this experience, it allowed me clarity when crafting the lyric and melody with Emily.”

Moana 2 is a story about finding strength through vulnerability, and that message became a huge theme in the music,” Emily says. “All our characters’ journeys reminded us to embrace our imperfections and trust the process of growth — no matter how painful it may seem in the moment. Moana is THAT girl. No one defines her but herself and writing for such an inspiring heroine FOR SURE inspired us right back.”

Why Abigail Barlow And Emily Bear Loved Working On 'Moana 2'

Walt Disney Studios

But considering the fact these two women are huge Disney fans (Abigail tells me her favorite Disney movies are The Little Mermaid and Frozen, while Emily loves Hercules and Mulan), one of the most inspiring details about their involvement is the fact that Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear’s Moana 2 score marks the first time a female duo has composed a Disney movie — and it’s a moment they don’t take for granted.

“I hope this shows [young girls] that their voices matter,” Emily says. “Growing up, I barely saw people who looked like me in roles like this, so being here now feels surreal. I want girls and women to know that their stories are powerful and deserve to be told. I really hope that Abigail and I can continue to open doors for more female creatives in film and music.”

And Abigail agrees. “I hope our story encourages young girls and women to forge their own path, and to never let anyone tell them they can’t do something.”

But this unbelievable experience didn’t come without its challenges. “Imposter syndrome is so real and a part of life for every single creative, and anyone who tells you otherwise is lying,” Emily says.

“I’m just trying to enjoy the ride, trust the fall, and be so grateful for the opportunity to be a role model for any little girl who might have a song in her heart,” Abigail says. “It’s an absolute honor and privilege to show her that anything — even magic — is possible.”

And according to Emily, the challenge of imposter syndrome actually propels her forward. “I do feel like that little voice of self-doubt pushes me to do the best work I possibly can do…I zoom out and focus on the bigger picture: the little girls watching this movie and realizing they, too, can dream as big as they want.”

How Lin Manuel-Miranda Empowered Barlow And Bear

One friendly face that provided a soft place to land was actually the original movie’s composer, Lin Manuel-Miranda! To no one’s surprise, theIn The Heights and Hamilton writer had some wonderful advice for Barlow and Bear.

“He was such a wonderful resource especially at the inception of the project when we were just setting sail,” Emily jokes. “He urged us to lean into our heroes for inspiration!”

“He gave me a stack of books I needed to buy,” Abigail adds. “Finishing the Hat by Stephen Sondheim, LYRICS by Oscar Hammerstein, Lyrics on Several Occasions by Ira Gershwin to name a few. He empowered me to study the craft of musical theatre storytelling in a way I never had before.”

And thanks to Barlow and Bear, a whole new generation of young women will dream about musical theatre storytelling now too!

Check out Moana 2 in theaters November 27, 2024. Check out the latest news on the Live-Action Moana too!