Chloe x Halle member #HalleBailey has been tapped to play Ariel in Disney’s next live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid,” and #BlackTwitter has been singing Disney’s praises ever since.
Director Rob Marshall spent the last few months meeting with talent, but close sources say Bailey was a clear front runner from the beginning. “After an extensive search, it was abundantly clear that Halle possesses that rare combination of spirit, heart, youth, innocence, and substance — plus a glorious singing voice — all intrinsic qualities necessary to play this iconic role,” Marshall said in a statement.
Fans took to #Twitter in response to the announcement, and most reactions have been of positive so far. One user tweeted, “Halle Bailey will be the first black Princess in a live action in 22 years! Now she joins Brandy as the only Black Princess in Disney history, congrats!”
Another tweeted, “Halle Bailey, a black girl with dreads is gonna be playing Ariel in the little mermaid live action… racists are gonna be mad mad.” And indeed they are!
But, of course, the celebration was plagued with complaints from bigots and racists, who have come out on Twitter in full support of the original white, red-haired Ariel. #NotMyAriel was trending, full of people opposed to the casting and even some who confused #HalleBerry with the 19-year-old R&B singer.
One user tweeted, “Disappointed with #HalleBailey as #Ariel. Disney kept the essence of Belle and Jasmine so why isnt Ariel ginger and light skin? So not happy about it #TheLittleMermaid.” Another Twitter user wrote, “How you gonna cast an actress without a tail to play a cartoon character with a tail? F**k Disney. Hope they lose all their money. I’m defo boycotting the movie.”
A confused hater tweeted, “Does it have to be racist to disagree with Halle Berry as Ariel. Ariel was a 16 year old. Halle Berry is 52. Nicole Kidman shouldn’t be Ariel either.”
How do you feel about Disney’s decision to cast Halle Bailey as the new Ariel?
