Halle Bailey has already debuted as Ariel in the new The Little Mermaid film which has been quite an anticipated project since its announcement. After staying in the headlines majorly over the casting of the lead protagonist in the film, it is getting mixed reactions from the fans. Despite the critical acclaim for Bailey over her role, singer Paloma Faith is quite on the other side, especially due to the plot of the film.
The English singer has quite a credit for her musical journey in the UK. She was even the former judge of The Voice UK in 2016, and on The Voice Kids in 2020. Being a renowned personality, she recently slammed the new live-action adaption.
Paloma Faith Slammed Halle Bailey’s The Little Mermaid for Its Plot
The 41-year-old singer, Paloma Faith took to Instagram stories to share her experience after watching the live adaptation to the 1989 animated film, The Little Mermaid. Though she praised Halle Bailey for her portrayal of Ariel in the film, she called out the plot, especially the part where Ariel gives up her voice and powers to be with the man of her heart.
She wrote in the stories,
“Just seen [sic] the new little mermaid with my kids and while I think Halle gives a good performance and it’s great casting, as a mother of girls I don’t want my kids to think it’s ok to give up your entire voice and your powers to love a man.”
The post has since been deleted, where she further wrote,
“Wtf is this s–t? Not what I want to be teaching next gen women at all.”
It is not surprising for the plot to be like that since many pointed out that the film was not a creation but rather an adaptation. It simply meant that the concept would have not likely been altered majorly.
Fans’ Reaction to Paloma Faith’s Criticism
While Faith was unable to get charmed by the new adaptation, Twitterati has shared their opinion on her statement, especially addressing her highlighted issue on the project.
One fan specified the fact that the new film is rather an adaptation of the 1989 classic.
it’s literally the same plot as the original what— 💀
— 𝗿ø𝗻 (@ronreup) May 29, 2023
She didn’t know what the movie was about???
— ALLISON ♐️💞🌟 (@allisonmwaddell) May 29, 2023
While some decided to point out that Ariel was not giving up her voice for a man, but rather to live a life as a human.
Before you scream in feminist…
Ariel in The Little Mermaid doesn’t give up her voice for a man.
She gives up her voice to be human.
Falling in love is one of her human experiences, but it wasn’t the reason.
“Part of Your World” literally is all about this. pic.twitter.com/GwiNFT1vwb
— Evie Magazine (@Evie_Magazine) May 29, 2023
i wonder if this was her same opinion for the original little mermaid as well…….
— VentyG (@geeksquadx) May 30, 2023
someone took mad at disney a little too seriously
— Paul⁴ ✱ BLM (@selenastan18) May 29, 2023
Though the Ariel star previously mentioned that the movie, “definitely changed that perspective of just her wanting to leave the ocean for a boy … It’s way bigger than that. It’s about herself, her purpose, her freedom, her life and what she wants.”
Though it’s unclear whether the singer watched the original classic or not, she once wanted to be the mermaid princess as her old tweet from 2019 resurfaced where she wrote, “when i grow up i want to be the little mermaid.”
Meanwhile, The Little Mermaid is now in theaters.
