Halle Bailey has been making headlines a lot recently ahead of the release of her new movie, Disney’s The Little Mermaid. The American singer and actress first rose to fame as being one half of the music duo Chloe X Halle. Bailey does not have much acting experience so it really came as a shock when she was cast as Ariel in the upcoming Disney movie back in 2019.
Ever since the announcement, there has been unrest among fans regarding the ethnicity of the American actress. #NotMyAriel also went viral on Twitter and multiple other social media platforms because people were mad about the casting of Halle Bailey as Ariel.
Halle Bailey talked about the importance of representation in movies
Halle Bailey recently opened up and talked about how her life would have been a whole lot different if she had seen a ‘Black mermaid‘ as a child. She said, “If I would have had a black mermaid, that would have been insane, that would have changed my whole perspective, my whole life, my confidence, my self-worth.”
The actress further talked about the importance of representation and the effects they have on people, especially the younger generation. Bailey said, “Some people are just like, oh, it’s whatever because they’ve had it their whole life. It’s nothing to them. But it’s so important.”
The fans took to Twitter to express their discontent against having a ‘black mermaid‘
Casting Halle Bailey as Ariel has left the fans divided on whether a ‘black mermaid‘ is a good decision or not. Some fans have defended the decision and explained about how important representation is whereas others are not so convinced and are openly boycotting The Little Mermaid movie.
After reading Bailey’s comments about how seeing a Black Mermaid in her childhood would have changed her life, a Twitter user wrote, “You were in a movie, hun. You didn’t cure cancer.”
You were in a movie, hun. You didn't cure cancer.
— Andrew Paul Wood🤔😒 (@AndrewPaulWood) May 20, 2023
Many fans are pissed about why the studios and people have to include races even in fictional characters and storylines. One user argued that by this logic, they should also cast a ‘White Tchalla‘ and a ‘White Miles Morales‘ in the Marvel movies as well.
What??
Then similarly a white tchalla in MCU should have been better for representation…or a white miles Morales too— Morningstar (@JoeLeBron12) May 20, 2023
These Disney stories belong to us all. Glad to see them reaching a wide audience. But this kid was born in 2000. Not 1965. So excuse me if I take these type of comments with a grain of salt.
— SciFiGuy (@SciFiGu76676655) May 20, 2023
Hmm. I think a lot of things can change your life. But they don't all make $$ in the box office.
— Swampy (@real_swampy) May 20, 2023
Some fans also defended Bailey being cast as Ariel on the platform and reflected on the importance of representation.
This is why representation matters
— Swolku (@JerbearFreeman) May 20, 2023
I believe this one is a make or break for woke culture and Disney live action in general- the box office will decide who won
— Yeah I Don't Care (@SupermanRising) May 20, 2023
Regardless of everything, the movie is still quite well hyped up among the fans. The live-action The Little Mermaid movie is all set to be released on 26th May 2023.
Source: Twitter
