The discovery that Halle Bailey will be playing ‘Ariel’ in The Little Mermaids adaption has caused a lot of racial disputes, among critics. Freeform, a channel for teens and young adults and owned by Walt Disney Television, released a statement on Saturday (July 6) to put an end to the backlash.
“Yes. The original author of The Little Mermaid was Danish. Ariel…is a mermaid. She lives in an underwater kingdom in international waters and can legit swim wherever she wants (even though that often upsets King Triton, absolute zaddy),” the post states. “But for the sake of argument, let’s say that Ariel, too, is Danish. Danish mermaids can be black because Danish *people* can be black. Ariel can sneak up to the surface at any time with her pals Scuttle and the *ahem* Jamaican crab Sebastian (sorry, Flounder!) and keep that bronze base tight. Black Danish people, and this mer-folk, can also *genetically* (!!!) have red hair. But spoiler alert – bring it back to the top – the character of Ariel is a work of fiction,” the post adds. “So after all this is said and done, and you still cannot get past the idea that choosing the incredible, sensational, highly-talented, gorgeous Halle Bailey is anything other than the INSPIRED casting that it is because she ‘doesn’t look like the cartoon one,’ oh boy, do I have some news for you…about you.”
Despite the negativity given by some fans, Bailey, who is a 19-year-old actress and R&B singer, has received so much support on all social media platforms. Many celebrities posted amazing things including Halle Berry, who most people thought was the one who originally got the gig because of the similarity in names. “In case you needed a reminder… Halles get it DONE. Congratulations @chloexhalle on this amazing opportunity, we can’t wait to see what you do!” wrote the Oscar-winning actress.
In case you needed a reminder… Halles get it DONE. Congratulations @chloexhalle on this amazing opportunity, we can’t wait to see what you do! #TheLittleMermaid #HalleBailey pic.twitter.com/z0Rik2nxRe
— Halle Berry (@halleberry) July 3, 2019
Singing sensation, Mariah Carey shared, “Congratulations Halle!! My kids and I are so excited for the emancipation of Ariel.” Carey’s message reminds us of the singer’s own liberating time when her studio album, “The Emancipation of MiMi dropped in 2005.
Congratulations Halle!! My kids and I are so excited for the emancipation of Ariel ??♀️ @chloexhalle https://t.co/6UwrduDQuc
— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) July 4, 2019
By: Jasmin Urquiza Montiel
Feature Photo: People
