For people who like throwing around the word “snowflake,” right-wing racists sure are a sensitive bunch. The latest news to get MAGA panties in a bunch is Disney’s announcement of Black singer-actress Halle Bailey as Ariel in the upcoming live-action The Little Mermaid remake.
Apparently racists believe there was an actual little mermaid who was white. Is that it? More likely, they just don’t like to see people of color get nice things.
I’d like some credit for being on the Halle Bailey bandwagon two years ago, when I dedicated a week to the music of her and her sister, Chloe.
Bailey seems like an inspired choice to play Ariel. She has the expressive face of a Disney princess, a lovely singing voice and decent enough comedic acting chops to land a role on Grown-ish. I’m excited to see this movie (in late 2020 at the earliest) because of this decision but mostly because Lin-Manuel Miranda is working on the soundtrack.
I do have one question about Bailey’s appearance in the film, but it has nothing to do with the color of her skin. No, my question is what color they’ll make her hair.
Ariel needn’t be white, but is it a step too far to not include her signature red hair? That would be like Will Smith’s Genie in Aladdin showing up green instead of blue.
I think she will be a perfect Little Mermaid!
I think red hair would look fake, but, then again, we are talking about a mermaid, so maybe a dark skinned mermaid can have naturally red hair? Personally, i think if they are changing skin tone and ethnicity, I see no need to stick with red hair.