The 2023 Disney film, "The Little Mermaid," received numerous backlash after the casting decision, according to Crossroads. #NotMyAriel quickly trended online, with netizens taking potshots at Disney and African-American actress Halle Bailey, who was cast in the lead role, Ariel.
They disapproved of Bailey because they grew up with Ariel being white.
In the original animated film, released in 1989, the fictional mermaid Ariel is depicted as a white and red-haired woman; hence, having Bailey take on the role drew some kind of racist backlash online. People said Disney was "too woke" for casting a Black actress as the film's title character. They also had an issue with Bailey's hair not being red.
However, Disney debuted a teaser trailer of the film at D23 over the weekend, and it amassed nearly 11 million views on YouTube.
Little Black girls were ecstatic about having a representation in a Disney film to the delight of their parents, who have been sharing their daughters' reactions on social media.
In one video posted by a TikTok user, @nickyknackpaddywack, the little girl said, "Mommy! She's brown like me" while looking surprised and happy at her mother. The video is among the many shared across TikTok and Twitter, with parents using hashtags like #RepresentationMatters to help demonstrate the essence of diverse casting in children's media.
"Mama, she's Black! Mama, they made a Black Ariel!"
Another reaction video posted by Tiktok user Precious Avery showed a toddler lying on the couch, who quickly sits up when Bailey appears on the big screen. "I think she's brown! Brown Ariel is cute," the toddler can be heard saying.
TikTok user callmedarii also posted a video of her daughter's ecstatic reaction to seeing the modern Ariel and pointed out in the caption that representation indeed matters, and they now can't wait for the film, especially her young daughter.
Another TikTok user, Jendayis682, recorded her daughter asking, "Is Ariel actually black?" to which the mom answered, "In this 'Little Mermaid' she will be."
Jendayis682 said Black children would surely feel happy as they will now see someone exactly like them in fairytales which they don't usually see. "Complain all you want" I hear nothing but the joy and excitement of this little girl over seeing someone that represents her, the mother added.
Another girl expressed shock, "Mama, she's Black! Mama, they made a black Ariel!" the young girl exclaimed in the video, which has been liked more than 675,000 times on TikTok, per People.
Bringing some depth to the reimagined story
Director Rob Marshall told NBC News that the 2023 Disney Film "Little Mermaid" will feature four additional songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, which will also be comprised of detailed mermaid tails and, of course, a Black princess.
Marshall added that the live-action remake would honor the original animated film but said he wanted to bring some depth to the reimagined story.
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