Disney’s Freeform is sending a message to those who’ve criticized filmmakers for casting Halle Bailey as the lead in the upcoming flick “The Little Mermaid.”
» RELATED: Atlanta native Halle Bailey to play Ariel in 'The Little Mermaid'
The channel, Disney’s network aimed at teens and young adults, released a statement on its Instagram page over the weekend.
It began its letter by explaining Ariel, who Bailey will portray, is a mythical creature. It then addressed critics who claim the character is Danish and believe the actress playing her should not be black.
“Yes. The original author of ‘The Little Mermaid’ was Danish. Ariel...is a mermaid,” the post said. “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 ... Black Danish people, and this mer-folk, can also *genetically* (!!!) have red hair.”
“So after all this is said and done,” the statement continued, “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.”
Last week, Disney announced Bailey, who is half of the Atlanta singing sister duo Chloe x Halle, would take on the lead role in the live action remake.
The singer and actress, who also stars in Freeform’s “grown-ish,” quickly became a trending topic online. Many said she should not have gotten the role because she doesn’t look like the cartoon version of “The Little Mermaid,” who is white.
It's not a movie about mermaids ... it's about the 1989 Disney movie based on the story "The Little Mermaid" Written by Hans Christian Andersen where he describes white skin as blue eyes.
— Paola Flores (@PaolaFl55150463) July 5, 2019
Ariel is from DENMARK ... Nordic ... #NotMyAriel #Itisnotinclusive pic.twitter.com/7fMNy2xhGI
No, wanting an accurate representation of Ariel's character in the big screen doesn't make anyone Racist or less accessible to those changes, leave the classics ALONE, if everyone wants princesses from different ethnicities and colors etc, make new tales. #NotMyAriel
— the dude everyone hates (@OxmarvisMendoza) July 5, 2019
I don't care what anyone says. This is The Little Mermaid and Ariel. #NotMyAriel pic.twitter.com/PB8dHgbOuY
— 😊☺️😁🤓Andrew 🇺🇸🎮🕹🎞📽🎥🎬 (@biohazardfan07) July 7, 2019
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On the other hand, several praised Disney for its choice, applauding the organization for its diversity efforts. Some even posted art of Bailey as Ariel.
quick ariel art 🧜🏾♀️🧜🏾♀️🧜🏾♀️💞 pic.twitter.com/CamIGC6lrB
— inés (@ine8s) July 4, 2019
When I was little I wanted to be Ariel for Halloween so badly. Ppl said I couldn’t bc we looked nothing alike & said to be Jasmine or Pocahontas instead. Halle Bailey as Ariel is so important. Let little girls like me have this. Representation matters. I promise you, it matters. pic.twitter.com/mu9ZDz2kZ8
— Trinity Hutchins (@trinevay37) July 8, 2019
@JoyAnnReid My granddaughter is so excited that @chloexhalle that been cast as Ariel in the @Disney live-action. #RepresentationMatters pic.twitter.com/xOqG1YiFan
— billye moutra (@bilibu) July 6, 2019
Warm-up painting because I am SO INCREDIBLY HERE FOR IT #TheLittleMermaid @chloexhalle pic.twitter.com/kWom3RE9tq
— Alice X. Zhang (@alicexz) July 4, 2019
Neither Disney nor Bailey has responded to the controversy. However, Bailey has taken to Twitter to thank those who’ve congratulated her. She said playing Ariel is a “dream come true.”
dream come true... 🧜🏽♀️🌊 pic.twitter.com/sndjYUS6wO
— chloe x halle (@chloexhalle) July 3, 2019
» RELATED: Atlanta duo Chloe x Halle blazes new trail on Beyoncé's entertainment label
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