What do you think of the little mermaid being played by a black actress?

[JustinTheGreat]

So a lot of people are talking about this and I’m a little late so I’m sure it was already asked on here but I’m asking anyways.

Disney is remaking The Little Mermaid as a live action movie (like they’re doing with literally ALL of their movies)
and Ariel is being played by Halle Bailey, who is black and people are upset I guess because she doesn’t look like Ariel.

Me personally I don’t care because Ariel’s story has nothing to do with her race. It doesn’t effect the storyline at all. As long as she has the iconic red hair.
I understand that people want Ariel to look... like Ariel. But at the same time, it’s not that serious... it’s just a movie. Get over it lol

[Unkowngirl]

These answers pissed me off, so I’ll tell it from a black girls view. We waited years for Princess Tiana, and by the time she was out and about I was already half way through my childhood. I want kids now and later in the future to look at these princesses and see themselves. Growing up I always wished to have blonde hair and blue eyes, just so I could look like Cinderella. It differs a lot from me now, a proud young black woman. Now when it comes to the Ariel being black, I’m in full support, because Ariel’s skin has nothing to do with the actual plot of the story. I also saw someone say this was a double standard and people would be outraged if Tiana, the only black princess, was played by a white woman. I disagree, Tiana’s was based off of a black woman Leah Chase, who during the 1920’s, when racial prejudices were very prevalent managed to open her very own Creole restaurant in New Orleans, which is still open to this day. Therefore, If Tiana, again our only black princess, was made to be another race, the circumstances would be vastly different. I’ll stop my tangent now, but I had to clear all that up. Congrats to Halle!

[Draxxi]

So to do that, you think it's okay to steal that from a white actress instead of organically creating a unique, strong, and independent black princess? We should be upset that Disney isn't giving us A NEW black princess with her own life and lore. How would you feel if they cast a white girl as live action Tiana?

[PrinceOfAljazeera]

another angry black girl😂

[Unkowngirl]

@Draxxi It’s not stealing, since Ariel being white has nothing to do with the plot. Not to mention they have sleeping beauty and Cinderella.

[Unkowngirl]

@PrinceOfAljazeera Nope. Just a proud black woman who’s expressing her take on things. You’re allowed to have the opinion that I’m angry, and I’m sure it brought comfort to your hurt ego when you read my completely rational answer. I hope you have a blessed day and live a meaningful life.

[Draxxi]

You didn't answer the most important part. What if they cast a white girl for live action Tiana?

[Unkowngirl]

@Draxxi It would be different, because Tiana is based of an actual black woman, Leah Chase, who during the 1920’s, a time when racial discrimination was at great heights, managed to open her own Creole restaurant in New Orleans, which is still open today. Did you even read my original reply to the question? Or did you just come to argue?

[Draxxi]

I didn't come to argue, I agree that poc need more representation in the media wholeheartedly, but not by refining a previously white character. That's like saying "you're not worth our creative effort to come up with an original idea, we're just going to edit an established character." I'm saying a black Disney princess deserves her own character,

[Unkowngirl]

@Draxxi Whatever works for you. I’m all for diversity in Hollywood, so Halle wins.

[PrinceOfAljazeera]

ofc you are happy finally a black mermaid something black people been waiting for years innit , always wants what white people have

[Draxxi]

Yeah, figured there was no use talking logic and common sense here. But you don't get to complain when people finally get fed up with the theft of white movie roles in the name of "diversity" It isn't diversity if it's forced and stolen. Dr. King would roll over in his grave if he were alive today.

[JDavid25]

@Draxxi Well true.. @Unkowngirl is the only one I see here with some logic and common sense so far.. Lol..

[Emmalouise03]

Girl, how would you feel if belle was asian? No.

[Draxxi]

I'm done with this thread. It's like talking to a wall. Apparently, according to a black woman, black women don't deserve organic original characters... But they can steal from whitey...

[Unkowngirl]

@Emmalouise03 Belle can be Asian, because race isn’t a factor in beauty and the beast.

[Emmalouise03]

but they made her white so, they made ariel white too, they even make it pretty clear what country it's supposed to be in, it's the most accurate, which is really important for a good movie... Ariel is supposed to be in denmark, belle is supposed to be in france, elsa and anna are supposed to be in arendal in norway. they cannot make elsa and anna Asian if they're norwegian...

[Emmalouise03]

I bet there weren't a tons of Asians in france anyway, and probably not black mermaids in denmark lol. why would disney make belle white? because she's from france which equals =white, in general...

[sarahbear1750]

The Little Mermaid was a big part of my childhood, and, it seems to me like Hollywood is making a black little mermaid in order to push their political “diversity” agenda. If the live action Mulan or Princess Tatiana in Princess and the Frog was played by a white person, I guarantee you people would have a problem with it. So why should this be any different? Ariel is white, and should therefore be played by a white person.

If you wanna create more diversity in Disney , just create new princesses and new Disney characters. Why recreate something that’s carved in stone?

[7p3ue7]

Well said and I agree, but it's cheaper for them as they don't have to have an entirely new script written and they know a new generation of kids will want to see it as it's a proven winner. The young "racially aware, right on" parents will want their children to be inclusive and racially aware. The next version will be LGBTQ+ and aimed at 7 year olds, don't beleive me? Just wait and see. A minority taking over the world.

[goaded]

Fish get vitamin D from food, such as plankton, and store it in their livers, so they don't need light skin. :)

Have you read the original story? It's pretty damn dark.

"“We have given our hair to the witch,” said [the mermaids], “to obtain help for you, that you may not die to-night. She has given us a knife: here it is, see it is very sharp. Before the sun rises you must plunge it into the heart of the prince; when the warm blood falls upon your feet they will grow together again, and form into a fish’s tail, and you will be once more a mermaid, and return to us to live out your three hundred years before you die and change into the salt sea foam. Haste, then; he or you must die before sunrise. Our old grandmother moans so for you, that her white hair is falling off from sorrow, as ours fell under the witch’s scissors. Kill the prince and come back; hasten: do you not see the first red streaks in the sky? In a few minutes the sun will rise, and you must die.” And then they sighed deeply and mournfully, and sank down beneath the waves. "
http://hca.gilead.org.il/li_merma.html

[WalterBlack]

The little mermaid is a fictional carachter. If the story was about a person who existed in real life, then I think Disney would have a duty to represent her accurately. But in this case, the identity of the carachter is open to interpretation. Some stage productions of Peter Pan had young women play the lead carachter who is a boy. (That was way before all the gender politics of this modern era). Is that such a big deal? Remember when we were kids and we played make-believe? You could be whoever you wanted to be - there are no rules. The little mermaid is make-believe so people shouldn't get so uptight about it.

[StingRayxoxo]

Mermaids aren't even real... so no. If race was important to the story line, maybe.

[strateguy632]

IF they let girls feel like "tiana looks like me" for frog princess 2009 , using alternate actors, at same time, they can equally swap ariel with baily for ariel for that same reason (or even for more absurd: non-white snow white. as absurd as a white black panther in name, but actor j. depp for name blak panther.)

the real problem, you asker missed, "it’s not that serious... it’s just a movie. Get over it" is not only: that didn't work when people complained no black movie stars... could people say that? "it’s just a movie, not serious. Get over it" nope. but more importantly is...

the time n the order.

not trying to please girls "tiana looks like me" with a white but the first swap is PANDER to #minorities, in snow wyt n mermaid. that is the big mess.

why can't all kids be barbie n ariel of the original versions? see themselves? that attitude "need to look like me" is the bad racism n division.

really just to manipulate "our" group get the salary n fame... but that attitude separated "our" from white is also #racist!

this is not just about a princess.

nobody is planning a white axel star for a remake of beverly hills cop!

it is one -way, due to... pandering. that is the problem. n it is forgivable by minority as above if "our guy gets the fame n salary."

[EpicDweeb]

Here's my thinking... so long as she has the hair she can look like Arial. If her skin was darker though it wouldn't make logical sense. Mermaids (at least the ones portrayed in the Little Mermaid) aren't the ones who spend their days sitting on rocks luring sailors in so they can drown and eat them. They live under the water so it doesn't make sense that their skin would develop any sort of high melanin content. Like... they wouldn't need it and their bodies wouldn't produce it. Like that sounds picky, but it just doesn't seem like it'd fit. If she's the only black actress playing a mermaid in the movie though I think it could work really well as a way of displaying how, unlike the other mermaids, she actually DOES spend time up near the surface to the point where she's developed darker skin.

[Anet1256]

people would totally flip if an originally black character was played be a white person. So I don’t get why it shouldn’t work the same way vice versa. Imagine if Disney announced that princess Tiana will be played by a white girl with blond hair and blue eyes. This is the same thing. I’m all for racial equality but I think they should stick to the original characteristics of (at least) the main characters.

[RoyalFlushAce]

They definitely would flip over that. It is a double standard.

[NatashaJ]

That's because liberals have a agenda to make white people look "evil" to get votes in federal elections.

[RoyalFlushAce]

@NatashaJ Your Trump mermaid made me laugh lol. You are right liberals have an agenda but to be honest most elections are rigged anyway. Both sides are the same Democrats and Republicans that you see on TV are all liberals working towards the same goal it is fake fighting. Trump and Hillary are very good friends their whole battle in 2016 was a joke and rigged.

[NatashaJ]

Not really, USA has just dumb elections laws. But more liberals are saying too. Their side is becoming so toxic there no way they win next election. Chris Crocker made a video saying this and he got attack by liberals because it's the truth!.

[RoyalFlushAce]

@NatashaJ No really presidents are not even elected they are selected. Trump and Hillary are good friends it was just a show for us. They probably had dinner every night laughing at us. Think of it like pro wrestling fake feuds for the people to watch but they are all on the same page behind the scenes.

[JDavid25]

It's not the same thing because first off "White" people have stolen plenty of roles from POC, and secondly you still have plenty of "White" Princesses.. One ain't goin to hurt anybody.. You see tryna make it equal but it's really not..

[Anet1256]

@JDavid25 Same as you wouldn’t probably want princess Tiana or Mulan to be inaccurately represented by white girls I don’t want my childhood favourite princess to be represented by a girl that looks nothing like the original character. (The little mermaid is originally Danish, the storyline is happening on a Northern coast of Denmark in 1800s century, my point is, a “typical” 1800s century Scandinavian girl is now represented by a black girl, not accurate) 🤷🏻‍♀️ I get your point thou. I know that scenarists are white washing some characters in movies and I think it’s wrong.

[JDavid25]

Well there's only one "Black" and "Chinese" Princess.. And they social groupin is important to they character.. Ariel bein a "White" Mermaid is not... It just so happen that she was "White".. I heard in the original Danish version Ariel looked more like an actual fish girl.. Meanin green and probably kina scaley.. So, even the Disney remake ain't accurate to the Danish material.. LOL.. Also the Disney remake was a Carribean vine to it..

[Anonymous]

I don't love it when things aren't as according to the original. Whether it's a book turned into a movie or whatever, I want the cast and story line to stay as to the original as possible. I'm not overly worked up over the change and I'm still gonna watch it, but I can kinda see why others are. Can you imagine the outrage there'd be if Ariel was originally black in the animated series, and then they cast a white actress? Considering the outrage there'd be if it was reverse, I can understand the annoyance there is over the change now.

[treetreena]

I think she’s perfect for the roll! She has the beauty of a mermaid and a voice a siren should have. I can’t think of a young white female singer with the same talent as her. There is Ariana grande, but she doesn’t have the innocence factor the little mermaid should have. I feel like is beautiful to have a dark skin girl playing this role to show little girls that these stories can look like anyone and these are fun fictional characters with morals that should appeal to all people. however, I will say that although this is indeed a fictional character the little mermaid is European folklore, therefore perhaps I can understand why white people would want the character to be white because it’s apart of there culture. I don't know lol but I mean she’s damn pretty and her voice is spectacular she screams mermaid 🧜🏾‍♀️💕

[JDavid25]

I agree with you... Although Halle Bailey is not dark skinned.. She actually looks kina light.. I would say at most she is Brown skinned..

[Miss_COLORADO]

I think it’s so dumb! Don’t come at me with being racist for I have a Hispanic boyfriend... but Ariel is white with red hair, that’s her character and it needs to stay that way! I do definitely think they should make another African American princess! It’s a compromise

[Tslaveee]

Shaquanda princess of the Nile who rides her pet hippo

[Miss_COLORADO]

I think you’re on to something...

[JDavid25]

You havin a Hispanic boyfriend means nothin.. 😂😂.. Even if he was "Black" it wouldn't mean you ain't racist..

[Miss_COLORADO]

I’m pretty sure it would. Someone who’s racist wouldn’t be with another race. It makes perfect sense.

[Miss_COLORADO]

You mad dumb

[JDavid25]

No racist people get with other races all the time.. Also, you are with a Hispanic guy, but that don't mean you ain't racist toward "Black" people.. Lol..

[Miss_COLORADO]

Well I’m not raciest at all, I’m just saying that would be like if we made princess Tiana from Princess and the Frog a white girl with blonde hair. Like that’s the character so just leave it that way.

[JDavid25]

I didn't say you were racist... I don't think everybody who don't like the castin is.. Unreasonable? Yeah.. Racist? Not always.. But Tiana is different from Ariel.. Because Ariel just so happen to look like a red haired pretty girl.. But it wasn't apart of her character.. Tiana was based on a real person.. They just put a Disney princess spin on her.. Plus, Tiana was a frog for most of the movie so... Yeah.. 😂..

[clampfan101]

It’s true her story has nothing to do with her race, but neither do many other princesses. It’s about recreating the Disney version of the characters. I find black women very attractive as well, but it still doesn’t work. My main issue though is actually her face. It’s pretty, but simply doesn’t feel like Ariel’s. And yes, I know it’s just a movie, but it’s one of Disney’s greatest classics. (Plus Ariel’s my favorite Disney Princess and simply one of my favorite Disney characters period. I can’t help but be super judgmental about that.)

[Ellie-V]

I shared my thoughts on this take if you’re interested in reading:

Oh yes, another #NOTMYARIEL rant 😄 ↗

[doublemintdave]

It's more upsetting to me that Hollywood constantly relies on nostalgia for easy profit by remaking decades old movies rather than coming up with new ideas.

[MzAsh]

I think nostalgia is now a subculture that basically says “hey remember when things didn’t suck?” Also Hollywood is out of original ideas. I wish I was a screenwriter. This mind has some wicked ideas I could throw on the table.

[naijagurl]

I don’t think it’s that big of a deal and I’m sure she’ll make a great Ariel but at the same time I don’t see the point in changing her ethnicity. To me when it comes to remakes it’s important to keep the characters as close to the originals as possible. I understand the black community wanting more representation but why not create our own stories and movies? What is there to gain from piggybacking off of other movies?

[GraveDoll]

I totally agree.

[Britantic]

Sounds like Disney think black kids watch movies more than white kids.
It's time for black people to stop taking the movie roles of minorities.

[Little21]

As long as she can sing the parts, who cares? And this girl has the voice of a disney princess.
A lot of people are pissed because they're saying Ariel represented gingers, but she had kool aid red hair 😂 you could slap a red wig on anyone and call it a day.
Halle will do great

[Anonymous]

If her skin color is so meaningless to the story then why change it in the first place? You'd skip all the controversy people would drum up and things would be business as usual. Though we can't have interesting original ethnic characters. We gotta change established ones because its fuck loads easier than writing a new one. That and you get the added benefit of a easy political circle jerk at the mear mention of "diversity", "social justice". Why can't we just make new interesting Disney princess stories who have a diffrent ethnic back ground? I'm sure people wouldn't get anywhere near as pissy and disney would make a boat load of money. Hell I'd even give it a watch!

[Opinion Owner]

I really liked Moana, why can't we get more stuff like that?

[erykahwils9n]

Well I'm 75 black 25 white I like both Ariels either way I'm comfortable I think it would be a new cool beginning seeing a black version of Ariel I always love the white one too but times are changing so I say I still watch I mean green lantern was black when my dad was growing up but I'm 19 so in this new generation I have known green lantern to be a white man just like I liked storm with Halle berry the biracial actress but I always love marvel comics and etc...😊😍 i support change but the truth is Ariel has always been a white woman with red hair so as African American i thought we should of came with a new princess tho but its the person scripted so guess they did what they wanted.

[NatashaJ]

I am only piss that people are just painting white people who don't like the idea as racists. People are allow to say a valid point against this. White washing is not okay but this is? Liberals are dumb nowadays.

[NatashaJ]

Also weird how people support this and yelling racists at other people. Where were these people support for princess and the frog? A shit ton of people hated that movie for no reason. Which is why that movie did poorly. Weird how they don't even support the black princess they already have but want to turn a white princess into a black princess to support that movie.

[NatashaJ]

Almost like these people are stupid as hell

[Tslaveee]

Almost like these people are trying to revise history

[NatashaJ]

^ or hate white people so much they want to erase them from main stream media when white people are everywhere.

[JDavid25]

Some of them are racist.. But also the fact thattheyare outraged about this is pretty biased really.. And how do you know some of those people wasn't defending "Princess and the frog" back in the day? Were you one of them while you are sittin up here talkin? Also it's the "White" castin directors who chose Halle.. So yeah settle down..

[NatashaJ]

@JDavid25 1. I know they didn't support princess and the frog that movie flop bad a lot of people hated it. So you clearly don't know what your talking about or you don't know anything at all about that movie drama back when it filmed. 2. Funny how you saying I'm being biased, maybe because I don't count the trolls that are trying to get attention by being racist? majority of people who are mad are not being racist at all so try again I'm not being biased. Also, I wasn't the one hating on this movie of princess and the frog I didn't think it was going to be good until I watch it and I was the one asking people why they didn't like and they should give that movie a chance. So yeah you need to sit down and don't tell me to settle down when I am just stating my opinion lol. I don't give a shit what you say because we both know this movie is going to flop or be ok it's not going to be great so whatever bye.

[JDavid25]

You actually don't know that.. Just because the movie flopped don't mean they didn't support it.. This is barely a hundred people.. And I never said anything about you bein biased.. You must have read another one of my comment or answers.. Lol.. And I didn't say you couldn't state yo opinion.. I said settle down because you are out here callin people dumb and stupid simply becausethey support this decision.. So don't make it sound like I'm tryna silence you.. Lol.. And I never said you were the one hatin.. I asked if you were one of the people who supported it..

[NatashaJ]

I'm calling people stupid because everyone who has valid reason to be upset are call racists. If white washing is not okay black washing shouldn't be either.

[JDavid25]

There's no valid reason to dislike the castin so much.. Sayin the movie is ruined for you is pretty racist.. And I didn't say you said that.. I was speakin in general.. And "White washin" is not okay because in the past "White" people took all the roles for POCs.. Even recently that happened and nobody cared or very little people did.. So you really can't compare the two.. There's still plenty of "White" characters to adapt..

[NatashaJ]

@JDavid25 You can't say I said the movie was ruin I didn't that is other people. I refuse to see any movie in theaters because I can get it for free on netflix I just have to wait. But when people bring up how is this not racist? but if white girl replace a black character it is? that's where this anger is coming from people are being painted as racist when they bring this up. by the way a ton of black people are speaking out too they don't like this bullcrap either. Some even say "why are black people okay we are getting this scrap from white Hollywood how about we have another black princess". I think that argument is way better and I rather watch a brand new black princess then a story I already seen.

[JDavid25]

That's why I said that I wasn't talkin about you when I made that statement... Lol.. And I already explained how it's not.. 1. Because the castin directors are most likely "White".. 2. Because of the history of "White" washin.. And that may be where the anger is comin from, from you but not from many other people as I've seen.. And yes I know a lot of "Black" people are also against it.. That don't make what they say right.. LOL.. They could be just as jaded and bias as the rest of the people against this.. People. get called racist for all types of stupid ish.. "White" people do it too.. And I agree that I would like to see a new Disney "Black" princess.. But Disney already met they quota wit that.. 😂😂.. They could remake the princess and the frog but I'm sure nobody wants to see the "Black" woman turn into a frog the whole movie..

[SueShe]

I fear that Disney, like many other movie companies are faced with group pressure to include the LGBTQ+ community and ethnic minorities in their main characters so that they are not sued for whatever reason the pressure groups will come up with.

It is a fashionable thing nowadays to put pressure on anyone to make the voices heard.

Regardless whether the movie will be a blockbuster or most probably a total failure, the essential is that the companies avoid fines for some trivial reasons.

[Tslaveee]

Well I suggest you look up who the 6 Media Conglomerates in America are. They control 90% of all media you see. Hint one of the 6 is Disney and their ideology goes along with 3 others - Comcast, National Amusements and Time Warner

[1truekhaleesi]

If people are upset about her being black, they’re going to be pissed when they hear about Jesus. 😂

I’m excited to see it. She has a beautiful voice and she looks gorgeous. People get wound up over nothing.

[Tslaveee]

Jesus - A brown (not black) male born during the Pox Romana who died a martyr for Christianity which when adopted into Europe as the prominent religion was white washed to look like all other inhabitants of Europe.

Ariel - A female princess mermaid who was created to have white skin - not changed.

No correlation other than the projection of race. You can sound as wholesome as you want but at the end of the day you liberals lack brain cells. To the point where y’all can’t function in society

[1truekhaleesi]

@Tslaveee they're both fictional characters so they're a bit related. 😀 Jesus was born in the Middle East. IF he existed, he likely had a turban on and a tan. In the Bible, he was also a socialist hippie. In Ariel, the crab has a Jamaican accent. 😅 Also in the cartoon starri

[1truekhaleesi]

@Tslaveee starring Ariel there is a black mermaid. Mermaids are a fictional species. In the original story her skin was green (and she was supposed to murder the prince) so she can be whatever color she wants.

[Minnie2070]

At first i was unsure about it. Before people jump at me iam not racist. But i didn't see her as ariel cause they look nothing alike. However when I heard the original voice actress for ariel has gave her the thumbs up. I thought well maybe we should give her a chance first and see how it goes.

[Bananaman177]