Photo: @dylanbonner90; Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
Halle Baileyhas no time for haters.
“I feel like I’m dreaming and I’m just grateful and I don’t pay attention to the negativity,” she told the outlet while on the red carpet. “I just feel like this role was something bigger than me and greater and it’s going to be beautiful. I’m just so excited to be a part of it.”
When Disney first announced its casting of Bailey as Ariel, some internet commenters lashed out against the idea of a black woman in the role. Fans and stars were quick to rally behind the choice — including Jodie Benson, the original voice of Ariel in the 1989 animated classic.
She praised Disney’s decision while attending Florida Supercon in July.
“We need to be storytellers,” Benson continued. “And no matter what we look like on the outside, no matter our race, our nation, the color of our skin, our dialect, whether I’m tall or thin, whether I’m overweight or underweight, or my hair is whatever color, we really need to tell the story.”
“Yes. The original author ofThe Little Mermaidwas 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 read. “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,” the letter continued. “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.”
“Dream come true…,” shetweetedalongside the image of an Indian-American Ariel singing “Part of Your World” while waves crashed behind her.
AwkwafinaandJacob Tremblayare in talks to star as Scuttle and Flounder, respectively.Melissa McCarthyis also in talks to star as the sea witch Ursula.
source: people.com
