The Little Mermaid
has found its Ariel!
According to Walt Disney Studios’ official Twitter account, Halle Bailey is set to star in the live-action reimagining of the classic Disney film.
Halle Bailey is part of the music duo Chloe x Halle, so she’s no stranger to singing for the world to hear! She’s also appeared in a few shows and films, including Disney Channel’s Austin & Ally.
At the moment, no other casting decisions have been publicized for the film and no release date has been announced. But we do know that the retelling of The Little Mermaid will be helmed by Rob Marshall, while Alen Menken and Lin-Manual Miranda will contribute to the film’s music.
Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for future updates!
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Are you excited for the live-action version of The Little Mermaid? Let us know in the comments below!
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This is hugely bad continuity for the parks. Children will watch this then visit WDW & it will be confusing why Ariel is fair skinned with red hair on a ride, a show & a meet & greet.
They would never agree to a red head with light skin playing Princess Tiana & that would be just as bad a decision as this is.
Mickey Mouse wouldnt suddenly be pink & they wouldn’t cast a tiger as Mufasa (both in the cat family) I know that’s extreme but it makes the point.
Never having a character in 2 different places in one park is the kind of detail we love Disney for but totally changing the look of an existing loved character is a disappointingly poor decision from Disney.
I’m in full agreement of showing a range of Princesses in skin tone & hair colour but don’t switch them after they’re already well known & well loved.
I’m disappointed in Disney & I’ve NEVER said that before.
I’m going to be frank. There is no reason to be upset about a black actress being cast as Ariel that isn’t racist. You can justify it as much as you want, but at its core, its racism at work. Let little black girls enjoy seeing an Ariel that looks like them. Just because there’s Tiana now doesn’t mean that it’s magically “enough”. One black princess is not enough, not when compared to the overwhelming mass of white princesses (and no, Ariel being a redhead does not make this “discrimination against redheads”).
Stop being so hateful and just be happy that these kids are going to get to enjoy seeing a mermaid princess that looks like them on the big screen. You all should be ashamed of yourselves.
Ms. Bailey is a hugely talented and beautiful young woman, she simply isn’t Ariel.