Who would have actually thought that the ethnicity of a fictional fish, was the cause for so many people to throw their entire childhood existence away? If you didn’t think it was ever possible, just check out the trending hashtag. #NotMyAriel. Yes, that’s a real thing.
Before I get into the backstory, I want to take a moment to give a huge shout out and big congratulations to Halle Bailey for this role. In case you aren’t aware of who Halle is, she is the younger sister of Chloe, who, since 2006, together have amassed over 1 million YouTube subscribers, leaving fans in awe with their cover song renditions of artists like Rihanna, Alicia Keys and even Beyonce. Halle’s voice is actually a perfect choice for the role of Ariel. If you haven’t had a chance to check out her and Chloe’s YouTube channel, you can do so by visiting Chloe x Halle. Both sisters play in the sitcom "Grown-ish", which is a spin-off of "Black-ish". They have even earned Grammy nominations for best new artist and best urban contemporary album for their "The Kids Are Alright".
It was announced on Wednesday that the 19-year-old R&B singer has been selected by the movie's director Rob Marshall (Chicago, Mary Poppins Returns) to play the role.
"After an extensive search, it was abundantly clear that Halle possesses that rare combination of spirit, heart, youth, innocence, and substance—plus a glorious singing voice—all intrinsic qualities necessary to play this iconic role," said Marshall in a statement.
What is truly infuriating about this spoiled indignation are the countless petitions calling for a white replacement. It’s also infuriating to witness all the genuine outrage about the Disney version having a black main character, but nobody is talking about the dark and violent story that was the origin/inspiration for the Disney Movie in the first place. Let me spill some tea for a moment.
The Real Little Mermaid Story You Weren’t Told
Disney had made a brand for itself selling magical fairytales, which apparently, black women should never be allowed to have. As we have had countless stories handed down from generation to generation in our families, and ALL little girls looked at Cinderella and Snow White and the other princesses as role models, we never really knew the harrowing endings of the stories that Disney has adapted over the years. For now let's stick to the script.
In Hans Christian Andersen’s version of the tale, Ariel makes a deal with the sea witch in order to become a human and pursue the prince she saved in a shipwreck. She gets a pair of legs in exchange for her tongue.
However, part of the deal is that every step she takes with this new pair of legs will feel like walking on shattered glass. If Ariel gets her true love’s kiss, she can remain a human, but if she fails, she will die. The prince never actually saw Ariel’s face when she saved him, so he ends up marrying someone else. The sea witch tells Ariel she can just turn back into a mermaid instead of dying if she kills the prince.
Of course, Ariel cannot bring herself to do that. Instead, in dark Disney fashion, she throws herself into the ocean and dissolves into sea foam.
Needless to say, you can see why Disney needed to change it up a bit. The reason people are having a fit, so they claim, is The Little Mermaid is a Danish story, and Danish are known for their ginger haired roots. It's for THIS reason and this reason alone they claim that Halle Bailey's portrayal is offensive. (Insert eye roll). I'll be right back, one of them just rolled out of my head.
Witness Childhoods Disappear Before Your Eyes
Ok, I'm back and got both eyeballs back in place. I want to say to everyone, especially parents, you need to go and google all of the Disney movies inspired by dark and violent tales, right now, after what you just read. THAT is what ruins childhoods. Finding out the real story behind the fairy tails as adults. Letting companies like Disney profit off of tragedy turned fairy tail. But again, only for certain people, who look a certain way. Do you want to know what else can ruin a childhood? Under-representation of yourself growing up. It plays a huge part in one’s self confidence and self worth is loathsome and intolerant society, marked by years of deep-seated hatred and exclusion.
As of this writing Disney has put out over 140 films since 1937. Only 2 of them have ever had a black woman as the leading role. Brandy Norwood played Disney’s Cinderella as millions of little black girls watched with wide eyed amazement in 1997 and then 12 years later, a new generation of little black girls saw and animated Princess Tiana. So while everyone is out here having a temper tantrum, I’d like you to keep in mind these little facts.
Beyonce In the Building and The Business
Did you know that both Halle and her sister Chloe worked with Beyonce on the US portion of her and Jay's On The Run Tour II. Well, yes, she did. While I truly believe that Halle earned this on her own merit, I honestly believe that Halle had the support from Queen Be, behind the scenes with Disney. Making her the only obvious choice. Who else from the YouTube social media influencer space, has impressed Beyonce enough to be granted an opening act on her and her Jay's tour? I'll wait. (Queues up Jeopardy music).
In case you wonder why I am suggesting this, Beyonce, who will be portraying the voice of Nala, in Disney's classic adaptation of "The Lion King". Here you can see her and Nala face off in their movie premiere photos. So Yes, I say Bey is in the building and "the business". I wasn't the only one who noticed this either. #AndIOop
Some Positive Outcomes
To end on a positive note. It wasn’t all bad, and those on the right side of humanity and common sense turned up the support of Halle’s casting as Ariel, including the original Bad-ass Halle herself. Ms. Berry if you're nasty!
Keke Palmer had a PSA specifically for the trolls in which she announced on the Strahan and Sara talk show.
Lizzo just went to straight troll mode and adamantly claimed herself Ursula, the evil Disney character from The Little Mermaid.
And Zenadaya, well she's just here for it.
Whatever happens with this, I hope that Disney decides to to the right thing and ignore people burning their Ariel CDs along with their Nike gear. This is not about trying to silence one group of people. It’s about effectively putting out content that reflects the people who buy Disney products, who take their kids to Disney and spend an entire year’s salary they saved. That’s what it’s about. Anyone who has a problem with that might need to check their ego and their hood at the door.
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