The Little Mermaid: Internet users protest against the choice of a black actress after the release of the trailer
Author: Clark Tos
2022-09-12 16:19:02
On Saturday September 10, the trailer for the adaptation of The Little Mermaid was unveiled, which sparked many reactions on social networks.
After having adapted The Lion King, Mulan or Dumbo in film, Disney will adapt a new cult cartoon: The Little Mermaid. The production of the live-action film ended a short time ago and a first trailer has been unveiled.
In a few minutes, we can see the depths of the sea and the little mermaid singing the first notes of “Leaving there” with a crystalline voice.
A rain of criticism against the actress
While many fans of the Walt Disney universe are impatiently awaiting the release of this film, others are upset about the choice of the actress. The little Mermaid will be played by Halle Bailey, an American actress and singer.
Photo credit: Disney Studios
If this choice does not please many Internet users who have expressed their dissatisfaction on Twitter , it's basically because the actress is black and her physique is much different from the pallor and red hair of Ariel in the Disney cartoon.
why does the girl from the film ariel, she in no way resemble the little mermaid? pic.twitter.com/HXPwy4U8Sp
– Compte fan of @elibiche_ (@loloignon) September 10, 2022
the little mermaid the movie with a mestizo Ariel I think it spoils the whole cartoon, it's as if they were doing 'the princess and the frog' with a white Tiana or The Lion King with a tiger..
— qwerty (@m4oui) September 11, 2022
So I have nothing against black people
— Claa_ms (@ms_claa) September 3, 2022
But the little mermaid is white so if you make a film on the little mermaid respect the cartoon please pic.twitter.com/S2N2to3KtX
To find it ridiculous to have put a mestizo to represent Ariel in the little mermaid is not racist. Wanting to put people of color in any role just destroys the authenticity of the original work, that's all. pic.twitter.com/72C5x3EN4a
— Margaux (@margomezhale) September 10, 2022
No resemblance to the little mermaid mdr https://t.co/M2YZJaE6yq
— Rita (@ritaponceau) September 10, 2022
Internet users defend Halle Bailey
If the choice of the actress has created a lively controversy, many Internet users have rushed to defend Halle Bailey and to support that the choice of Disney was excellent. Calling the protesters racist, these netizens said it was important for black people to be represented in pop culture and that this actress was perfect for the role.
Mulan is the heroine of a Chinese legend it's normal that they take a Chinese. The Little Mermaid takes place under the sea there is nothing real so why not take a black one?
— M.queen9 (@Mari___lord) September 10, 2022
The racist argument about the role of Halle and The Little Mermaid seriously pisses me off. Frankly, the questioning of the existence of black people in pop culture really hurts me. It pisses me off but it hurts me.
— M I L F Y (@kiinkymell) September 11, 2022
The white people stop being indignant in front of the little mermaid who is already black, she is incrrrr and you are making us look like big racists while personally I find it very good that little girls of mixed race and black then identify with a princess.
— Eniram_curvy (@SeysMarine1) September 12, 2022
I am currently crying for the little mermaid because it is my favorite cartoon and the fact that she is black in the film gives me confidence in myself and I would have certainly had a better childhood if the character in the cartoon was black …
— Liza Monet « Sensei » (@MonetLiza1) September 10, 2022
How cool are the videos of little black girls watching the Little Mermaid trailer and finally identifying?
'Jessica Taieb?' (@jessicataieb) September 12, 2022
(As long as we do a Disney live action, it doesn't matter who plays the character, it can't be like 'your childhood'!)
Long before its release, The Little Mermaid is therefore at the heart of a great debate. You will have to wait until May 24, 2023 to see this film in the cinema and form your own opinion.