Why Ariel Being Black Matters So Much

On Friday, September 9th, 2022, movie Director Rob Marshall and singer/actress Halle Bailey showcased the new trailer for Disney’s Live-Action rendition of The Little Mermaid. 

Not only did the audience at the D23 expo react wonderfully, but I was personally super thrilled too! I watched the trailer multiple times and immediately texted my friends that we needed to see it. I was excited to see what Halle brought to the character, and I was even more excited for the representation. However, part of me was also very apprehensive because I already knew to expect the racist vitriol that would be coming. 

Unfortunately, it was instantaneous. The official trailer on YouTube was flooded with comments tearing Halle apart.  There were Comments like “It doesn’t make scientific sense for her to be Black” “Ariel is supposed to be Danish”, “Woke culture is racist. This trailer is racist”, “Will this Ariel have 4 inch fingernails and a bottle of hot sauce and ranch in her sea purse”. And it wasn’t limited to just YouTube. Across multiple platforms, people were furious that a fictional character was going to be played by a black woman.

Reactions had been everything from flat-out racist, celebratory or even dismissive. But something I’ve been seeing the most is “why does it even matter?” This came from both sides of the table, and there are some people who are genuinely curious. So let’s talk about it!

Representation Matters

I’m sure you’ve heard over the years about how much representation matters, but for some people, that might not mean much. Representation is a figure that goes on behalf of someone else. Oftentimes, this is done for vulnerable or mistreated populations that don’t receive much recognition. By having more representation, people are able to associate these groups in a different light. Unfortunately for minorities, their representatives in the media are rarely shown in a positive and encouraging light.

This is often true in the media. Even in Disney, there is a severe lack of positive Black main characters. Since 2000, Disney has released 92 animated movies, of which 62 of them have humans as main characters for at least part of the movie. Of that 62, only 3 of them have a Black person as the main character, and in all three of those movies, at least 60% of the movie is spent not being able to see the character’s Black skin color.

With Halle Bailey as the new Ariel, children and families will get to see themselves as a beautiful, creative, inquisitive, Black main character for the entirety of the movie. Not as a frog, a pigeon, or a blob, but as a beautiful mermaid with a skin tone similar to theirs!

In my own childhood, I remember being told “I can’t have a crush on you, you’re Black”, “he says if you weren’t Black, he would like you”, and “you’re ugly and burnt”. My experience is not a unique one; in fact, quite common. A lot of us can vividly remember being made to feel ugly because of the color of our skin. Even for Halle, there have been people saying, “Why is Ariel so ugly  or “ew, she’s too dark to play Ariel.” 

That’s part of what makes Halle’s casting so special. It’s not often that we get to see ourselves as the main character! An added layer of magic is that the movie is based on a fairy tale. We often get excluded from the world of fantasy. Ariel is already a princess in her own right and a mermaid! So getting to see ourselves depicted positively in a world of magic and wonder is pretty healing. For a new generation of little girls to see Ariel pursued by a handsome prince, even though her skin color is different, is a beautiful change of pace that is very needed. 

Racial Identity is not Central to the Movie

I’ve seen a lot of comments saying, “if Black Panther was recast with white people, you’d be mad”, and they are absolutely correct! However, this is because their racial identity is integral to the movie. It is centered around the idea that Black communities are often overlooked when it comes to prosperity and scientific advancement. This is not the case for The Little Mermaid.

Take, for example, Moana. That is rooted in Polynesian Culture. It would be inappropriate for the main character to be Black or White when the majority of Polynesian people are not of those races. However, if Elsa from Frozen were Black, it would be okay because the storyline does not focus on White culture.

No adjustments or storyline changes need to be made to accommodate Ariel being played by a Black actress. Ariel’s character has the personality of a relatively realistic teenager! It’s a nice break from the often trauma-centered narratives that are often in movies with black main characters.

Ariel’s character doesn’t need a backstory or justification for her race. It’s not the focus! Which only makes this even more empowering. She gets to just exist. To not feel like she owes anyone an explanation for getting to have fun and go on her adventures. It’s a welcome shift from the trauma-centered narratives Black characters get featured in. 

It’s almost like a quiet form of empowerment. It is inclusive without being in your face or changing a story people already know and love! Ariel’s worth, beauty, and power are affirmed without needing to overcome racial adversity. It gives Black girls permission to just exist. For a moment, they get to be curious, soft, bold, and magical. These experiences are too few and far between, so when we find them, it’s worth celebrating!

Recasting Based on the Actress’s Ability to Fill the Role

Recasting a princess of a different race has been done before beautifully. Disney has done a live-action remake of Cinderella with Brandy Norwood as the main character. To this day, it is still one of my favorite movies, not only because I got to see a princess who looked like me, but because Brandy did an incredible job! This will also be true for Halle Bailey, not only will she be a positive role model, but she has the talent to do justice to the character.

Halle is an experienced performer and has a voice that is quite reminiscent of the etherealness of Ariel’s. She has layers of emotional depth and vocal power that will do justice to the beloved character. Multiple producers and directors have said that her audition alone was mesmerizing! 

They were clearly very intentional with their casting. It seems like they prioritized a casting that was based on skill, heart, and presence. Which I think everyone should be grateful for. It shows that powerful roles can be held by people of all backgrounds. When talent and merit are prioritized, more doors open for underrepresented groups.

The Mistreatment of Halle and the Widespread Racial Trauma

I can’t imagine how Halle must be feeling. It was a dream come true to land this role. Yet all the attacks and abuse she’s receiving must be painful. No one should have to endure such nastiness for doing their job. The criticism she’s facing isn’t even about her performance. People are just focusing on her blackness! Being faced with the notion that no matter how much you put into your job, people will still criticize you because of the color of your skin.

Unfortunately, this isn’t unique to just this movie. This is a widespread phenomenon that is sadly ingrained into the culture of our country. It’s structural. The response to Halle’s casting continues to promote the idea that Blackness is incompatible with fantasy, purity, or lead roles. It also implies that whiteness is still the default or standard for beauty and storytelling. It echoes  broader experiences of exclusion, erasure, and being told “you don’t belong.”

Many Black viewers — especially women and girls — saw the backlash and felt a familiar pain. For myself, it hurts to see how much hate she is getting because of her skin color. I am significantly darker than Halle, so I can just picture the undue amount of abuse someone who looks like me would receive.

It is racist, belittling, and uncalled for, but not surprising. Time and time again, we see reactions like this when a Black person earns a positive and powerful position. Although it isn’t surprising, it is disappointing. Not even children’s movies are safe from the claws of racism. It reflects the broader racial trauma many Black people feel navigating public and professional spaces. A reminder of how media moments can be deeply personal and triggering.

If you’re someone who had something negative to say about Ariel being played by a Black actress, I hope this serves as a reminder that even if you’re “just” criticizing Disney or Halle. There are humans on the other end of it. And there are real people in your life who see these comments and may be affected by them.

For Black women, I hope you know that our joy, our stories, and our presence matter. It is always worth celebrating our accomplishments and successes. We are just as deserving of the spotlight, regardless of what others have to say about it. Healing comes from seeing our features as magical, worthy, and celebrated. To all the little girls who get to see themselves as a princess on the big screen, I’ll be singing right alongside you with tears in my eyes.

Ariel is Black, and it matters.

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