The New Black Ariel, Halle Bailey Plays the Role Of The Little Mermaid
Halle Bailey will play Ariel in The Little Mermaid. When Ariel first splashed onto movie theater screens nationwide nearly 30 years ago, the heroine of Disney's animated film The Little Mermaid had a distinctive look. Enormous blue eyes dominated a porcelain-skinned face framed by a luxurious mane of bright red hair. Her only article of clothing was a purple bra top made of seashells, and instead of legs, she sported a light green fishtail. But in the studio's new live-action remake of the 1989 movie, the rebellious undersea princess will depart from her classic appearance. Last week, Disney announced that Halle Bailey, a black actress, and R&B singer, will play Ariel in the upcoming film, which is slated to begin production in early 2020. The news was met with a flood of praise from celebrities including Mariah Carey, Halle Berry, and Chrissy Teigen, and many fans. However, it also prompted protests from some who were upset by the deviation from the ...