'Princess in every single way': Looking back at Halle Bailey's message to young viewers amidst 'Little Mermaid' backlash

For Halle Bailey, nabbing the coveted role of Ariel in the live-action remake of Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' was a dream come true. However, the waves of negativity that followed the announcement were uncharted waters for the rising star.

From #NotMyAriel to Empowering Young Girls

Back in 2019, the internet was abuzz with the news of Bailey's casting. While many celebrated the bold, inclusive step Disney was taking, some were unable to envision a Black Ariel, sparking the contentious #NotMyAriel social media campaign.

Despite the public outcry, Bailey remained steadfast, finding comfort in her grandparents' support and the broader implications her casting held for the community. "It was an inspiring and beautiful thing to hear their words of encouragement, telling me, 'You don’t understand what this is doing for us, for our community, for all the little Black and brown girls who are going to see themselves in you,’” she said during Variety's "Young Hollywood" special.

"Things that seem so small to everyone else, it's so big to us"

The 'Grown-ish' star, who forms one half of the music duo Chloe x Halle with her sister Chloe Bailey, further shared her hopes for the potential impact her casting could have on young viewers. “I want the little girl in me and the little girls just like me who are watching to know that they’re special, and that they should be a princess in every single way."

Bailey also reflected on the impact of seeing a person of color as the iconic Ariel, might have had on her as a child. "What that would have done for me, how that would have changed my confidence, my belief in myself, everything,” Bailey confided. "Things that seem so small to everyone else, it's so big to us.”

'The Little Mermaid' was released on May 26, 2023. Indeed, Halle Bailey's journey serves as a testament to the changing tides of Hollywood representation and the powerful ripple effect of seeing oneself on the big screen.

Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.