There’s been a lot of discussion about the young actress Halle Bailey playing the part of Ariel in the “The Little Mermaid”. Most of the conversation has centered around race. evidently some are upset that a Black woman is playing the character and others are upset that someone is upset. I don’t have any strong opinions on the matter but I’ve enjoyed the jokes and memes on social media surrounding our new Little Mermaid.
It’s always nice to see Black actors getting opportunities but aside from that I don’t care about this. I don’t take much interest in anything Disney related. I had never heard of Halle before. And I’m not one to take a lot of pride in a Black character being added to an all White cast of a TV show. It actually bothers me that Hollywood remakes films and they think they are being edgy by making a male character female, a White character Black or by making everybody gay. Ooooohhhhh.
While wasting time on You Tube the other day I ran across a few videos featuring Halle Bailey and her sister. I was instantly charmed. Halle Bailey is perfect. All of these people that are debating and making think pieces on this matter have sold Halle short because I didn’t hear any of them describe her as perfect until I saw this. Please watch.
Halle is the one in the red jogging suit. She is young, innocent, pure and sweet as pie. She sings like a bird and has a face like a baby doll. Disney could not have done better if they grew this girl in a lab and raised her themselves to star in their film. She was born for this and she is going to kill it. I think this will be legendary.
Her sister is lovely as well so Disney might as well put her in the film too since Ariel had a bunch of sisters. Are there more Bailey sisters? We need more! Tell me about their dad. Is he a singer? Cast him. He’s a good man and he deserves it.
Unfortunately race is a big issue in the world but I bet Disney casting agents didn’t even think of race when considering Halle for this role. I’ll bet it was an afterthought; like “oh yeah do we care that she’s Black and the cartoon isn’t? Nah me neither.”
I have a hard time imaging that there are many more young women out there who can fit the bill as well as Halle. I had no intention of seeing this movie but now that I’ve seen how talented this young star I’m actually interested. My big question is how are they going to make a live action movie about sea people? That should be the real conversation.
Shannon in Kansas City YT: KC Bible Study IG: @showmeshannon Twitter: kcshannonlee1 