Of course, when someone of a different race gets cast for a (quote on quote) “white” role, the Internet goes crazy. People have argued that since the story of The Little Mermaid is Danish, that means she’s supposed to be white. That is not the case here, folks.
Freeform took to Instagram on Saturday to let the racists (yes, racists) know that to claim the Danish argument is weak.
“Yes. The original author of ‘The Little Mermaid’ was Danish. Ariel…is a mermaid,” the post says.
It continues with, “But for the sake of argument, let’s say that Ariel, too, is Danish. Danish mermaids can be black because Danish *people* can be black. Ariel can sneak up to the surface at any time with her pals Scuttle and the *ahem* Jamaican crab Sebastian (sorry, Flounder!) and keep that bronze base tight. Black Danish people, and thus mer-folk, can also *genetically* (!!!) have red hair.”
The post finishes by saying that Ariel is, once again, a fictional character. Therefore, her skin color can be absolutely anything. And given Bailey’s singing voice, it sounds like she’s going to nail the role.
Still have doubts about Bailey as Ariel? Watch the video below and try not to get excited about what that voice will bring to the role.
