(June 27, 2019 – Source: Getty Images North America)
*Actress and singer Halle Bailey has been tapped to play Ariel in Disney’s live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid.”
Following the casting announcement, Oscar winner Halle Berry was one of several celebs to hit up social media to congratulate the 19-year-old actress
“In case you needed a reminder… Halles get it DONE,” Berry tweeted. “Congratulations @chloexhalle on this amazing opportunity, we can’t wait to see what you do! #TheLittleMermaid #HalleBailey”
Bailey will star opposite Melissa McCarthy, who is in talks to play the sea witch Ursula — a role that singer Lizzo is gunning to play.
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In case you needed a reminder… Halles get it DONE. Congratulations @chloexhalle on this amazing opportunity, we can’t wait to see what you do! #TheLittleMermaid #HalleBailey pic.twitter.com/z0Rik2nxRe
— Halle Berry (@halleberry) July 3, 2019
Bailey, known for the R&B duo Chloe x Halle with her twin sister — who also star on “Grown-ish” together — called her new gig a “dream come true” in a tweet following the big news.
“After an extensive search, it was abundantly clear that Halle possesses that rare combination of spirit, heart, youth, innocence, and substance — plus a glorious singing voice — all intrinsic qualities necessary to play this iconic role,” director Rob Marshall said in a statement. Production on the film is anticipated to begin in early 2020.
dream come true… ??♀️ pic.twitter.com/sndjYUS6wO
— chloe x halle (@chloexhalle) July 3, 2019
“The Little Mermaid” live-action remake will feature the 1989 animated classic’s original songs by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, as well as new songs with music by Menken and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda. TheWrap.com reports.
The original “The Little Mermaid” centers on teen princess Ariel, who dreams of living on the surface and marrying Prince Eric. A sea witch named Ursula offers to make her dreams come true in exchange for her beautiful voice. The animated feature won two Oscars for Best Original Score and Best Original Song for the track “Under the Sea.”
Meanwhile, racist Disney fans are blasting the decision to cast Halle as the first black Ariel, as noted by Daily Mail. Peep some of the reactions below:
thank you….for ruining another one of my child-hood Disney movie memories.
Yet…another movie I won’t be wasting my money on. When you care more about casting African Americans in movies for the publicity than the quality of a movie, it’s just sad.— Missy C (@girl_from_nj) July 4, 2019
— Vanessa Sánchez (@vane__sanchez_) July 4, 2019
Let’s just be real. Everything was similar, but they just screwed Ariel pic.twitter.com/lpcdMxfy6M
— jo__rji (@jo_rji) July 4, 2019
The actress cast as Ariel can sing, act, dance, and is beautiful. But racists (yes, that extreme irritation you feel is racism) are like MeRmAIds CaN’T Be bLacK!
Well, crabs can’t talk so we’re all stretching here. Shut up. https://t.co/Q5oAdwMU2a— Lamar Giles (@LRGiles) July 3, 2019
Go back and watch Princess and the Frog. Tell me how Tiana’s race was crucial to the backstory.
Watch the Little Mermaid, tell me how Ariel’s race is crucial to the backstory.I have time, I’ll wait.
— T’Child Get Out My Face (@BronzdBrownGirl) July 3, 2019
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