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At the D23 expo, Disney announced that actress and singer Halle Bailey from the R&B duo Chloe x Halle would be portraying Ariel in the live-action filmThe Little Mermaid.This was another addition to Disney’s long list of remakes of original films.
Related:This Is How The Little Mermaid Will Set Things Right Amid Disney Live-Action Criticisms
Many have called out the studio on its soulless remakes and token diversity, with this film being no different. But some have criticized the studio for casting a black person for the role, resulting in many nasty and racist tweets.
Fans suggest an alternative mermaid
According to a new tweet that has split fans,The Little Mermaid’sTV series already had a brown character, Gabriella, which it could use to make an original story. The tweet went on to criticize Disney for not working with original characters and stories and resorting to race-swap.
Instead of doing The Little Mermaid, why didn’t they just do The Frog Prince? They came up with a reasonable retelling in a good way. Was Tiana not good enough for a live action version or what?
— Venkman’s Girl (@VenkmanG)August 21, 2025
Read more:The Little Mermaid: People Got So Insulted With a Black Actor Playing Ariel That They Used AI To Turn Halle Bailey White
This has been what I have said the whole time. Yet people keep calling me racist for knowing this when they don’t.
— Chronlocke (@Chronlocke)August 08, 2025
Furthermore, some even pointed out that Disney did have a film filled with colored characters they could adapt, that beingThe Princess and the Frog.But this film was criticized for token appeasement that it didn’t represent the black community and the leads were frogs for most of the film.
Is there no pleasing the fans?
Considering the controversial nature of the tweet, many have come in defense of Disney while many have continued to ridicule the studio. Many believe the tweet to be a lost cause as Disney isn’t concerned withan original story as it would require creativity and passion.
https://twitter.com/abstractjwl/status/1569870686428229632
Also read:‘Just sobbed watching this’: Halle Bailey Tears up After New Video Shows the Little Mermaid Teaser Inspiring Young Black Girls to Become Disney Princesses
https://twitter.com/JayDarklighter/status/1569871496126005249
https://twitter.com/KuzcoInsomniac/status/1569873984392687617
Check out:‘Thank you for creating such a stunning film’: Original Ariel Voice Actor Jodi Benson Praises The Little Mermaid, Defends Halle Bailey Against Racist Trolls
They would have to come up with an original story. We all know they can’t do that anymore.
— Truthbomb (@Truthbo00022452)June 01, 2025
Some also pointed out that this would prevent Disney from“virtue signaling”their audience, furthermocking the studio concluding that it doesn’ttruly care about diversity and representation, but only about more money.
The Little Mermaidis expected to release on May 26 of 2023
Nikhil Makwana
Articles Published :270
Nikhil Makwana is a writer for FandomWire, with interests in DC comics, anime, indie films, independent films, and Nicolas Cage. He’s pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in BBA,LLB from IFIM Law School. When he’s not writing, he reads books such as the classic Dune series and existential essays from Albert Camus and Jean-Paul Sartre.
