Halle Bailey has been chosen as the lead actress in the highly anticipated live-action remake of the beloved 1989 film. Disney announced last week that the “grown-ish” actress, who is also one half of the Grammy-nominated musical duo Chloe x Halle, had secured the coveted role. While the news was met with excitement by many, there were, as expected, naysayers who criticized the casting, expressing their displeasure with the idea of a black actress portraying the story’s iconic heroine, Ariel. The hashtag #NotMyAriel quickly trended on Twitter. However, the backlash was met with even louder support from fans and experts.
Jodi Benson, the original voice actress for Ariel in Disney’s animated musical, showed her support for Bailey during Florida Supercon. She emphasized the importance of being storytellers and connecting with the audience, regardless of external appearances such as race, nationality, or physical attributes. Diana Huey, a Japanese American actress who played Ariel in a 2017 touring production, also spoke out in defense of Bailey, urging her to stay positive and reminding her that she has more support than hatred.
Unfortunately, the backlash from internet trolls is all too predictable and tiresome. These individuals lack any real power and find solace in social media platforms where they can vent their frustrations and seek attention. Similar criticisms were made about the all-female cast of “Ghostbusters” in 2016 and Kelly Marie Tran, an Asian American actress, in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” in 2017. Despite their discontent, these detractors are inconsequential, and their negativity won’t hinder the success of the film. It’s essential to remember what things were like before the era of excessive online connectivity and not give racist individuals undue attention.
There is a long history of reimagining popular female characters with black women in leading roles. The 1978 movie “The Wiz,” an all-black adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz,” may not have been a box-office smash but has maintained cult classic status over the years. In the ’90s, Keshia Knight Pulliam starred in a well-received TV movie remake of “Pollyanna,” and Brandy took on the title role in ABC’s diverse production of “Cinderella” in 1997, co-produced by Whitney Houston. These projects received a positive reception and demonstrated that racial diversity can enhance storytelling.
While it’s important to address and combat racism, dedicating excessive attention and energy to internet trolls and their comments is unproductive. Proclaiming that racism is bad on social media platforms may earn some points, but it won’t silence the trolls or significantly contribute to the success of a project. The reactions to the backlash have included witty and humorous responses, such as memes featuring black movies with miscast white actors and vice versa. These reactions provide a gratifying escape from the empty-headed online critics but don’t bring about substantial social change.
In the face of adversity, it’s crucial to focus on the support shown to Halle Bailey and the creativity and humor displayed by fans. Giving too much power to the haters on Twitter accounts is unnecessary. Laugh, mock, buy your ticket, and protect your joy. Mute and move on.