Halle Bailey Discusses How Disney ‘Updated’ Ariel’s Character For ‘The Little Mermaid’ Remake: ‘We’ve Definitely Changed That Perspective Of Just Her Wanting To Leave The Ocean For A Boy’

Halle Bailey

Halle Bailey Discusses How Disney ‘Updated’ Ariel’s Character For ‘The Little Mermaid’ Remake: ‘We’ve Definitely Changed That Perspective Of Just Her Wanting To Leave The Ocean For A Boy’

Halle Bailey is opening up about the changes made to her character in the upcoming remake of The Little Mermaid.

Halle Bailey is set to play the classic underwater princess Ariel in the highly-anticipated Disney movie, which will be released in May.

During a recent interview, the Grammy-nominated singer assured fans that the remake is focused on “Ariel’s purpose” and “what she wants” and isn’t just about her falling in love.

Bailey reportedly shared,

“I’m really excited for my version of the film because we’ve definitely changed that perspective of just her wanting to leave the ocean for a boy. It’s way bigger than that. It’s about herself, her purpose, her freedom, her life and what she wants.”

Halle Bailey

She continued,

“As women we are amazing, we are independent, we are modern, we are everything and above. And I’m glad that Disney is updating some of those themes.”

On Monday (Mar.20) she took to Twitter to elaborate even more and let fans know she’s not against Ariel falling in love.

“in the original story those themes & qualities about ariel were always there..you will just see more of that side of her in our film i think. i’m not against falling in love y’all duhh hello lmao”

As previously reported, since landing the role of Ariel, Halle Bailey has been met with enormous criticism. During a separate interview, the actress discussed the online outrage she has received since being cast in the starring role of the Disney film.

According to reports, Bailey, 22, stated about the matter:

“As a black person, you just expect it and it’s not really a shock anymore.”

She continued:

“I never read my comments. Don’t ever read the comments…When the teaser came out, I was at the D23 Expo and I was so happy. I didn’t see any of the negativity.”

Halle Bailey

Following the first look teaser of the film, set to premiere May 26th, naysayers everywhere felt it necessary to express their dissatisfaction with Bailey’s casting. Some “lifelong” fans of the Disney film argued the live-action movie should directly reflect the 1989 cartoon. As you may know, the animation features the fictional mermaid character Ariel drawn as and voiced by a white woman.

Despite the negativity, the “Grown-ish” alum said the importance of her portrayal in the big-budget film outweighs any slander. She stated:

“People don’t understand that when you’re black there’s this whole other community…it’s so important for us to see ourselves.”

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below!

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