Disney’s Halle Bailey ‘blindsided’ by troll racism after Little Mermaid casting

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Halle Bailey faced online hate when she was cast as Ariel, but thinks it’s inconsequential compared to what her grandparents went through in the Deep South

Halle Bailey attends the world premiere of Disney’s The Little Mermaid (FilmMagic)

Halle Bailey says the online trolling she received when she landed the role of Ariel pales in comparison to her grandparents’ experiences of racism in the Deep American South.

The Little Mermaid star said she was shocked by the outpouring of hate online after it was announced that she would be playing the fictional Disney character.

But she says she was able to put the despicable trolling into perspective by considering the racism her grandparents had to endure.

The singer was blindsided by the backlash against her casting when trolls accused Disney of “waking up” and spreading hate on social media via the hashtag #notmyariel.

The star was abused when she was cast as Ariel (Disney)

But Halle said: “When the negative comments started I was shocked because it wasn’t something I had really anticipated – at least not on this scale. Then I started thinking, ‘I’m from the Deep South, it’s not like this is the first time I’ve experienced racism’.”

Halle, who will soon also star in a remake of Alice Walker’s novel The Color Purple, said remembering the stories her grandparents told her helped her cope.

The 23-year-old said: “My grandmother used to see her family picking cotton and my grandfather remembers water fountains for whites only.

“When I think about the horrific experiences they’ve had, it makes a hashtag and some hate online seem totally inconsequential.”

Halle – who has been supported by Beyonce and Zendaya since rising to fame singing as a teenager – said she saw how the young girls connected to her character encouraged her to focus on the positives.

Separate drinking fountain used in the southern United States (Bettmann Archive)

She said: “Seeing the reaction of little black and brown girls seeing a different Ariel for the first time was so moving.

“There was this TikTok where this adorable little girl was like, ‘Mom, she’s brunette like me.’ I can’t put words to the encouragement that gave me.

Halle, who will make her theatrical debut as Ariel when the film is released on Friday, added, “To be able to bring Ariel to life was amazing.

“She’s one of those Disney princesses who stepped out of their comfort zone and really went after what they wanted in life. She’s got so much courage. I’m still young myself and tried to get out from my own comfort zone.

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