Debate as Black singer Halle Bailey stars as Ariel in 'The Little Mermaid' movie

Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” movie is making waves on social media after singer Halley Bailey’s role as Ariel was revealed.

The live action trailer of the new Ariel swimming under the sea and singing “Part of Your World” was met with reactions, mostly based on the Fictional characters black skin tone.

For generations, Disney had only considered white characters for inclusion in their stories. This was not until the 90’s when the corporation began to include non-white princesses including, Mulan (Chinese), Raya (South East Asian), Moana (Polynesian), Pocahontas (English) and Powhatan), Jasmine (Arabian) and Tiana (African-American).

While many people are anticipating this fresh take on the animated series, many others are baffled as to why Ariel, who featured in the first movie as White, is now Black.

There have been debates on various social media platforms on whether Ariel’s skin tone should have remained white.

On the flip side there have been videos circulating on social media platforms such as TikTok, showing numerous Black girls “blind reacting” to the trailer which includes a 90-second long glimpse at the new Ariel.

“Her skin looks just like mine,” said another while other girls exclaimed in zeal.

But would Black people would react negatively if a traditionally Black character was turned into a white Character?

For Example, what if T’Challa would be White in the movie ‘Black Panther’.

Perhaps a counterargument to that would be that making a white man king of a well-resourced African nation would turn Black Panther into a coloniser story.

A black Ariel however does not change the plot of the movie.

Perhaps the other question would be whether only white actors and actresses should be offered roles in the remakes of classics and whether a new movie with a Black mermaid would have a chance at doing the same kind of numbers and get the same exposure as a live action version of an iconic classic

Disney first unveiled the sneak peek of the new film at its D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, in September 2022.

The film also features Melissa McCarthy will be starring as the sea witch named Ursula. According to Deadline, McCarthy’s version of Ursula will be Ariel’s “evil aunt”.