Disney fans claim they lost ‘natural’ redhead icon with Ariel casting

News of Disney casting Halle Bailey as Ariel for its live-action remake of The Little Mermaid continued to trend throughout Thursday and Friday morning when the hashtag #NotMyAriel gained momentum on Twitter.

The hashtag mocked comments across social media that claimed Disney was disrespecting people’s childhoods by not casting a “pale, blue-eyed, redhead” woman to play the role.

“Last time I checked Ariel has been pale, blue eyed, and a red head in the original movie, the broadway show, the spinoffs, and in the Disney parks?” one fan commented on Instagram

Some even went so far as to say they had lost their ginger princess icon, and that natural redheads no longer have any representation in Disney movies.

“She’s the most iconic redhead & you ruined it. No representation for us,” another Instagrammer said.

Though the offended fans think they are justified, Twitter was having none of it.

As various people have already pointed out, we would all do well to remember that Ariel is a mythical being and the skin colour of her live-action portrayal shouldn’t even matter.

Feature image: screenshot, Disney via Instagram

Shereesa Moodley
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