When I was younger, I was the biggest Disney fan. I loved rewatching all the Disney princess movies, regardless of being packed in my living room with my family. I felt like I was on a massive stage, with all the space in the world to sing and dance along with the characters.
Even so, I never truly felt connected to any of them as they did not look like me or share my culture. It made me feel excluded and believe that a woman of color was not beautiful enough to be a princess. This led me to wonder if girls like me were able to have those same happy endings that I grew up watching.
As a woman of color, I did not feel represented in the entertainment industry. However, in the past few years, there has been a rapid increase for diversity in the entertainment industry compared to what was considered diverse when I was younger. This growing representation of people of color makes me believe that there are a lot of little boys and girls who can now look up to people who remind them of themselves or their families.
Recently, Disney Studios announced that Halle Bailey, a black actress, was cast to play Ariel, a traditionally white princess, in their upcoming live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid.”
For me, this is an important step towards increasing diversity in the entertainment industry, especially because of Disney’s powerful influence in the media.
There has been divided reactions among Disney fans concerning the casting of Bailey. While the casting of a black actress to play Ariel does not change her story in any way, closed-minded fans think otherwise.
I’ve seen many social media posts of people using the hashtag “#NotMyAriel” because they believe that it does not make sense that Ariel is black, or claim that it is not fair to fans who grew up looking up to this white princess.
The outrage from fans who disagree with Disney’s decision to cast a black actress to play Ariel further proves my point that the entertainment industry needs more diversity so that it becomes normal for people of color to be the main character.
In addition, white fans do not understand what it’s like to not see people who look like them in the spotlight. I believe that white fans who argue against Bailey’s casting are ignorant to suggest that they, the people of majority, are having something taken away from them by having a person of color in the spotlight.
Jodi Benson, the actress who voiced Ariel in the original “The Little Mermaid,” spoke up in favor of Bailey at the Florida Supercon convention, saying that “what you bring to the table in a character is what really counts… no matter what we look like on the outside.”
It is important that people take the time to look past the color of Bailey’s skin and focus on her acting and singing abilities. Bailey is a member of the R&B singing duo, Chloe x Halle, and is a supporting actress on the Freeform show, “Grownish.” Bailey has already proven that she is more than qualified as a singer and actress to play Disney’s beloved princess.
It is important for kids to see actors who look like them as it not only increases their self-esteem, but also makes them feel like less of a minority in America.
Bailey being cast as a Disney princess will positively impact young people of color and educate our next generation about the importance of diversity.
TCHS School Newspaper