Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
Fans Overflow The Internet With Fan Art After Disney Announces The New Ariel
There are loads of things we can all disagree on, especially when it comes to something as precious as a childhood memory. That being said, It makes sense that Disney's latest casting choice sparked quite a controversy by choosing Halle Bailey to play Ariel in "The Little Mermaid" live-action movie remake. Some were convinced something's really fishy and took the scientific approach to explain why the casting is wrong to portray this Disney character, others were really excited about the first black mermaid. So were these people, who took the Internet by storm and flooded it with fan art dedicated to the famous character, supporting the new cast. Scroll down to check these cool drawings and get hyped for the new Disney movie remake.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
RELATED:
#7
Amanda Kirby 6 years ago
This is my favorite so far. There is so much light and sweetness in this illustration.
#20
#24
ispeak catanese 6 years ago
Hey Just Curious, see that pink coral in the background on the left? It has a special message, just for you.
Add New Image
Explore more of these tags
What do you think ?
K. LNU 6 years ago
I understand the want to integrate all races into the fairy tales. However, most fairy tales (think The brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, Lewis Carroll, etc.) were all European - thus the characters tend to be white. I have no actual issues with an African Ariel, or heck, even a mixed-race one. It's not what I grew up with, but that's just my two-cents. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Tianna Crane 6 years ago
Grimm, Hans, and many more collected works from all over the world actually. Many of the tales they collected are actually very old Chinese stories. Cinderella I believe was originally from Asia. We have to remember that just because a European collected the stories and translated them does not make them theirs. Each of those tales have origins from all over the world.
Load More Replies...
Aria Whitaker 6 years ago
Seeing as though we only have ONE black princess and ONE Asian one, and both of their ethnicities are integral to the story...NO.
Load More Replies...
Virgil Blue 6 years ago
Don't care, it's an unneeded live action remake of good animation and thus not worth my money whatever the cast is.
orenji 6 years ago
For those excusing the casting choice with "Mermaids aren't real"... neither is Black Panther. Does it mean it's okay to cast this character as a white African? Absolutely not. If you don't stand for whitewashing, you shouldn't support this either as it would be hypocritical. Double standards show your hypocrisy. This story originates in Danish culture from the 1800's. They have a statue in Denmark to commemorate this story. Everyone always preaches about respecting cultures but suddenly it's okay to step all over this one because they're white? I'm hispanic and I don't use my minority status to excuse this choice from Disney. It's clearly a PR stunt for a quick cash grab. I would LOVE to see an extension of the Little Mermaid world and have them create a new mermaid. But to replace an already established and popular character is a marketing stunt. They clearly want to leech off the existing fame and have this all over the news. I don't think they are handling this correctly at all.
Daria B 6 years ago (edited)
Thank you! Couldn't have said it better. Good to see rational minds out there. And, once again, please, Disney, PLEEEEEASE, make NEW content based on African, Asian etc. legends and literature with original and legitimate characters of their respective ethnicity. You started good with Moana, what happened?
Load More Replies...
Nicole N A 6 years ago
I am only baffled at the fact that people are so comfortable changing an original character’s ethnicity as long as they are Caucasian. Unpopular opinion or not, obviously there would be tons of backlash if an African, Chinese, Native American original character was recast as Caucasian or anything resembling it. It would be considered RACIST. I do not understand how the definition of racism can only apply if it was the other way around. Either way, it is completely unnecessary to make it a point to change any character’s ethnicity... PERIOD. But with that being said, I still believe Halle Bailey will do an amazing job, as none of this can be put on her. She is simply doing what she loves doing and given the circumstances and how the producers of this movie had to have seen this big controversy coming (if it wasn’t planned from the start), she’s got a lot of courage! I think I will watch the movie either way, because I’m curious how good it will be in live action.
Lauren Caswell 6 years ago
But so many instances slready exist of Caucasian actors getting cast into major roles designated for people of other races. Matt Damon in great wall, Scarlett Johansson in ghost in the shell...I know there are more but I can't think off the top of my head. .
Load More Replies...
Tyler Duffy 6 years ago
She should have Red hair. I don't really care about if she's Not white, I mean she should be but I don't care if she's not. But the Red hair is a MUST.
Dani 6 years ago
MammaG - Because, it's her trademark! It has to be there!
Load More Replies...
Alia 6 years ago
The amount of downvotes and the amount of silence says a lot. Poor white people can't speak up without Being called racist.
Ryan (Gremlin) 2 years ago
At some point though, it becomes an overused term that dilutes its actual meaning. Call me racist because I don't support a POC being cast in a traditional white role, I really couldn't care any less.
Load More Replies... Куницына ОВ 6 years ago
I'm so upset, just one do not call her Ariel, make a new story and let her father be with a different name! This is so it's a shame, this my Princess, the most espoused! I had drawn it all the notebook, I know every line, her every move I have all seen 200 times. I can draw all her dresses with my eyes closed. I love her red hair and blue eyes. I like this new girl, but she's not my childhood girl. I feel one thing, like a knife was stuck in my childhood and turned it to make a fashion move. After I saw that they took all the old cartoons in the form of box office films with classical interpretation, I now understand that my cherished childhood dream I will never see. Thanks Disney for my tears.
Lena Sinex 6 years ago
I love it soo much I am working on my own fan art! Mermaids have no race it's a fairytale so saying they should all be white is ridiculous. Even Disney's original is very loosely based on the actual story and there are mermaids in African folklore as well. The director didn't see color when casting, he saw a talented young lady who could really sing as does the voice actress Jodie Benson. I am glad there are soo many people that support a black mermaid and not think it takes away anything from them personally.Black girls have grown up being able to love and appreciate all Disney princesses even though Tiana has been the only black one. It's a sad state for those that are unable to.
Pervinca 6 years ago
Here we are not talking about all the mermaids, but about the remake of the Disney animation movie that had a white red headed girl named Ariel as main character. People that complain the choose of a "black Ariel" don't say that mermaids couldn't be of different race, but that there were no reason to change the main character. You say that the director didn't see color, I think it's the opposite. Halle Bailey is a wonderful actress, but I think the director choose here because he wanted a black Ariel. I agree with the fact that movies and animation should put more character from different ethnicity (like Tiana, Mulan or Moana..), but there are no reason to change the actual characters instead of creating new ones . At least that is my opinion
Load More Replies...
Harleen 6 years ago
I only wonder why Disney can't give her a new character that's all HER. I've noticed that recently, they like to re-use old characters, like re-making Lion King, Aladdin, etc. Everyone knows The Little Mermaid story already. Hallie deserves her own story! Make a brand new mermaid, give her a new world and a new purpose. I'd much rather see that than just that they've made Ariel a woman of color.
Remus Radoiu 6 years ago
Getting rid of all white characters and fans are celebrating it. Nothing racist going on here... keep moving
TheExtremeSmell 6 years ago
I mean race aside isn’t Halle berry kinda old to play Ariel? I thought she was like a “young” mermaid? Not that I’d be against an older mermaid but if people are nit picking
GrinnyCatAstrid 6 years ago
Dude, it seems simple to me. White cartoon character, white actor/ actress. This whole politically correct thing shouldn't affect these subjects. Don't change the race of characters!
Gerry Higgins 6 years ago
Unrealistic casting. I know a number of black women and they would all kill you if you got their hair wet.
Lena Sinex 6 years ago
You may have been right, when trying to conform to white standards of beauty was the norm not to mention not be discriminated against in the work place to straighten our hair.California recently passed a law against workplace hair discrimination. One drop of water would make it poof and frizz out after hours of straightening it. ...Today with the natural hair movement our hair loves the moisture so it's not as big of an issue as it once was...Of course there are still women who hate getting their hair wet and they are usually the ones that straighten it * I have nothing against either style ...This has been your public service announcement.
Load More Replies...
PjandBolt 6 years ago
I think that it would be great if Eric was white. I don't think Disney has seen an interracial couple in the live action yet.
Ryan (Gremlin) 2 years ago
If you consider marvel as disney, then technically Peter and gamora would be an interracial couple
Load More Replies... PjandBolt 6 years ago
I feel like things are gonna really change after this movie.. will Disney merchandise market both versions of Ariel or just completely change the original? Will the next few generations be completely unaware of the original movie and only know the story as a colored mermaid? Are people going to comprehend Colored Ariel as the new Ariel? Or will they have it be as a completely different story? Will they both co-exist in the same universe? Idk... I have A LOT of questions about this. Ik Haley Bailey will do an AMAZING job but what's going to happen to the original Ariel?
Dorothy Parker 6 years ago
I love the choice of the new Ariel. However, she looks too smart to give up her voice to pursue some prince!
Gerry Higgins 6 years ago
It's not her race that's a problem... She's too freakin old to be a teen-age ingenue
Aria Whitaker 6 years ago
WHAT? Do you know who Halle Bailey is?? Old?? She is still a teenager....
Load More Replies...
K. LNU 6 years ago
I understand the want to integrate all races into the fairy tales. However, most fairy tales (think The brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, Lewis Carroll, etc.) were all European - thus the characters tend to be white. I have no actual issues with an African Ariel, or heck, even a mixed-race one. It's not what I grew up with, but that's just my two-cents. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Tianna Crane 6 years ago
Grimm, Hans, and many more collected works from all over the world actually. Many of the tales they collected are actually very old Chinese stories. Cinderella I believe was originally from Asia. We have to remember that just because a European collected the stories and translated them does not make them theirs. Each of those tales have origins from all over the world.
Load More Replies... Aria Whitaker 6 years ago
Seeing as though we only have ONE black princess and ONE Asian one, and both of their ethnicities are integral to the story...NO.
Load More Replies... Virgil Blue 6 years ago
Don't care, it's an unneeded live action remake of good animation and thus not worth my money whatever the cast is.
orenji 6 years ago
For those excusing the casting choice with "Mermaids aren't real"... neither is Black Panther. Does it mean it's okay to cast this character as a white African? Absolutely not. If you don't stand for whitewashing, you shouldn't support this either as it would be hypocritical. Double standards show your hypocrisy. This story originates in Danish culture from the 1800's. They have a statue in Denmark to commemorate this story. Everyone always preaches about respecting cultures but suddenly it's okay to step all over this one because they're white? I'm hispanic and I don't use my minority status to excuse this choice from Disney. It's clearly a PR stunt for a quick cash grab. I would LOVE to see an extension of the Little Mermaid world and have them create a new mermaid. But to replace an already established and popular character is a marketing stunt. They clearly want to leech off the existing fame and have this all over the news. I don't think they are handling this correctly at all.
Daria B 6 years ago (edited)
Thank you! Couldn't have said it better. Good to see rational minds out there. And, once again, please, Disney, PLEEEEEASE, make NEW content based on African, Asian etc. legends and literature with original and legitimate characters of their respective ethnicity. You started good with Moana, what happened?
Load More Replies... Nicole N A 6 years ago
I am only baffled at the fact that people are so comfortable changing an original character’s ethnicity as long as they are Caucasian. Unpopular opinion or not, obviously there would be tons of backlash if an African, Chinese, Native American original character was recast as Caucasian or anything resembling it. It would be considered RACIST. I do not understand how the definition of racism can only apply if it was the other way around. Either way, it is completely unnecessary to make it a point to change any character’s ethnicity... PERIOD. But with that being said, I still believe Halle Bailey will do an amazing job, as none of this can be put on her. She is simply doing what she loves doing and given the circumstances and how the producers of this movie had to have seen this big controversy coming (if it wasn’t planned from the start), she’s got a lot of courage! I think I will watch the movie either way, because I’m curious how good it will be in live action.
Lauren Caswell 6 years ago
But so many instances slready exist of Caucasian actors getting cast into major roles designated for people of other races. Matt Damon in great wall, Scarlett Johansson in ghost in the shell...I know there are more but I can't think off the top of my head. .
Load More Replies... Tyler Duffy 6 years ago
She should have Red hair. I don't really care about if she's Not white, I mean she should be but I don't care if she's not. But the Red hair is a MUST.
Dani 6 years ago
MammaG - Because, it's her trademark! It has to be there!
Load More Replies... Alia 6 years ago
The amount of downvotes and the amount of silence says a lot. Poor white people can't speak up without Being called racist.
Ryan (Gremlin) 2 years ago
At some point though, it becomes an overused term that dilutes its actual meaning. Call me racist because I don't support a POC being cast in a traditional white role, I really couldn't care any less.
Load More Replies... Куницына ОВ 6 years ago
I'm so upset, just one do not call her Ariel, make a new story and let her father be with a different name! This is so it's a shame, this my Princess, the most espoused! I had drawn it all the notebook, I know every line, her every move I have all seen 200 times. I can draw all her dresses with my eyes closed. I love her red hair and blue eyes. I like this new girl, but she's not my childhood girl. I feel one thing, like a knife was stuck in my childhood and turned it to make a fashion move. After I saw that they took all the old cartoons in the form of box office films with classical interpretation, I now understand that my cherished childhood dream I will never see. Thanks Disney for my tears.
Lena Sinex 6 years ago
I love it soo much I am working on my own fan art! Mermaids have no race it's a fairytale so saying they should all be white is ridiculous. Even Disney's original is very loosely based on the actual story and there are mermaids in African folklore as well. The director didn't see color when casting, he saw a talented young lady who could really sing as does the voice actress Jodie Benson. I am glad there are soo many people that support a black mermaid and not think it takes away anything from them personally.Black girls have grown up being able to love and appreciate all Disney princesses even though Tiana has been the only black one. It's a sad state for those that are unable to.
Pervinca 6 years ago
Here we are not talking about all the mermaids, but about the remake of the Disney animation movie that had a white red headed girl named Ariel as main character. People that complain the choose of a "black Ariel" don't say that mermaids couldn't be of different race, but that there were no reason to change the main character. You say that the director didn't see color, I think it's the opposite. Halle Bailey is a wonderful actress, but I think the director choose here because he wanted a black Ariel. I agree with the fact that movies and animation should put more character from different ethnicity (like Tiana, Mulan or Moana..), but there are no reason to change the actual characters instead of creating new ones . At least that is my opinion
Load More Replies... Harleen 6 years ago
I only wonder why Disney can't give her a new character that's all HER. I've noticed that recently, they like to re-use old characters, like re-making Lion King, Aladdin, etc. Everyone knows The Little Mermaid story already. Hallie deserves her own story! Make a brand new mermaid, give her a new world and a new purpose. I'd much rather see that than just that they've made Ariel a woman of color.
Remus Radoiu 6 years ago
Getting rid of all white characters and fans are celebrating it. Nothing racist going on here... keep moving
TheExtremeSmell 6 years ago
I mean race aside isn’t Halle berry kinda old to play Ariel? I thought she was like a “young” mermaid? Not that I’d be against an older mermaid but if people are nit picking
GrinnyCatAstrid 6 years ago
Dude, it seems simple to me. White cartoon character, white actor/ actress. This whole politically correct thing shouldn't affect these subjects. Don't change the race of characters!
Gerry Higgins 6 years ago
Unrealistic casting. I know a number of black women and they would all kill you if you got their hair wet.
Lena Sinex 6 years ago
You may have been right, when trying to conform to white standards of beauty was the norm not to mention not be discriminated against in the work place to straighten our hair.California recently passed a law against workplace hair discrimination. One drop of water would make it poof and frizz out after hours of straightening it. ...Today with the natural hair movement our hair loves the moisture so it's not as big of an issue as it once was...Of course there are still women who hate getting their hair wet and they are usually the ones that straighten it * I have nothing against either style ...This has been your public service announcement.
Load More Replies... PjandBolt 6 years ago
I think that it would be great if Eric was white. I don't think Disney has seen an interracial couple in the live action yet.
Ryan (Gremlin) 2 years ago
If you consider marvel as disney, then technically Peter and gamora would be an interracial couple
Load More Replies... PjandBolt 6 years ago
I feel like things are gonna really change after this movie.. will Disney merchandise market both versions of Ariel or just completely change the original? Will the next few generations be completely unaware of the original movie and only know the story as a colored mermaid? Are people going to comprehend Colored Ariel as the new Ariel? Or will they have it be as a completely different story? Will they both co-exist in the same universe? Idk... I have A LOT of questions about this. Ik Haley Bailey will do an AMAZING job but what's going to happen to the original Ariel?
Dorothy Parker 6 years ago
I love the choice of the new Ariel. However, she looks too smart to give up her voice to pursue some prince!
Gerry Higgins 6 years ago
It's not her race that's a problem... She's too freakin old to be a teen-age ingenue
Aria Whitaker 6 years ago
WHAT? Do you know who Halle Bailey is?? Old?? She is still a teenager....
Load More Replies... 
Related on Bored Panda
