#NotMyAriel: Outrage over black actress in Disney live-action Little Mermaid sparks hilarious memes
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The casting of R&B singer Halle Bailey as Ariel in a live-action version of The Little Mermaid has sparked a social-media storm centred around the hashtag #NotMyAriel.
In response to complaints over the "blackwashing" of the Disney character Ariel, people posted hilarious memes - mostly querying why there were complaints about who exactly could play the fictional creature.
Bailey, 19, who rose to fame under the wing of pop queen Beyonce, said it was a "dream come true" to play the lead role.
She tweeted a cartoon image of the princess in which the traditionally red-headed Ariel has dark skin, brown eyes and black hair.
Director Rob Marshall said Bailey had been cast after an extensive search, and praised her "rare combination of spirit, heart, youth, innocence, and substance - plus a glorious singing voice."
But not everyone was happy at the news.
"Why did they made Ariel black? I'm not racist, but why the heck will they make her black if she is white in the original film. Imagine if Snowwhite would be black or Tiana white, lmao. #NotMyAriel""
"#NotMyAriel blackwashing is as bad as whitewashing"
However other users quickly made fun on the #NotMyAriel sentiment and it started trending globally on Twitter.
"ZUBY:
@ZubyMusic
I'm offended by the casting of a woman of colour as Ariel.
They should have used an ACTUAL, real mermaid.
Sick and tired of this human privilege.#NotMyAriel"
Adults getting all bent out of shape over a fictional mermaid. SMH. Ariel will not replace you. Leave the Disney princess discussions to 5 and 6 year olds.
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