Disney first shared the trailer for the long-anticipated live-action remake of The Little Mermaid (1989) at D23 Expo last weekend. Some fans of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ classic have mass-disliked trailers and expressed disdain for the film because Ariel is played by a Black actress, Halle Bailey.
However, Jodi Benson, the original Ariel, fully supports Bailey. The voice actress came to the star’s defense initially in 2019 and again this weekend. Benson wrote on Instagram:
“Halle, you were absolutely amazing! I’m SO proud of you & your beautiful performance as Ariel💕🧜♀️ it was so wonderful to celebrate with your family here at #d23expo. and to the brilliant director, Rob Marshall… I’m so thankful for our friendship of over 35 years. Thank you for creating such a stunning film!!”
Credit: Halle Bailey Instagram
Bailey shared Benson’s message with a response:
“Thank you so much @Jodi.Benson ❤️❤️🥹This means the world to me coming from you ! You made Ariel magical for us 💗💗✨”
Directed by Rob Marshall, with original music by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Alan Menken, The Little Mermaid (2023) features a star-studded cast. Bailey is Ariel, Melissa McCarthy is Ursula the Sea Witch, Jonah Hauer-King is Prince Eric, Javier Bardem is King Triton, Daveed Diggs is Sebastian, Jacob Tremblay is Flounder, and Awkwafina is Scuttle the seagull.
The Little Mermaid stars Jodi Benson as Ariel, a mermaid stuck between two very different worlds. From Disney:
With unforgettable characters, thrilling adventures, soaring Academy Award®-winning music (1989: Best Music, Original Score, and Best Music, Original Song, “Under The Sea”), The Little Mermaid is one of the most celebrated animated films of all time. Now available on Digital, Blu-ray™ and 4K Ultra HD. Venture under the sea where Ariel, a free-spirited mermaid princess, longs to be part of the human world. After bravely striking a bargain with Ursula, a sneaky sea witch, Ariel embarks on the adventure of a lifetime. With Flounder and Sebastian at her side, Ariel will need all of her courage and determination to make things right in both her worlds.
9
