Aimee Walker
Rachel Zegler, who is set to play Snow White in the Disney live-action remake, has defended the casting of Halle Bailey in The Little Mermaid amid backlash.
The West Side Story actress took to Twitter on Tuesday and slammed a social media troll who wasn’t happy with Bailey taking on the role of Ariel.
The troll tweeted, via MailOnline: “Hey @disney, I actually think that @rachelzegler is a good choice for the role of Snow White because she looks just like her. But @HalleBailey is #NotMyAriel. She can be the Little Mermaid on broadway if she wishes, but not in a movie.”
Watch this little girl’s heartwarming reaction to The Little Mermaid trailer in the clip below…
Zegler replied: “If you don’t support my girl Halle, who is the perfect Ariel, you don’t support any of us.”
The star’s response has garnered tons of support on the social media platform, with one fan writing: “You tell them.”
A second said: “Always a slay Rachel.”
Related Article: Little Mermaid Star Halle Bailey Says Playing Ariel ‘Changed Her Life’
“Myself and the rest of the cast at Walt Disney World stands with you, Princess Snow White!” a third wrote.
At the time of writing, Bailey has yet to respond to Zegler’s support.
However, the Disney stars – who have not worked on a project together yet – have met. Last September, the pair both attended the Met Gala and got a photo together.
Zegler penned at the time: “This incredible young woman. @HalleBailey the Ariel/Snow White crossover we deserve.”
this incredible young woman. @HalleBailey ❤️ the ariel/snow white crossover we deserve pic.twitter.com/nnhE2aAtPy
— rachel zegler (she/her/hers) (@rachelzegler) September 14, 2021
Zegler is not the only celebrity to have defended Bailey’s casting as Ariel.
Jodi Benson, who originally voiced the character, recently took to Instagram and gushed that Bailey’s performance in the trailer was ‘amazing’.
She went on to add: “Halle, you were absolutely amazing! I’m SO proud of you and 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!!!”
Bailey – who has a surprising link to Beyoncé – responded to Benson’s kind words, writing back: “This means the world coming from you!
“You made Ariel magical for us.”
Related Article: Latino Actress Rachel Zegler Who Is Set To Play Snow White Hits Back At Trolls
Benson also gave praise to the 22-year-old when her casting was originally announced, amid a ton of racist backlash.
As per Entertainment Weekly, the voice actor attended the Florida Supercon convention and said: “We need to be storytellers.
“And no matter what we look like on the outside, no matter our race, our nation, the colour of our skin, our dialect, whether I’m tall or thin, whether I’m overweight or underweight, or my hair is whatever colour, we really need to tell the story.
“I think that the spirit of a character is what really matters. What you bring to the table in a character as far as their heart and their spirit is what really counts.”
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