Jodi Benson, the original Ariel actor, has spoken out on the new The Little Mermaid remake, which got 2 million dislikes on YouTube.
In 2021, the popular video-sharing app announced that it would hide the number of dislikes under videos in order to "protect our creators from harassment, and reduce dislike attacks," according to Forbes.
However, a plug-in revealed that the new trailer for the Disney remake - starring Halle Bailey as Ariel - got 2 million dislikes just days after its release.
Whilst there has been unfair criticism regarding the film, the 60-year-old OG Ariel has showcased her support for the 22-year-old musician who will feature as the beloved red-haired mermaid.
The live-action trailer for the film was released by Disney at their D23 Expo fan convention on September 10, which Benson shared on her Instagram story, writing: "So thrilled! So excited! Halle, you were absolutely amazing!"
Alongside a photo of the Grammy-nominated singer and The Little Mermaid director Rob Marshall, Benson continued: "I’m SO proud of you and your beautiful performance as Ariel. It was so wonderful to share with your family here at D23 Expo."
"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!!!" she added.
After fans were given a glimpse of the character, the trailer was well received by young girls, particularly Black children, who have gone viral for their heartwarming reactions.
In one video post on TikTok, a girl named Sienna can be seen watching the trailer with a huge smile on her face as she tries to hold in her excitement. When Ariel is finally revealed, she asked her mother: "That is her? That is Ariel?"
Many other parents have also posted their children's reactions to the trailer on their social media. One user on Twitter made a wholesome thread with the videos, writing: "As I stroll on TikTok, I keep seeing parents video their children reacting to The Little Mermaid trailer."
"So instead of focusing so much on the negative, I thought I’d show a thread of the little black kids who are excited to see their favorite princess look like them," they added.
Watch the videos below:When it was first announced that Bailey - who is part of the sister duo Chloe X Halle - was taking on the lead role in 2019, she became the target of racial vitriol online.
At that time, iconic voice actress, Benson, sent her support to Bailey at Florida Supercon. In a video shared by USA Today, Benson said the "spirit of a character is what really matters" in the casting decision.
"We need to be storytellers. And no matter what we look like on the outside, no matter our race, our nation, the color of our skin, our dialect, whether I'm tall or thin, whether I'm overweight or underweight, or my hair is whatever color, we really need to tell the story," she added.
Despite all the backlash, the Grown-ish actress sat down with People to explain the importance of representation in her portrayal of the Disney princess.
"The fact that now it's getting to be played by me, a person who looks like me, a woman of color, I'm just like, wow, I'm so grateful for what it will do for all the other little Black and brown boys and girls who will see themselves in me," she said.
"Because I know if I had seen myself when I was younger, I think my whole perspective would've changed," Bailey added.
