Voice Of Original Ariel Defends Decision To Cast Halle Bailey In Live-Action Remake Of ‘The Little Mermaid
According to Entertainment Weekly, the original Ariel is so here for Halle playing the part! Jodi Benson, who voiced the role of Ariel in 1989, defended Halle’s casting after trolls complained the mythical character could not be black.
“We need to be storytellers,” Jodi says. “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.”
Social media users have gone into an uproar that has led to the spread of harsh racial commentary about a children’s film. Some are even making use of the hashtag #NotMyAriel, and have created a petition to change Disney’s decision.
Jodi, however, says none of those things matter.
“I think that the spirit of a character is what really matters,” Jodi says. “What you bring to the table in a character as far as their heart and their spirit is what really counts.”
Unfortunately, the casting decision is shedding light on a deep rooted issue in our country. Racism and prejudice are still alive and well. So much so, folks have taken offense to a black woman playing a creature that does not exist.
Many black celebs have come to Halle’s defense as well, and congratulate her for landing the role. Stars such as Yara Shahidi, Zendaya, and Halle Berry all send well wishes.
In a statement, Freeform defends Halle as well. The statement speaks to Ariel’s existence being that she is “a work of fiction.”
Despite the negativity, Halle says she is excited and in shock over her new role. We wish her all the best!
“We need to be storytellers,” Jodi says. “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.”
Social media users have gone into an uproar that has led to the spread of harsh racial commentary about a children’s film. Some are even making use of the hashtag #NotMyAriel, and have created a petition to change Disney’s decision.
Jodi, however, says none of those things matter.
“I think that the spirit of a character is what really matters,” Jodi says. “What you bring to the table in a character as far as their heart and their spirit is what really counts.”
Unfortunately, the casting decision is shedding light on a deep rooted issue in our country. Racism and prejudice are still alive and well. So much so, folks have taken offense to a black woman playing a creature that does not exist.
Many black celebs have come to Halle’s defense as well, and congratulate her for landing the role. Stars such as Yara Shahidi, Zendaya, and Halle Berry all send well wishes.
In a statement, Freeform defends Halle as well. The statement speaks to Ariel’s existence being that she is “a work of fiction.”
Despite the negativity, Halle says she is excited and in shock over her new role. We wish her all the best!
Ryan Destiny Joins Cast Of ‘Grownish’ Season 3
Her character, Jillian, is described as a no nonsense HBCU transfer student who comes to Cal U to study filmmaking. Additionally, “Jillian can talk art and music with Luca (Luka Sabbat), politics and activism with Aaron (Trevor Jackson), and also fits right in with Zoey (Yara Shahidi) and her eclectic crew of girls.”
Meanwhile, Star fans may have the closure to the abruptly cancelled series they’ve been hoping for, if creator Lee Daniels follows through on his promise. He previously said that the musical drama series would tie up the loose ends in the season three finale with a TV movie.
Meanwhile, Star fans may have the closure to the abruptly cancelled series they’ve been hoping for, if creator Lee Daniels follows through on his promise. He previously said that the musical drama series would tie up the loose ends in the season three finale with a TV movie.
What To Expect From The Flash Season 6
The Crisis on Infinite Earths coming earlier than expected, and more challenges for Barry Allen lie ahead in The Flash season 6.
Although Arrow came first, The Flash has become the Arrowverse's flagship show, with it the most in-demand superhero TV series of 2018.
2019 will see the Arrowverse slate change radically.
On the one hand, Arrowseason 8 will be the end of Oliver Queen's story, an abbreviated 10-episode season that could potentially launch spinoffs. But The CW isn't dialing back on the superhero genre; they've ordered a full series of Batwoman, a character who made her Arrowverse debut in the "Elseworlds" crossover event.
Change is coming to The Flash as well, with the series finally diving into the "Crisis on Infinite Earths" event that's been teased ever since the premiere five years ago. So what can viewers expect from The Flash season 6.
The Flash season 6 premieres on Tuesday, October 8. In addition to continuing to air on Tuesday nights, it will be followed by Arrow, which will air in the 9 pm time slot. The show's credits will look at little different when it does. Showrunner Todd Helbing is stepping down in order to work on new projects for Warner Bros.; he's been part of The Flash family since the pilot, taking over after Andrew Kreisberg was fired two years ago, and will be replaced by Eric Wallace. Wallace is no stranger to The Flash; he's been an executive producer since season 4, and has several writing credits including "The Flash Reborn," "Therefore I Am," "Run Iris Run" and "Elseworlds Part 1." Given the last two seasons have received mixed reviews from viewers and critics alike, a change in leadership may well be a good move.
Little is known about the plot of The Flash season 6, although Helbing insists it's been foreshadowed. "We’ve been dropping Easter eggs, especially in the back half of the season, about next season," he observed. "It all plays into that." Ever since the season 1 premiere, The Flash has been headed for a mysterious future event in which Barry Allen disappeared. Season 5 has given viewers an extended look at the post-Flash future, with the episode "Godspeed" dedicated to the origin story of Barry's superhero daughter. After years of buildup, this much-hinted-at plot looks set to become a reality in The Flash season 6.
Outside of that event, in The Flash season 6, Team Flash is facing their greatest shakeup since they were first formed. Carlos Valdez is leaving the role of Cisco after the season 5 finale, a dramatic change to the Team Flash dynamic that introduces new limitations.
Although Arrow came first, The Flash has become the Arrowverse's flagship show, with it the most in-demand superhero TV series of 2018.
2019 will see the Arrowverse slate change radically.
On the one hand, Arrowseason 8 will be the end of Oliver Queen's story, an abbreviated 10-episode season that could potentially launch spinoffs. But The CW isn't dialing back on the superhero genre; they've ordered a full series of Batwoman, a character who made her Arrowverse debut in the "Elseworlds" crossover event.
Change is coming to The Flash as well, with the series finally diving into the "Crisis on Infinite Earths" event that's been teased ever since the premiere five years ago. So what can viewers expect from The Flash season 6.
The Flash season 6 premieres on Tuesday, October 8. In addition to continuing to air on Tuesday nights, it will be followed by Arrow, which will air in the 9 pm time slot. The show's credits will look at little different when it does. Showrunner Todd Helbing is stepping down in order to work on new projects for Warner Bros.; he's been part of The Flash family since the pilot, taking over after Andrew Kreisberg was fired two years ago, and will be replaced by Eric Wallace. Wallace is no stranger to The Flash; he's been an executive producer since season 4, and has several writing credits including "The Flash Reborn," "Therefore I Am," "Run Iris Run" and "Elseworlds Part 1." Given the last two seasons have received mixed reviews from viewers and critics alike, a change in leadership may well be a good move.
Little is known about the plot of The Flash season 6, although Helbing insists it's been foreshadowed. "We’ve been dropping Easter eggs, especially in the back half of the season, about next season," he observed. "It all plays into that." Ever since the season 1 premiere, The Flash has been headed for a mysterious future event in which Barry Allen disappeared. Season 5 has given viewers an extended look at the post-Flash future, with the episode "Godspeed" dedicated to the origin story of Barry's superhero daughter. After years of buildup, this much-hinted-at plot looks set to become a reality in The Flash season 6.
Outside of that event, in The Flash season 6, Team Flash is facing their greatest shakeup since they were first formed. Carlos Valdez is leaving the role of Cisco after the season 5 finale, a dramatic change to the Team Flash dynamic that introduces new limitations.
Serena Williams Reveals She Saw A Therapist Following Her 2018 U.S. Open Outburst
Following her highly-publicized outburst at the U.S. Open back in September 2018 when she was defeated by young opponent Naomi Osaka, tennis legend Serena Williams faced a whirlwind of criticism. Now, not only is she apologizing for her unsportsmanlike behavior—she also reveals that she sought out therapy to help with the aftermath.
Widely-regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all-time, Serena Williams has always remained consistent in calling out injustices in the game of tennis. However, many felt (including herself) that at last year’s U.S. Open she took things too far.
In the August issue of @HarpersBazaarUS, Serena covers the magazine and gets candid about that day—including the regrets she faced that actually led her to therapy.
In a penned essay inside the magazine, Serena owns up to her behavior and acknowledges the hurt it caused Osaka:
This debacle ruined something that should have been amazing and historic. Not only was a game taken from me but a defining, triumphant moment was taken from another player.”
She continued, adding that even after the U.S Open passed, she still couldn’t find inner peace with what happened, which resulted in her seeking out professional help:
“I couldn’t find peace. I started seeing a therapist. I was searching for answers, and although I felt like I was making progress, I still wasn’t ready to pick up a racket.”
The truly touching part of Serena’s essay is her heartfelt apology to Osaka, while admitting that in the moment she felt she “was doing the right thing in sticking up for myself.”
To Osaka, Serena wrote:
“I had no idea the media would pit us against each other. I would love the chance to live that moment over again. I am, was, and will always be happy for you and supportive of you. I would never, ever want the light to shine away.”
In a show of true #BlackGirlMagic, Serena also shared Osaka’s response that left her emotional:
“People can misunderstand anger for strength because they can’t differentiate between the two. No one has stood up for themselves the way you have and you need to continue trailblazing.”
Widely-regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all-time, Serena Williams has always remained consistent in calling out injustices in the game of tennis. However, many felt (including herself) that at last year’s U.S. Open she took things too far.
In the August issue of @HarpersBazaarUS, Serena covers the magazine and gets candid about that day—including the regrets she faced that actually led her to therapy.
In a penned essay inside the magazine, Serena owns up to her behavior and acknowledges the hurt it caused Osaka:
This debacle ruined something that should have been amazing and historic. Not only was a game taken from me but a defining, triumphant moment was taken from another player.”
She continued, adding that even after the U.S Open passed, she still couldn’t find inner peace with what happened, which resulted in her seeking out professional help:
“I couldn’t find peace. I started seeing a therapist. I was searching for answers, and although I felt like I was making progress, I still wasn’t ready to pick up a racket.”
The truly touching part of Serena’s essay is her heartfelt apology to Osaka, while admitting that in the moment she felt she “was doing the right thing in sticking up for myself.”
To Osaka, Serena wrote:
“I had no idea the media would pit us against each other. I would love the chance to live that moment over again. I am, was, and will always be happy for you and supportive of you. I would never, ever want the light to shine away.”
In a show of true #BlackGirlMagic, Serena also shared Osaka’s response that left her emotional:
“People can misunderstand anger for strength because they can’t differentiate between the two. No one has stood up for themselves the way you have and you need to continue trailblazing.”
