In the Little Mermaid TV series, Gabriella was a Black mermaid who looked up to Ariel as a big sister. A great singer, Gabriella was deaf and communicated in sign language, and she was specifically created to improve representation.

What race was Gabriella The Little Mermaid?

Ariel first meets Gabriela and her octopus companion (an ASL interpreter) Ollie in an episode titled “Wish Upon a Starfish." The character, described as Latina on Disney Wiki, was based on a real young girl who loved the original film but tragically passed away at the age of 2 of leukemia.

Who was Gabriella The Little Mermaid based off?

The deaf character Gabriella was based of an interpretation of Gabriella Angelina Bommino, who passed away from leukemia at the age of 2, on November 17, 1992.

Who is the first black mermaid?

With the upcoming release of Disney's live-action “The Little Mermaid,” Davis' research is more relevant than ever. The film features singer, songwriter, and actress Halle Bailey as Ariel, Disney's first Black Ariel protagonist.

Are there any black characters in The Little Mermaid?

A new "Little Mermaid" is now part of our world, with a fresh take on the old-school Disney classic, a live-action remake starring 23-year-old Halle Bailey, a Black singer and actress, in the lead role of Ariel.

I Turned into a Mermaid in the Pool

Why is a black girl playing The Little Mermaid?

On the significance of casting a Black actress as Ariel

Sherri Hope Culver: To have a Disney character who is not just a princess but a live-action, real flesh and blood person that children can be inspired by is important. This is because people of color are less likely to see themselves reflected in the media.

Is Ariel Black or white?

One thing to note, Hans Christian Andersen left out race, skin color, and character names. For the animated movie, Disney made the little mermaid white, made her hair red, and gave her a name, Ariel.

Can a mermaid be black?

And some mermaids are Black. Part of Davis' research situates the origin of Black mermaids during the Middle Passage, a time period where Africans were enslaved and violently transported across the ocean to North America and the Caribbean.

When did The Little Mermaid come out black?

It was released theatrically on May 26, 2023, in the United States by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. A sing-along edition of the film was released in theaters on August 25, 2023.

Who plays Gabriella in Disney?

Vanessa Anne Hudgens (/ˈhʌdʒənz/ HUJ-ənz; born December 14, 1988) is an American actress and singer. After making her feature film debut in Thirteen (2003), Hudgens rose to fame portraying Gabriella Montez in the High School Musical film series (2006–2008), which brought her significant mainstream media success.

Is Queen Latifah in Little Mermaid?

“I had done a photoshoot for Disney a few years back where Annie Leibowitz shot me as Ursula,” Queen Latifah told “GMA” in an exclusive interview. “So when this popped up, it was like, OK, a TV production. Alright … Once they explained to me the way that they wanted to do it, I thought it was interesting.”

Did Queen Latifah play Ursula in The Little Mermaid?

Queen Latifah portrayed the singing sea witch, voiced by Pat Carroll in the animated film and previously played onstage by Rebel Wilson, Harvey Fierstein and Sherie Rene Scott.

Is Halle Bailey the first black Ariel?

Disney's live-action version of the 1989 animated classic 'The Little Mermaid' hits theaters on Friday. This highly-anticipated film is also marking a moment in Disney history with Halle Bailey as the first Black Ariel.

Why are Ariel's sisters different races?

All of king Triton's daughters represent their own seas all over the world and as such they are all different ethnicities in the movie. It is not specified where the movie takes place, i.e. where Ariel lives but it's obvious it's not in Denmark.

Why is Sebastian in Little Mermaid Jamaican?

Sebastian is from Trinidad, not Jamaica. The Little Mermaid creators Howard Ashman and Alan Menken had originally planned to have Sebastian be English, but they decided an “English butler” would be too stuffy.

What are African mermaids called?

Over time, the European mermaid legend blended with local stories, and more and more Africans came to portray their water spirits as half-woman, half-fish. Many of these stories merged into one, so the most powerful water spirit in many African countries is now known as Mami Wata.

What ethnicity are mermaids?

Ancient Greece and Rome: Sirens and Mermaids

The mermaids of Greek and Roman mythology are considerably close to the appearance and character of the European myths we think about today. Many ancient Greek myths equate sirens with mermaids.

What Colour skin does Little Mermaid have?

In the original animated film, released in 1989, Ariel, a fictional mermaid, is depicted as a white, red-haired woman. In one of the reaction videos, posted by TikTok user Precious Avery, a toddler named Emery lounges on the couch but sits up when she Bailey appears on screen.

Which Disney Princess is now black?

In Disney's nearly 100-year history, there has been only one Black Disney princess — Princess Tiana in “The Princess and the Frog,” a 2009 animated feature starring Anika Noni Rose. The singer Brandy starred in a 1997 made-for-TV film version of “Cinderella,” a remake of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical.

Why did they make Scuttle a girl?

Diversity. Ariel had 3 male animal friends, so they needed to make one a girl. Same reason they made Jock a girl (Jacqueline aka Jacque) in the Lady & The Tramp live-action remake.

How did Halle Bailey get the role of Ariel?

Halle Bailey was the first to audition for the beloved and coveted role of Ariel in Disney's live-action “The Little Mermaid.” After Bailey belted out the classic showstopper “Part of Your World” from the original 1989 film, director Rob Marshall and the other filmmakers knew that she was the one for the role.

Why is Prince Eric's mom black?

There are several instances when Eric's mother Queen Salina (Noma Dumezweni), who is Black and adopted him as a child when he washed up from the ocean, chastises him for his obvious love for beings that are considered other.

What color is Ariel original?

In Anderson's telling and the original Disney film, the mermaid possessed white skin. In Disney's upcoming live action version of the story, Ariel will be portrayed by black actress and singer Halle Bailey.

Is Ariel's dad white?

The casting is beautifully “colour blind”, with the prince being white and his mother being Black (he is adopted). At the same time, the Little Mermaid's father is white, while her mermaid sisters are of various different races and ethnicities.