Halle Bailey endures racist backlash over Disney's Little Mermaid casting, sister Chloe Bailey comments

Chloe Bailey told Variety that the racist backlash her sister Halle faced after being cast as Ariel in Disney's live‑action remake of The Little Mermaid deeply hurt her, saying “it broke my heart.” She described the online criticism as unfair and focused on race before the film’s release. Despite the hostility, Halle remained resilient, delivering a performance that won praise and helped the movie succeed at the global box office. Chloe emphasized the sisters' close bond and how the experience highlighted broader issues of representation and harassment faced by actors of colour in Hollywood.