Part 3/11:
The controversy escalated with announced changes to The Little Mermaid, notably the decision to race-swap Ariel with a Black actress, which some fans see as a deliberate move to insert diversity for diversity’s sake, rather than staying true to the story’s roots. Moreover, statements from the filmmakers about altering the story to convey a more feminist message—such as Ariel being the hero at the film's finale instead of Prince Eric—have been met with skepticism. Critics argue these modifications are driven more by ideological motives than storytelling integrity.