Part 6/9:
However, there are moments in her statements that seem inconsistent. Bailey previously mentioned that seeing a Black Ariel would have profoundly impacted her in her youth, which raises questions since she also states she related deeply to the original character, claiming, "It's the reason I would swim—I would be in the pool feeling like I am the animated version of her." This suggests she already identified strongly with Ariel, regardless of race, complicating the narrative that this casting was solely about representation and impact.
Moreover, some critics find her comments about how her perspective might have been changed by a Black Ariel to be a bit over the top, arguing that her early affection for Ariel's character already served as a form of representation.