Part 5/13:
Casting and Cultural Fetishization
Bailey also reflects on how her race and identity are incorporated into the film's production. She describes her experience working with director Rob Marshall, who reportedly sought to include her natural dreadlocks in her character—a move she describes as a “spiritual” gesture and a meaningful tribute to Black hair culture. However, she hints at a darker perspective, questioning whether this focus on her appearance veers into tokenism or fetishization, framing her as a racial symbol rather than an individual artist.