Mattel To Debut New ‘Little Mermaid’ Doll In Halle Bailey’s Image
A new, inclusive classic Disney Princess is about to be a part of young children’s world, and they can brush her hair with a fork too.
Disney has quietly put up an all-new Ariel the mermaid doll by Mattel on Amazon’s Italian website, giving fans an up-close peek at the next collectible role model for this generation of kids.
The character is faithfully designed after Halle Bailey, who stars in the upcoming live-action remake of The Little Mermaid. It not only has her complexion but also her locs, which Disney has incorporated into the mermaid’s modernized look.
To pair with the pinker tones in Ariel’s new hair, Disney and Mattel have given the getup of the iconic princess a pastel palette, which one fan has lauded as “perfect” for the Bailey interpretation.
Bailey brought the Barbie-esque doll into the public’s gaze in a video posted on social media, where she got emotional about this next step in Black representation.
“I am literally choking up because this means so much to me,” the star responded. “And to have one that looks like me, that’s my favorite Disney character, is very surreal.”
She also commended the toymaker’s attention to detail, as the toy even has the same mole from her face.
Bailey zeroed in on the doll’s tail, which she said can be dipped in the water.
Disney’s decision to cast a Black woman as Ariel the mermaid has divided audiences—albeit to no surprise on the part of Bailey. “As a Black person, you just expect it, and it’s not really a shock anymore,” the star previously told The Face in an interview.
Well, it’s time to swim with the tide as The Little Mermaid makes a splash in movie theaters on May 26. Meanwhile, the even littler mermaid doll will surface in stores this spring.
[via Mashable, MovieWeb, The DisInsider, images via Amazon Italy]
