Freeform Stands Up for Halle Bailey Starring as Ariel in 'The Little Mermaid'

Freeform is sticking up for their grown-ish star Halle Bailey.

The Disney-owned network took to Instagram to slam the racist trolls who have a problem with the 19-year-old actress/singer starring as Ariel in upcoming live-action The Little Mermaid.

“Yes. The original author of ‘The Little Mermaid’ was Danish. Ariel…is a mermaid. She lives in an underwater kingdom in international waters and can legit swim whever [sic] she wants (even though that often upsets King Triton, absolute zaddy).”

Freeform continued: “But for the sake of the argument, let’s say that Ariel, too, is Danish. Danish mermaids can be black bc Danish people can be black. Ariel can sneak up to the surface at any time with her pals Scuttle and the ahem Jamaican crab Sebastian (Sorry, Flounder!) and keep that bronze base tight.”

“Black Danish people, and thus mer-folk, can also genetically (!!!) have red hair. But spoiler alert – bring it back to the top – the character of Ariel is a work of fiction.”

Freeform concluded: “So, after all this is said and done, and you still cannot get past the idea that choosing the incredible, sensational, highly-talented, gorgeous Halle Baily is anything other than INSPIRED casting that it is because she ‘doesn’t look like the cartoon one”, oh boy, do I have some news for you… about you.”