Donald Glover Defends Halle Bailey Casting In ‘The Little Mermaid’: She ‘Earned It’

Donald Glover has come to Halle Bailey’s defense amid the racist backlash to her casting as Ariel in the upcoming live-action reboot of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.”

On Tuesday at the premiere of Disney’s live-action reboot of “The Lion King,” Glover, who stars as adult Simba in the film, told E! News that he “thought that was so special” that Bailey, who is black, was cast as Ariel.

“We were just watching that film and I’m like, that’s such a great story but I’m just like, I dunno, I just hope that she’s like having fun and don’t let anybody make you feel the opposite of how you want to feel,” Glover said.

“It’s a very special role and you earned it, so I hope you’re listening,” he added, addressing the 19-year-old singer directly.

Bailey, one half of the R&B duo Chloe x Halle, has been subject to racist attacks from haters who don’t believe a black woman should play Ariel. Luckily, people like Glover have come out in support of Bailey.