People argued whether or not Bailey wasthe right Ariel.
Actress Stephanie Mills knows this debate all too well.
Systems of support
Bailey relied largely on friends and family to cope with the backlash.
She toldThe Facethat she spoke with her grandparents who had grown up during the Jim Crow Era.
Their conversations helped her see society’s progress.
While upsetting, the racist backlash wasn’t surprising for Bailey.
Bailey said she listened.
Friends and family sent photos and videos of children’s reactions to the film’s trailer.
or exclaiming, “She’s Black!”
with wide smiles on their faces.
These videos draw an emotional response from Bailey.
[It’s] so important.
It just makes me cry anytime I see any of those videos."
She also has a role in the remake of the 1985 film “The Color Purple.”
“I just want to continue to heal through my art.
