Halle Bailey, who is playing Ariel in The Little Mermaid, recently addressed the racist backlash she has received online and said she expected it.

Bailey said, “As a Black person, you just expect it, and it’s not really a shock anymore.” She continued, “Honestly, when the teaser came out, I was at the D23 Expo [ Disney’s largest fan-centric event], and I was so happy. I didn’t see any of the negativity.”

The director of The Little Mermaid said, “We just were looking for the best actor for the role, period. The end.” He continued, “Production wanted someone incredibly strong, passionate, beautiful, smart, clever with a great deal of fire and joy. Bailey fit the bill perfectly.”

Halle continued, “As a Black woman, hair is spiritual, especially locs. It was really cool for them to make Ariel a version of me with my locs. I feel like that’s what mermaid hair would be anyway.”