Why Is There So Much Criticism of POCs When Casts in the Lead role? 🎭
- gueneverechin08
- May 23, 2022
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 11, 2023
Written by: Guenevere Chin
February 10th, 2022
The entertainment industry is changing every year from new genres to exploring new adaptations of already made films. When it comes to Hollywood many are set in traditional ways and are not likely to these changes. It’s important to see how these changes occurring in these many industries will affect how we take in the entertainment we see and how it directly can reflect society if presented right.
Diversity is something that Hollywood has been asked by many to include in every project that is created to directly reflect the society we live in today. So when people of color (POCs) are casted in these larger roles to give them the same opportunities, why do they suddenly face so much critism?
Two examples of this recently have been with Disney’s live action remake of two princesses, Ariel from The Little Mermaid and Snow White from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Both women have been facing major back lash after Disney announced there casting in both movies. Many believe that because the roles have been kept as a white role it causes fans hesitate the changes being made to both characters. Disney themselves has created various sequels, prequels, stage adaptations, and theme park tie-ins as predominately white. However, this does not mean both roles must remain that way. Just because a role is known for something doesn’t mean change and adaptations to a story wouldn’t make it better or even add to the storyline. This is one of the many reasons why diversity is essential to film and entertainment.
"Just because a role is known for something doesn't mean change and adapations to a story wouldn't make it better."
Casted as Ariel in the live action Little Mermaid is Halle Bailey. Bailey is known for being one half of the R&B duo Chloe x Halle. The sisters have been nominated for two Grammy Awards and toured with Beyoncé. The casting of Ariel took many by surprise, but some fans were excited by the choice. Many of the surprised reactions were comments about her race and lack of red hair. The argument made by many defending the casting choice is that this story is fantasy meaning it’s not even a true story. This leaves room for adaptation and changes for how the characters can be portrayed as a not how they’re supposed to be. This choice would give Disney the chance to show the next generation of kids a different approach to the cartoon.
Despite the racists and ridiculous backlash, Bailey is a great choice to casts as Ariel with her great vocal talent and acting experience she is a popular figure with Disney’s key demographic. Bailey told Variety that, “I just feel like this role was something bigger than me, and greater. I feel like I’m dreaming and I’m just grateful and I don’t pay attention to the negativity. It’s going to be beautiful and I’m just so excited to be a part of it.” Many celebrities and artists have shown Bailey their support over social media such as Ariana Grande, Halley Berry, Willow Smith, Jordan Sparks and Gigi Hadid.
Casted as Snow White in the live action Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is Rachel Zegler. Zegler is known as a YouTuber who eventually became an actress in her breakout role in Steven Spielberg’s remake of West Side Story as Maria Vasquez. Spielberg said this of Zegler’s audition tape singing Tonight, “I just broke down in tears, not just me, everybody around us.” Zegler uploaded a cover of Lady Gaga’s Shallow on her YouTube channel which reached over 3.3 million views gaining her 218,000 channel subscribers. Since then, she has grown a loyal fan base on social media who has supported her through this journey to acting. The criticism behind her casting has been about her lack of Latin background due to her last name and that she is only half Colombian. Along with the casting choice of having a Latina portray Snow White a typically white role.
Buzzfeed wrote that Zegler told actor, Andrew Garfield as part of Variety’s Actors on Actors series that “I never in a million years imagined that that would be a possibility for me. Particularly Snow White, in general you don’t normally see Snow Whites that are of Latin descent.” Fans had questioned the casting choice because a Latina actress would be playing a character celebrated for having “skin as white as snow.” However, CNN reported that Zegler responded to the backlash in an interview by stating, “At one point, you just have to shut it all off and think, if I’m not going to read the bad, I’m not going to read the bad, I’m just not going to read the good either, and I’m just going to believe in what I believe in.” She has received the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy in 2021 from her role as Maria in West Side Story directed by Steven Spielberg. Zegler also mentions how “the conversation can turn really nasty, really fast when you’re talking about representation because it’s such a multidimensional conversation.” Regardless, she is a great choice for the role due to her talented voice and acting as seen in West Side Story.
"At one point you just have to shut it all off and think, if I'm not going to read the bad...I'm just not going to read the good either...I'm just going to believe in what I believe in." - Rachel Zegler
Seeing that Disney, a well-known and large company is diversifying its projects and brand is a huge step in seeing big changes in film for POCs in Hollywood. Having the same opportunities and being respected for their talents as other actors have been. These roles will show how representation will continue to be an important aspect of films. It will mean a lot to young African American and Latinx girls to see a Disney character just like them.
These opportunities are rare for POCs and it should be up to Disney to pave the way in diverse storytelling. Screen Rant explained that many films such as Disney’s Aladdin, Marvel’s Blank Panther, and Warner Brother’s Crazy Rich Asians have made huge amounts of money and created a wave of representation that was celebrated for its groundbreaking stance in Hollywood. As Screen Rant stated best, “This should be a moment to focus on the positives, but it’s also important to understand how advancements in pop culture and the entertainment industry are so easily weaponized by concerted hate movements, and what we can do to call that our when it occurs.” Hopefully, we will see many more diverse roles like these two and support around it.
Read more sources here:
2. Buzzfeed News: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/benhenry/rachel-zegler-snow-white-backlash-response
3. CNN: https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/01/entertainment/rachel-zegler-snow-white-criticism-scli-intl/index.html
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