When "The Little Mermaid" cast Ariel in 2019, many people were furious over Halle Bailey, an African-American actress, playing a fictional creature depicted as having white skin in the 1989 animated feature.
Bailey received tremendous flak and doubts from the public, saying she doesn't fit the bill, because of her skin color. Stephanie Mills felt the same way when she stepped on the ruby slippers that Judy Garland made famous in 1939 at "The Wizard of Oz" movie for the Broadway adaptation of "The Wiz."
Stephanie Mills Backs Up Halle Bailey
In a heartfelt Facebook post, the Grammy-winning singer recalled the hatred she received back then when she was cast as Dorothy Gale in the 1975 production of "The Wiz," which was drawn in the context of contemporary African-American culture.
"I know what this baby #HalleBailey has been dealing with. I got so much hate mail, I was told Judy Garland "is turning over in her grave". All because a little black girl was playing a role, that was once played by a white girl," she recalled.
Garland famously played the role in the 1939 live-action adaptation of the famous fantasy novel by L. Frank Baum.
READ ALSO: 'The Little Mermaid' Bombarded With Negative Reviews; IMDb Issues a Warning - What Happened?
According to Mills, it's the same thing that she sees happening to the " beautiful, talented, smart and intelligent actress," that is Bailey.
"Halle, God put you in this place and time....So let your light shine. Hold your head up high, walk in your peace, and celebrate the greatness that you are," she continued. "They told me I would never make it on Broadway, they told me I couldn't sing, they told me I was to dark, I have watched and listened to "they" try to tell you why you shouldn't and couldn't. Well this weekend your movie comes out," she said.
Although Mills confessed that they have never met yet, she assured the young actress that she felt and understand being in her shoes now. She even asked everyone to watch "The Little Mermaid" in theatres.
'The Little Mermaid' Box Office Success
To date, Billboard reported that the movie has performed well on its Memorial Weekend box office with $95.5 million in revenue in North America.
It also topped box office sales in the United Kingdom and Overseas, according to multiple reports.
READ ALSO: Paloma Faith Loved Halle Bailey on 'The Little Mermaid' But Hated One Thing Only
