The Little Mermaid slammed for teaching girls to 'give up their voice' for a man

English singer and actress Paloma Faith has been facing backlash online for criticising Disney’s new live-action version of The Little Mermaid, which released in cinemas last week.

The Little Mermaid (2023) stars Halle Bailey as Ariel, and based on its 95% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s safe to say that the majority of fans are thrilled with the movie. However, as UNILAD reports, Faith recently took to Instagram to slam the film for potentially teaching young girls that “it’s okay to give up your entire voice and your powers to love a man”.

Take a look at the trailer for The Little Mermaid (2023) below.

“Just seen the new Little Mermaid with my kids, and while I think Halle gives an amazing performance and it's great casting, as a mother of girls, I don’t want my kids to think it’s ok to give up your entire voice and your powers to love a man,” Faith wrote in a since-deleted Instagram story. “[What the f**k] is this s**t?! Not what I want to be teaching next-gen women at all.”

Fans of the movie, however, have been defending the plot (which remains faithful to the 1989 animated version), and have pointed out that Ariel’s wish to become human had existed long before she met her love interest.

“Not only is this the exact same plot from the original movie but I’m tired of this narrative because if y’all actually paid ATTENTION to the movie you’d know Ariel wanted to be human WAY before she even saw and fell in love with Eric so she didn’t give up her voice for a MAN,” @nightwaynes tweeted. “Some of you misinterpret the story SO much. Ariel wanted to be free and learn about human culture. She collected human things before she even KNEW Eric existed. She is the first Disney princess to EVER save her prince. Eric was the catalyst of her decision but not the cause,” wrote @ifkate. “‘You shouldn’t have to give up your voice to be heard’ is an actual line in the movie [by the way],” added @cursedhive.

The Little Mermaid (2023) is out in cinemas now.