Upon the casting of singer and actress Halle Bailey in the role of Ariel, Disney was branded as pushing its diversity and inclusion efforts, walking that thin line of political correctness. Bailey, a Black actress, takes on the role of the singing mermaid made famous by Jodi Benson.

Yes, beginning in May 2023, Disney World introduced a meet-and-greet version of Ariel based on the live-action remake starring Halle Bailey. This version of Ariel, who is Black, can be found at Walt Disney Presents in Disney's Hollywood Studios, where guests can meet her in a setting inspired by Prince Eric’s castle. It is important to note that the original, animated-style Ariel (with red hair and fair skin) still appears in other locations, such as the Ariel’s Grotto meet-and-greet in Magic Kingdom and the "Under the Sea" attraction. Furthermore, for 2025 and 2026, Disney is launching a new stage show, The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, which continues to feature the character in various artistic interpretations. For young fans, there is also the Disney Jr. Ariel animated series (premiered 2024), which features a Black Ariel in a Caribbean-inspired setting, ensuring that multiple versions of the character coexist within the parks and media to represent both the classic and modern films.