“The Little Mermaid” Controversy: Halle Bailey’s Uncomfortable Encounter with Patricio Borghetti in Mexico

Since Disney announced the Live version of his classic “The Little Mermaid”which hits the big screen on May 25, 2023 in Latin America, and a day later in Spain and the United States, the controversy will remain around the choice of Halle Bailey in the role of Ariel; And it is that for many, an African-American actress should not have been the protagonist, a discomfort to which the production that followed with the film turned a deaf ear. Taking advantage of the fact that the tape soon reaches the cinema, the American singer also traveled to Mexico to promote it; However, what should have been a moment of emotion and satisfaction, turned into a bitter pill after a comment by Patricio Borghetti, from “Venga la alegría”.

What exactly did he say to her and how did the comedian react? It should be noted that the actress’s discomfort would have occurred later, but with the managers of Disney Studios.

American singer Halle Bailey attends the 2022 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards held at Barker Hangar at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California on April 9, 2022 (Photo: Michael Tran/AFP)

Halle Bailey was very happy and grateful to the Mexicans for the reception she received for the promotion of “The Little Mermaid”. “I’m excited that people like the movie,” she said during the interview she had on the “Venga la alegría” program.

Everything was going well the conversation until the director Patricio Borguetti thought of dedicating a few words to himwhich apparently were to praise his work, but which ended up being distorted.

Taking into account that he and his family had attended the preview of the film, they launched themselves with everything and told him: “This is not a question, it is something that I want to share with you, I promise.” None of us who were in that room yesterday were seeing the color of your skin, everyone, including my wife and my children, we were lost in your eyes, all of us“.

After what was indicated by the Argentine, the actress thanked him for his words. “That means a lot to me, that makes me feel gratified, happy and glad to be in Mexico and for me it has been a very special night.”

Singer and actress Halle Bailey arrives at the 36th Annual Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California on March 4, 2023 (Photo: Michael Tran / AFP)

Following Borguetti’s comment, social networks exploded and accused him of being racistSome even felt ashamed that the Argentine had conducted the interview. “I almost almost told her: ‘I’m such a good person that I ignore the fact that you’re black’”, “Even if you’re black we don’t care. Wey, what a pity *”,“ What a necessary comment ”,“ I’m missing saying that he was making History for being ‘bold’ and appearing in movies. Racism naturalized with words of love that are exclusive. The usual soflama! ”, Were some of the comments.

The driver defended himself after Twitter user Pável Gaona wrote: “Yes, no, it was known that they were going to come out with at least one racist comment in Venga La Alegría: ‘I swear that no one in the room was seeing the color of your pir’. And the soulful little music, as if they were flattering her. WTF, so many things to say or ask him and THIS”.

What did he answer? “I feel sorry and a little ashamed that you want to transform words of love into thisI thought you were smarter. I told him that he was making history and changing the world for the better. She received it with gratitude and love, you couldn’t and you edited it”.

I feel sorry and a little ashamed that you want to transform words of love into this. I thought you were smarter. I told him that he was making history and changing the world for the better. She received it with gratitude and love. You could not. And you edited it. ✌️

— Patricio Borghetti (@patoborghetti) May 12, 2023

Anker halle bailey he thanked the controversial words of Patricio Borghetti in full interview; the truth is yes, he had been uncomfortable, so much so that he would have talked with Disney executives.

According to El Universal, The star of “The Little Mermaid” complained to senior managers of Disney Studios about the interviews they conducted in Mexicospecifically because of what was said by the Argentine on TV Azteca.

She would have questioned being taken to the Aztec country to endure various types of comments regarding her skin colorFor this reason, she asked that she not be exposed to this type of situation in front of journalists who were not sufficiently prepared; something that because of her position would end all kinds of reactions in the representatives of Disney in Mexico.