Rob Marshall wasn't specifically 'looking for a woman of colour' to lead The Little Mermaid

During an interview with Sky News's Backstage podcast, the award-winning film director discussed his decision to cast singer Halle Bailey as Ariel in the new live-action version of The Little Mermaid. "When we cast her there was no agenda, we weren't looking for a woman of colour, we saw every ethnicity for the role - we just wanted to find the best Ariel." Rob Marshall / Sky News's Backstage podcast. "That was all we cared about and she was the one, it was just so clear, and so I thought these people are so small-minded..."