The magic of Disney got a bit of #BlackGirlMagic back at the beginning of July when news broke about Chloe X Halle singer Halle Bailey being casted as Ariel for the upcoming live-action remake of The Little Mermaid. Besides bringing her grammy-nominated and Beyoncé-approved vocals to the big-screen, Bailey will also become the first Black live-action princess in 22 years since Brandy’s Cinderella.
While, Bailey’s casting announcement was somewhat surprising, it’s a step in line with what’s become the current trend in castings. From Candice Patton’s Iris West and Anna Diop’s Starfire to Zendaya’s MJ, orange is becoming the new Black in Hollywood. White redheads keep getting recast by Black women making room for some much needed representation.
Unfortunately, many still aren’t on board for these on screen switch ups. #NotMyAriel went viral as white people rallied behind the hashtag to complain about Disney’s casting decision. Many tried defending their desire for a white actress by saying it wasn’t about race but about having “redhead representation” claiming that Bailey’s casting was another example of “ginger erasure.”
Not only is red hair not unique to white people, it’s a color that can easily be achieved through things like wigs and weaves, something that Black girls are no stranger to. For a group who’s constantly making the authenticity of our hair their concern, you’d think white people would remember that. Scarlett Johansson’s stiff wigs never seemed to be a problem. Then again, that would mean admitting that their outrage really was about race.
Black women have been wearing every style and every color under the sun since forever, red hair included. And anyone actually looking for redhead representation would’ve been getting their life from us these past few months. Maybe Mother Nature’s nationwide meltdown went straight to all our heads. Maybe we were all just trying to channel our inner Hot Girl™. Either way, Black women were on a major ginger binge this past season, making red the official hair color of the summer.
ZENDAYA
Zendaya playing MJ has been one of the biggest wins for Black girls and the “Ginger Agenda”. But she really put her foot in the role and on all our necks during the London leg of Spiderman: Far From Home’s promotion tour where she stepped out with an auburn semi-permanent dye job.
Wearing red is nothing new for Rih who rocked it all throughout her Loud album era. The color made a comeback in her style catalogue when the singer debuted deep burgundy knotless box braids at the first day of her Fenty pop-up shop in New York City. Then for the 2019 BET Awards she traded in the braids for a wavy high top pony in the same color.
BEYONCE & BLUE IVY
From Fulani braids to her signature waves, Beyoncé debuted multiple beauty looks in her “Spirit” music video. Both she and Blue wore saffron-colored curls in one scene backed by Bey’s dancers all wearing the same shade.
MEGAN THEE STALLION
From Hot Girl Meg to Tina Todoroki, flame red has always been a major part of Megan’s rap personas. Recently she swapped out her fiery tresses for a creamsicle-colored pixie cut which she blessed the Twitter tl with.
KEHLANI
Kehlani kept her Hot Girl Summer sweet and our edges empty with candy apple-colored hair in a range of cuts from a wavy blunt bob to sleek straight inches.
LIZZO
Lizzo performed for her idol Missy Elliot at the 2019 Songwriters Hall of Fame in honor of Elliot’s induction. To top off the tribute, the “Truth Hurts” singer sported crimson colored finger waves reminiscent of Missy’s iconic 90’s style.
FKA Twigs
The “Cellophane” singer showed up to the 2019 VMAS straight from a renaissance painting with soft cinnamon red curls tied loosely back which she paired with a copper cut crease.
Glamdom 