Who is Naomi Scott? The London actress playing Princess Jasmine in the Aladdin live action movie
Critics say Disney should have hired an Arab actress for the role
NAOMI Scott has been cast as Princess Jasmine in the upcoming live action remake of Aladdin.
Here's everything you need to know about the London actress who has landed one of the biggest roles in Hollywood.
Who is Naomi Scott?
Naomi, 24, is a British actress who was born in London on May 6, 1993.
She caught the acting bug early and first started singing with the Bridge Church Youth Band and also performed in school musicals.
Clearly talented from a young age, she was discovered by former Eternal star Kelle Bryan who signed her as a client.
Both of Naomi's parents are pastors and she says playing piano at Church helped her to hone her skills as a performer.
"Growing up in the Church fostered an inner spirituality that also introduced me to the concept of music having a deeper meaning," she told Hyperbae.
"There has always been a connection between my faith, and realising that music can have a soul and purpose, which has ultimately affected the way I approach the art."
What is the controversy surrounding her casting?
Disney has been criticised for not casting an Arab actress in the role of Jasmine.
Egyptian actor Mena Massoud will play Aladdin in the Guy Ritchie directed flick opposite Will Smith as the genie.
However, not everyone is happy about the casting with many movie fans taking to Twitter to discuss it.
One wrote: “People have a right to be upset about Naomi Scott being cast. They're upset that their representation was taken away, and rightly so."
Another said: "All these Arab actresses on the planet and they cast half-white, half-Indian Naomi Scott as Jasmine. Indian isn't middle-eastern, Hollywood. Just because you're brown does not mean you're middle-eastern!"
Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall was also in talks for the role but appears to be "over it" after losing out to Naomi.
Is she single?
Naomi is married to footballer Jordan Spence, 27.
She married the Ipswich Town defender in June 2014 after four years of dating.
What else has she starred in?
Naomi's first role was in 2009 when she played Megan in Disney Channel UK series Life Bites.
The actress then got her first big break in a Disney Channel Original Movie, Lemonade Mouth in 2011.
She also played Kimberley Hart - the pink Power Ranger - in the Power Rangers blockbuster that was released earlier this year.
