When the casting of singer and actress Halle Bailey as Ariel was announced for Disney‘s live-action remake of the classic fairytale The Little Mermaid, fans of the animated classic lost it. In essence, people complained that Bailey didn’t have the intended “look” from the original 1989 movie. You heard us right – 1989! Let’s just say it like it is; people were racist. Critics online weren’t afraid to air out their prejudice and bully this budding young Black actress in what appeared to be her big break.
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“As a Black person, you just expect it and it’s not really a shock anymore,” Bailey told The Face, per The Hollywood Reporter. “I know people are like, ‘It’s not about race.’ But now that I’m her … People don’t understand that when you’re Black there’s this whole other community. It’s so important for us to see ourselves.”
Luckily for everyone else, the production didn’t listen to the haters. Instead, Bailey embodied Ariel’s spirit and showed off her major singing chops in the snippet of “Part of Your World” in the movie’s trailer.
And, on May 8, Bailey, co-stars, friends, and family all joined to celebrate the movie’s big premiere at the Dolby Theatre. “It’s so amazing to be able to play this iconic role, I feel honored to be here today,” she told The Hollywood Reporter on the carpet. “I’m so grateful that everybody’s going to be able to watch it all together and I just cannot wait.” The Little Mermaid hits theaters soon on May 26.
Check out some of the premiere’s best looks below!
Melissa McCarthy
Image Credit: Anna Webber for Variety Melissa McCarthy perfectly complemented the carpet’s backdrop in this royal blue dress with puffed sleeves and fringed trim. The actress, who plays Ursula in the movie, then accessorized with vibrant blue gloves, matching heels and a warm brown smokey eye.
Heidi Klum
Image Credit: Anna Webber for Variety Model and red carpet veteran Heidi Klum looked like the definition of ethereal in this embellished floral gown with a long train in the back.
Halle Bailey
Image Credit: Anna Webber for Variety The star of the movie Halle Bailey looked like a true movie star in this glistening silver strapless gown by Valdrin Sahiti.
Chlöe Bailey
Image Credit: Anna Webber for Variety Halle’s sister Chlöe Bailey also turned heads in this bright yellow sequined gown with a silver-encrusted chest cutout.
Offset, Kulture Kiari Cephus & Kalea Marie Cephus
Image Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic Rapper Offset made the carpet a daddy-daughter moment by bringing his daughters Kulture Kiari and Kalea Marie Cephus. How adorable do these three look in their matching black-and-white outfits?
Awkwafina
Image Credit: Anna Webber for Variety Awkwafina was all smiles on the carpet in this golden Simone Rocha two-piece set with black heels and a matching clutch.
John Stamos
Image Credit: Anna Webber for Variety John Stamos kept it classic and sea-inspired in this teal suit and black button-down underneath. Fun fact: Stamos played Chef Louis in a live special of The Little Mermaid back in 2019!
Tamera Mowry-Housely & Ariah Housely
Image Credit: Anna Webber for Variety Tamera Mowry-Housely brought her daughter Ariah Housely as her plus one to the carpet. Tamera looked stunning in this aqua-turned-violet off-the-shoulder dress while Ariah looked ultra adorable in this white and pink floral number.
Javier Bardem
Image Credit: Anna Webber for Variety Javier Bardem, who plays King Triton in the movie, stuck to the classics in this full black suit.
Daveed Diggs
Image Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic Who said menswear has to be boring? Actor Daveed Diggs, who plays Sebastian in the movie, took the sea theme to heart in this multi-colored sea-inspired two-piece set.
Simone Ashley
Image Credit: Anna Webber for Variety Bridgerton‘s Simone Ashley, who plays the mermaid Indira in the movie, turned heads in this bright pink and cream dress from Atelier Versace.
Tia Mowry & Cairo Tiahna Hardrict
Image Credit: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney Much like her sister, Tia Mowry also made the event mommy-daughter time by bringing her daughter Cairo Tiahna Hardrict. Tia looked fun and fresh in this metallic silver skirt and white top while Cairo looked ultra-adorable in this pink and blue tutu dress.
Jonah Hauer-King
Image Credit: Frazer Harrison/WireImag The Little Mermaid‘s Prince Eric, aka Jonah Hauer-King, looked dapper in this black suit and white button-down.
Stephanie Beatriz
Image Credit: Frazer Harrison/WireImage Brooklyn Nine-Nine alum Stephanie Beatriz looked radiant in this high-low rose gold dress with a plunging neckline.
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