The live-action Little Mermaid held its movie premiere in Los Angeles Tuesday night and brought out the Who’s Who of Black Hollywood and their children.
Celebrities went all out for the big night dressing up alongside their little ones to walk the red carpet.
Halle Bailey, who plays Ariel in the film, stopped to greet her adoring fans and even took pictures as she walked the carpet wearing a gorgeous water-inspired liquid dress by Valdrin Sahiti.
Halle Bailey was mer-made for this moment. ????♀️❤️ #TheLittleMermaid pic.twitter.com/PktqPIikFZ
— E! News (@enews) May 9, 2023
Rapper Offset dressed as a Prince to escort his daughters Kalea and Kulture, who got to meet Bailey and share a sweet hug inside the theatre.
Offset brings his daughters to premiere of "The Little Mermaid" pic.twitter.com/mQkpgwNx1W
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) May 9, 2023
Kulture meeting Halle Bailey for the first time at #TheLittleMermaid premiere. ????✨ pic.twitter.com/x2WS41NOR9
— Fan Account | #BLM ????❤️???? (@BardiUpdatess) May 9, 2023
Former Disney stars Tia and Tamera Mowery and Kyla Pratt were also spotted out with their kids as well as fashion icon and supermodel Heidi Klum.
Tamera Mowry-Housley, Ariah Talea Housley, Cairo Tiahna Hardrict, and Tia Mowry attend the world premiere of Disney's "The Little Mermaid" on May 08, 2023 in Hollywood, California pic.twitter.com/Bv6wjy2zC8
— Celeb News (@celebfashionnnn) May 9, 2023
No but why am I getting emotional that Tia Mowry is in the back looking at Halle and pointing at her so her daughter sees her?
Like ma’am, you were one of the first black girls on Disney, and now look at Halle being Ariel ???????? https://t.co/BzJeiSH5RE
— Nwamaka ✨ (@LoveWammie) May 9, 2023
The films cast, which includes comedians, Melissa McCarthy and Aquafina also got into character wearing themed dresses that evoked colors of the ocean and marine life.
Halle wore a fish tail ring while Melissa wore a tentacle ring on the same finger at the world premiere yesterday pic.twitter.com/lxJuNn5uhA
— ariesˣ (@callerypeartree) May 9, 2023
When the film was first announced, the cast and Disney received heavy criticism for casting a Black actress to take on the role of the iconic character, and the film was boycotted.
During a recent interview with British Vogue, “Little Mermaid” director Rob Marshall told the publication that hundreds of people auditioned for the role but Bailey was the first to audition and set the bar so high, “and no one ever surpassed that bar,” he said.
“She came in, and she sang ‘Part of Your World,’” he recalled. “And by the end of it, I was crying. I couldn’t believe the depth and the truth and the simplicity and passion she brought to the song. It was just so moving.”
First listen to “Under the Sea" with Daveed Diggs as Sebastian and Halle Bailey from #TheLittleMermaid . pic.twitter.com/JovYMyyDpg
— XMPL (@XMPLMAG) May 9, 2023
Be sure to catch Halle Bailey in The Little Mermaid on May 26, 2023, in theatres everywhere.
the little mermaid LA premiere.. we made it ????????you guys, i’m so overwhelmed and overjoyed that this movie is almost here for you all to see. this was the first premiere of the press run and i have been in tears and feeling oh so grateful.. this is just a little peak of some… pic.twitter.com/QccFrJ9TyB
— Halle (@HalleBailey) May 9, 2023
???? | Chloe Bailey gets emotional seeing her sister Halle’s Ariel doll at #TheLittleMermaid premiere. ???? pic.twitter.com/EsAwbCQtwP
— KenBarbie™ (@itsKenBarbie) May 9, 2023
To be a Black person and to see Halle as #TheLittleMermaid on posters, stores, all across America, being strong, Black, magical, and beautiful means so much. To see the reviews being so positive is a reminder of the accolades Black people deserve and rarely get. It inspires hope. pic.twitter.com/hRg7o8cpXN
— Chase Anderson, MD, MS (K.C. Ardem) ????????♂️????️???? (@ChaseTMAnderson) May 9, 2023