Halle Bailey and Jodi Benson, the “new” Ariel and the original Ariel respectively, shared a special moment at the premiere of the new live-action “The Little Mermaid” film this week.
@disneymusic POV: You’re at #thelittlemermaid premiere and this happens
@halle @Jodi Benson #disney #premiere #littlemermaid #hallebailey #jodibenson
After meeting for an initial embrace, Benson is seen taking Bailey by the hands and presumably giving her some encouraging words for several seconds before finally embracing again and turning toward the cameras for a photo op.
Two Ariels: Halle Bailey and Jodi Benson
This wasn’t the first time that Bailey and Benson had interacted. According to the LA Times, Benson makes an on-land cameo in the film and was on set for the filming of “The Little Mermaid”. Benson was a source of on-set support for Bailey. “She told me how proud she was of me and how I’m handling everything, and encouraged me to just go for it,” Bailey said regarding Benson. “I appreciate her for being so warm and welcoming to me because she’s the GOAT, and it was important to me to get her stamp of approval.”
After the teaser trailer from the live-action “The Little Mermaid” film debuted D23 Expo last September, Benson took to her Instagram stories and called Bailey “absolutely amazing”.
“Thank you so much, Jodi Benson,” Bailey wrote back via Instagram stories. “This means the world to me coming from you! You made Ariel magical for us.”
Live-Action “The Little Mermaid”
Oscar-nominated Rob Marshall, known for his work with “Chicago” and Disney’s “Mary Poppins Returns,” directs “The Little Mermaid.” The remake stars Halle Bailey as mermaid princess Ariel, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Daveed Diggs as Sebastian the crab, Awkwafina as diving bird Scuttle, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder, Javier Bardem as King Triton, and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula. Noma Dumezweni will portray the new character Queen Selina, Eric’s mother.
The full trailer debuted during the Oscars and a teaser trailer was released this month. Alan Menken, who wrote the score for the original 1989 “The Little Mermaid,” made some lyrical updates for the live-action remake, with help from Lin-Manuel Miranda.
We also got a closer look at “The Little Mermaid” thanks to photos and interviews from Entertainment Weekly.
Live-Action Ariel Character Meet & Greets Coming to Disney Parks
The live-action Ariel from the upcoming “The Little Mermaid” remake will appear at Disneyland Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disneyland Paris this summer.
Halle Bailey, who portrays Ariel in the film, announced Ariel’s arrival in the following video.
We previously posted about Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort hiring Halle Bailey look-alikes for an unknown experience and Disneyland Paris hiring a look-alike parade performer.
Exact dates have not been announced for the Ariel meet and greets and experiences, but read more details about each below.
Ariel at Walt Disney Studios Park, Paris
Ariel will appear in a “joyful, limited-time celebration” at Walt Disney Studios Park in Disneyland Paris. The interactive “musical moment” will include the songs “Under the Sea” and “Kiss the Girl.”
Ariel at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
An Ariel meet and greet will open at Walt Disney Presents in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. For a limited time, a sneak peek and props from the film will be available at the Walt Disney Presents Theater.
Ariel at Disneyland Park
Ariel will greet Disneyland guests on the promenade near “it’s a small world.”
“The Little Mermaid” hits theaters on May 26, 2023. Are you excited to see Halle Bailey and Jodi Benson take to the silver screen to re-tell this classic Disney film? Let us know in the comments.
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