In recent years, Disney has been furiously announcing and releasing live-action remakes of animated classics, even opting to modernize some of them with more diverse casting choices. 2020 brought about Mulan, and the following two years gave us both Cruella and Pinocchio. Up next on the list are fan favourites such as Peter Pan & Wendy, and The Little Mermaid starring Halle Bailey in the leading role.
While Ariel is traditionally depicted as a fair-skinned, blue-eyed mermaid with bright red hair, producers are switching things up this time around. The R&B songstress, who’s best known for her vocal talents, perfectly captures the character’s singing voice, and she held on to some of the original’s appearance by colouring her long, wavy locs a ginger colour. As the movie’s May 26th premiere date nears, Bailey’s excitement is growing more and more.
In her most recent Instagram upload, she gets emotional while revealing The Little Mermaid doll designed to look like her. “This means so much to me and to have one that looks like me, that’s my favourite Disney character, is very surreal,” the 22-year-old gushed to the camera on Monday (March 6). “The little girl in me is pinching herself right now.”
The emotion was evident in Bailey’s face and voice as she spoke. “I am literally choking up because this means so much to me,” the actress said. “And look – she even has my mole! Look! And the hair, and the tail… And it can be in water!” she excitedly added. “I’m just stunned, so I don’t quite know what to do with it but I’m going to steal this and take it home and hide it forever.”
Disney Faces Racist Backlash
Halle Bailey attends D23 Expo 2022 at Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California on September 09, 2022. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
Halle Bailey’s excitement and happiness are shining so bright that it’s hard to dim, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t those out there trying. The Atlanta native has heard constant criticism from racists upset with Disney’s decision to cast Ariel as a Black woman, not to mention the complaints about Peter Pan & Wendy. Another young woman of colour, Yara Shadidi, is facing similar backlash for accepting the role of Tinkerbell, who’s also usually white. Read what Twitter has been saying about that here, and check back later for more pop culture news updates.
As I’m sure you know by now, Halle Bailey is due to appear as the titular character in Disney’s upcoming live-action remake of The Little Mermaid — which means that not only will her likeness be appearing in trailers and on billboards but on toy aisle shelves as well.
The singer choked up as she revealed the strikingly accurate Ariel doll in a video on her social media pages, gushing that “she even has my mole!” A voice can be heard from off-camera saying “I want one,” and fans are convinced that it’s none other than Halle’s mentor Beyoncé, as evidenced by a comment from her cousin Angie Beyince saying “I’m with [bee emoji] I want 1!”
omg the little girl in me is pinching herself right now ..i have my own Little Mermaid Ariel doll !!! I can’t believe how much she captures my version of this iconic character brb gonna go cry now … pic.twitter.com/NKn0H0mssT
Bailey’s casting, although progressive on its face, wasn’t without some controversy. Upon seeing the first teaser revealing Halle as the aquatic protagonist, some viewers took to social media to decry the casting decision. However, Halle took the criticism in stride, thanks to encouraging words from her grandparents and the realization that the casting was symbolic of progress for little Black girls who get to see themselves as princesses.
The same principle probably applies to the doll as well. While there’ve been plenty of Black dolls throughout the years, few have been officially licensed by Disney based on their most lucrative intellectual properties.
Halle Bailey and DDG are one of the hottest couples out right now. Though, we do not know how long they have really been each other’s lives, we can only speculate. One of the first times we’ve seen the young couple together was on Christmas in 2021. There was a photo circulating online of Halle at DDG’s home for the holidays. The rumors started then, but didn’t really heat up until last year.
From attending awards shows to red carpet movie premieres, the past year DDG and Halle have been putting their relationship on display. With rumors, old flames, and social media, it’s hard to have a drama-free relationship these days. But, they both manage to keep things together. Although we don’t know everything about their relationship, we have been keeping up with their love life.
Here’s a timeline of DDG and Halle Bailey’s romance.
January 1, 2022: At the top of the year, Halle Bailey and DDG were spotted at the Usher’s Las Vegas Residency. That’s when the rumors started to circulate throughout social media. Usher even posted a picture with the rumored couple on his Instagram story that night.
January 7, 2022: DDG posts photo on Instagram on vacation in a snowy area with snowboarding gear on. Halle also posts a photo in a winter setting snuggling with her cat. Fans speculated that they were on vacation together, possibly the Maldives, though neither party confirmed that to be true.
February 4, 2022: DDG takes Halle on an adventurous date. The two went underwater swimming like mermaids while holding hands. Halle said it was the most fun she has had in a while.
February 7, 2022: A month later, they were out together again in Los Angeles. Paparazzi caught them leaving Nobu restaurant as Bailey tried to keep her head down, while getting in the car.
February 19, 2022: DDG defends Halle after a fan makes a negative comment about her on social media. Bailey went on Instagram Live to show how she looks without any makeup on. While watching live, DDG took to the comments to let her know how beautiful she is. One user didn’t feel the same way and wrote, “She’s not cute to me”.
DDG had time to clap back and responded, “You too old for this. Yo [p*****] barely work [a clown emoji] look in da mirror . U a 2 on yo BEST day.”
March 27, 2022: DDG makes their relationship Instagram official by wishing Bailey a happy birthday with the caption “Happy Birthday to the beautifulest, the flyest, the sweetest [heart emoji] love you forever[sad face emoji, diamond emoji]”
April 18, 2022: Weeks after making their relationship officially pubic, the couple attend Coachella. During a party, Halle & DDG are dancing, smiling, and taking selfies.
June 3, 2022: Halle posted a video on TikTok of her teaching DDG how to sing. Looks like he might be doing a duet with his girlfriend in the near future.
June 26, 2022: The young couple made their debut on the red carpet at the BET Awards.
July 5, 2022: DDG sits down with DJ Akademiks for an interview where he has nothing but praises for his girlfriend.
”I honestly get inspired by my girl. She honestly motivated me to be better and work harder and get to certain levels. I look up to her in a sense ‘cause it’s, like, I never been around nobody that really…’cause i feel like I’m always the motivator, I’m the inspirer.”
August 6, 2022: A month after DDG made his sweet comments about his girl, she returned the favor. In an Essence cover feature, Halle says she is “for sure” in love with DDG as she has been a fan of his since 2015, when DDG was a Youtuber.
August 26, 2022: DDG filmed the video for his song, “If I Want You”, and guess who was the star? None other than his lover, Halle. Not only is she the star of the video, but she also provides some background vocals.
September 23, 2022: DDG speaks with DJ Bootleg Kev, in which he discusses the racist backlash Halle has been getting from being casted as Ariel, in the new version of The Little Mermaid.
”I didn’t know people was this racist-I didn’t know this was a thing.” He continued to express his confusion with the racist remarks. ”I thought this s*** was gone already, I thought that s*** was gone! I thought Martin Luther King canceled that s*** out! This s*** is crazy, I was like ‘what the f*** is these n***** talking about?’”
Many fans did not like what he said, but the rapper assured fans he was only joking.
September 28, 2022: The young hot couple attended Paris Fashion Week together as they both wore comfortable casual outfits to Roger Viver’s show.
October 10, 2022: Date night again for the couple as they leave a restaurant in Los Angeles. DDG’s birthday is on the 10th as well as Halle took to Instagram to appreciate her boo with a montage of phots.
October 22, 2022: They attended the 5th annual Wearable Art Gala. The couple complimented each other’s outfits by wearing all-black. DDG wore an all-black suit while Bailey donned a black jeweled gown.
December 13, 2022: The couple attend the premiere for Avatar 2: The Way of the Water.
This year, the young couple are facing some challenges. Earlier this year, after posting a cryptic tweet, DDG had to clear up rumors that he and Halle are not breaking up. Fans were confused about his tweet: ”All these girls the same ain’t no wayy” with a crying face emoji. He also removed all of his pictures of her on his Instagram and stopped following her.
Chloe and Halle’s older sister, Sky, was confused as well and wanted answers. She took to Instagram Live to blast DDG, but soon recanted her statements as Halle assured her, she wasn’t having any issues with her man.
DDG responded on Twitter stating that there was no cheating going on, reminding people that it’s just Twitter.
Last month, after Halle posted a photo of herself to Instagram, fans noticed she was wearing the same shirt Rubi Rose wore when she was with DDG. Rose and DDG dated briefly in 2020. She saw this as well and took to Twitter to call the rapper a “weirdo”, but she didn’t stop there.
Rose exposed DDG for sliding in her DMs not too long ago. Apparently, DDG hit Rose up first with intentions to link up. Rose responds by writing, “U hitting me the day y’all argue is so u lol” and DDG replied, “lol u right, lemme go heal first”. The two former flames went back and forth on Twitter with insults.
Bailey chimed in and stood by her man with the tweet, ”the devil is working lol please don’t feed into the lies, especially from a third party”.
Last week, the couple was at Milan Fashion Week with all smiles. It’s safe to say they are doing well!
Let us know if you think Halle and DDG will last in the comments.
Just when you thought the drama between DDG and Rubi Rose had dissipated, he decided to rehash his viral moment. The rappers dated years ago, but Rubi created tension when she accused DDG of letting Halle Bailey wear her clothing. The Little Mermaid star and DDG are happily in love these days, and instead of allowing Rubi’s comment to pass, he engaged in a back-and-forth on social media.
Bailey chimed in to say that everything was fine and wished everyone nothing but the best. However, DDG decided to go a different route, and soon, Rubi was sharing screenshots from her ex. He was quickly accused of attempting to step out on Bailey, but the controversy ended as quickly as it started. Then, today (February 24), DDG returned with another message to Rose, this time in the form of a song, “Way Too Petty.”
Fans Accuse DDG Of Wanting Rubi Rose
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 24: Halle Bailey and DDG are seen at the Gucci show during Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2023/24 on February 24, 2023 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images for Gucci)
Although he has repeatedly stated that he is over his ex, DDG faced critics who thought otherwise. The Shade Room shared a clip of DDG dancing to “Way Too Petty,” and the comment section lit up. People questioned why Bailey was in a relationship with him, while others urged the singer to cut him loose. After perusing through the negativity, DDG fired off a comment of his own.
“I don’t want that woman i swear,” DDG wrote. “I explained it all in the song can y’all stop hating me now i come in peace if u reading this u look beautiful today. Make sure you smile sweet heart .” This is a much different tone that his previous reactions, as he would often clap back at critics. It’s unclear what Bailey thinks of her boyfriend releasing a song about his ex-girlfriend. However, she was sitting pretty with him at Milan Fashion Week.
When her name isn’t mixed up with her boyfriend’s antics, Halle Bailey is preparing for the release of The Little Mermaid. The live-action film has been promoted for years and will arrive on May 26. This means that Bailey’s roll-out season is just about to kick in full force. It seems her fanbase wants to make sure she’s protected from any further controversy.
For several weeks now, celebrities and fashion lovers alike have been flocking to various cities all over the world to catch the countless designer runway shows taking place this season. We’ve already seen the stars take over cities like New York, Paris, and London. Now, things are unfolding in beautiful Milan, where the Gucci F/W 2023/24 collection made its debut earlier today (February 24).
The fashion show was the first designed by creative director Sabato De Sarno, who took over at the Italian house last September. The collection included several bold sheer moments, as well as dramatic fur coats, sleep businesswear, and pops of bold colour. Among those sitting in the audience to take in the runway were DDG and Halle Bailey, who have been aggressively fighting off breakup rumours this month.
DDG Claps Back at Hating Halle Bailey Fans
crazy how the world was just dicksuckin’ my excellent boyfriend attributes & skills, but as a soon as one of my obsessors try to “expose” me, i’m the worse nigga ever. y’all only do this with successful BLACK men.
Though he’s across the world taking in stunning designs this week, the Michigan native still made time to put out some art of his own. His New Music Friday contribution came in the form of “Way Too Petty,” a track which breaks down his recent drama with Rubi Rose. It specifically denies her claims that Bailey was wearing her old shirt, and also includes plenty of disses for his ex.
As he continues to put his relationship problems on blast, fans of the R&B starlet are encouraging her to walk away from DDG. He obviously isn’t taking kindly to this, if his tweets are any indication. “Crazy how the world was just d*cksuckin’ my excellent boyfriend attributes and skills, but as soon as one of my obsessors try to ‘expose’ me, I’m the worse n*gga ever,” he wrote yesterday. “Y’all only do this with successful BLACK men.”
Milan Fashion Week’s Finest
Halle Bailey and DDG are seen at the Gucci show during Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2023/24 on February 24, 2023 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images for Gucci)
Despite the world’s pleas, Bailey proved that she and the 25-year-old are still very much together during today’s Gucci runway. Looking as stunning as ever in a light pink strappy dress, the Atlanta native sat beside DDG in the venue’s front row. Paparazzi photos show that she didn’t hesitate to show her man affection, resting her head on his shoulder while he cooly looks off into the distance.
For his part, the YouTuber wore a grey utility suit with vintage Gucci monogram details. His feet were fully covered in chunky black boots, and a stack of silver chains peaked out from under his jacket. Others in attendance for the highly anticipated show include A$AP Rocky, Salma Hayek, and Julia Garner. Find more photos of Bailey and her beau at Milan Fashion Week below.
Halle Bailey and DDG are seen at the Gucci show during Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2023/24 on February 24, 2023 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images for Gucci)
DDG declared that he was in love with a mermaid (that mermaid being his girlfriend, Halle Bailey) back in December. However, despite the Potomac native sharing how the singer served as an inspiration to him to be better, rumors began to circulate that the pair had broken up earlier this month.
For weeks, social media users urged Bailey to leave the rapper as they claimed he was damaging her buddy brand. The calls only grew louder when DDG’s ex-partner, fellow recording artist Rubi Rose, shared a screenshot alleging that he was still attempting to contact her, and weirdly enough gifted Bailey a t-shirt that once belonged to her. On his latest single, “Way Too Petty,” DDG is addressing all of the online chatter and more.
The rapper doesn’t mince his words, rapping, “Hoes screenshotting, that sh*t lame / Keep her on the side, she could never be my main,” and, “She just wanna make it, she be f*cked for the fame / Posting pictures naked, baby, you should be ashamed,” seemingly direct jabs at Rose. He didn’t stop there, rapping, “Tell them n***** do they research / I could fall off and come right back like it’s rebirth / Don’t believe the internet, it’s not that b*tch’s t-shirt.”
DDG then took a moment to respond to critics questioning why Bailey remains with him despite the circulating rumors, to which he answered, “I got a mean d*ck,” a line he’s used on social media in the past.
In the accompanying video directed by LewisYouNasty, take it a step further, calling out a few blogs and online users by name.
The drama continues. If you thought DDG was done addressing the accusations Rubi Rose threw his way earlier this month, you’re wrong. After vehemently denying cheating on his girlfriend, Halle Bailey, the Michigan native has been regularly reminding Twitter precisely what it is that makes him such a great boyfriend. He’s made it clear that he wants to continue his relationship with the R&B starlet, though fans are becoming less and less sure they’re the perfect match.
Previously, the “Elon Musk” artist spoke about the situation in a YouTube vlog, which many viewers saw as a satisfactory explanation. Many also noted that Bailey made a brief appearance in the video, seemingly proving that their union hasn’t been tarnished as many outside spectators assume. Like any creative though, he also had to turn his pain into art, doing so in the form of a new single called “Way Too Petty” that arrived on Friday (February 24).
DDG Thinks Rubi Rose is “Way Too Petty”
Throughout his new track, DDG explicitly calls out Rose for attempting to expose him with screenshots of their alleged DMs. “Hoes screenshotting, that shit lame / Keep her on the side, she could never be my main,” he cooly rhymes. “She just wanna make it, she be f*cked for the fame / Posting pictures naked, baby, you should be ashamed.” Later on in the single, he also addresses his ex’s recent tweet about his current girlfriend wearing her old shirt.
“Tell them n*ggas do they research. I could fall off and come right back like it’s rebirth. Don’t believe the internet, it’s not that bitches t-shirt,” he cautions listeners, telling his side of the story. While her post at the time made it sound as though the Kentucky native had a problem with Bailey, she made it clear at the time that there was no beef between the two women. DDG, on the other hand, she chiefly called a “weirdo” for all of Twitter to see.
Halle Bailey Fans Come to the Rescue, DDG Responds
As the YouTuber continues to air out his drama for all of the internet to see, many of The Little Mermaid actresses’ fans are encouraging her to walk away from the relationship. “Halle get back in that sea and find another fish baby,” one Instagram user joked. “Is he trying to ruin her career?” another asked in wake of DDG’s latest controversial single. He’s clearly gotten wind of the critics and in a since-deleted tweet, he explained to them exactly why Bailey’s still standing beside him.
“‘Why tf she still fw him?’ I got a mean d*ck,” he explicitly wrote, only bringing in further backlash. As one comment on @theneighborhoodtalk’s post points out, “[DDG] is comfortable with [Halle] now and showing them true colours. She needs to run ’cause the red flags are red flagging.” Do you think the “Way Too Petty” song and the rapper’s deleted tweet are strong enough cause for a breakup? Sound off in the comments, and check back later for more pop culture news.
Disney’s newest princess, Halle Bailey, is set to star in the 2023 remake of The Little Mermaid. As the cover star of The Face magazine’s spring issue, Halle reflects on her role in the live-action film and reveals how she connects deeply with her character. The 22-year-old also dishes down on Rob Marshall’s take on the Disney classic, noting how Ariel now has more “freedom,” versus her typical suppressed characterization. “What’s beautiful about this version of The Little Mermaid is that it’s a lot more modern,” she tells the magazine.
When Bailey was first announced to be Ariel, she was met with racist backlash. Critics claimed that a Black woman cast in this role didn’t fit the normal description for the mermaid, which spiraled into a #NotMyAriel hashtag, the magazine notes. With support from her closest friends and family, however, Bailey didn’t get discouraged. “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,” she tells The Face.
Halle Bailey Channels Her Inner Ariel In A Beachside Photoshoot
When rehearsals first started for The Little Mermaid, Bailey was only 19 and had trouble adjusting to being away from her family. But, she notes how this experience has shifted her in a positive way, revealing how she learned to be “independent.” Bailey added, “on the set of Mermaid, I learned how to say, ‘This is what I need’, without feeling bad about it.” The singer-turned-actor also reflected on how she realized parallels between her and the role she was taking on. “I felt like God was lining up themes in my life with the character,” Bailey explained. “Ariel has this longing for something more. She doesn’t quite know what it is yet, but she has to be brave in order to find it on her own.”
Although young, Bailey has already paved an acclaimed career for herself. She initially gained recognition for her work in Chlöe x Halle, an R&B duo featuring her older sister. With Beyoncé’s mentorship, the sisters have earned five Grammy nominations. Between her ongoing music career and the May 26th release of The Little Mermaid, this talented performer is proving to build up a legacy. For more news on all things hip-hop and pop culture, check out HNHH.
the little girl in me is pinching herself right now ..i have my own Little Mermaid Ariel doll !!! I can’t believe how much she captures my version of this iconic character 
brb gonna go cry now … 
(@jayzswife) 
can y’all stop hating me now i come in peace 
.” This is a much different tone that his previous reactions, as he would often clap back at critics. It’s unclear what Bailey thinks of her boyfriend releasing a song about his ex-girlfriend. However, she was sitting pretty with him 
