The Six Most Heart-Warming Moments from ‘The Little Mermaid’ Premiere

One little mermaid has received massive press—critical and congratulatory—since The Little Mermaid’s live remake announcement in 2019. Finally, Halle Bailey dazzled in a Valdrin Sahiti gown on the blue carpet during last night’s LA premiere, and the night was swimming in moments that tugged on our heartstrings.

From Disney Royalty to precious family photo ops to Disney Dreamers seeing their wishes come true, these are the best moments from The Little Mermaid premiere.

1. Sisterly Support

Is there any better cheerleader out there than your sister? Chloe Bailey, the other half of the musical power duo Chloe x Halle, squealed when she saw her mermaid sister strut down the step and repeat. We love to see it, and it might have just topped all the other star-studded moments.

Halle x Chloe at the #TheLittleMermaid premiere pic.twitter.com/CKS2KTo9v8

— Chlöe x Halle Now (@cxhnow) May 9, 2023

Related: ‘The Little Mermaid’ Anticipates $110M for Its Opening

2. Disney Dreamers Academy

Two aspiring filmmakers and high school students—Dylan Jones of Atlanta, GA, and Madison Henderson of Los Angeles, CA—saw what dreams were made of when Halle Bailey selected them to meet her in Hollywood at The Little Mermaid premiere. While serving as the celebrity ambassador for Disney Dreamers Academy at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida earlier this spring, Halle chose the students from a competitive program. Their faces on the blue carpet were priceless.

At Disney Dreamers Academy, DDA 2023 Ambassador @HalleBailey invited aspiring filmmakers Dylan and Madison to join her at the @LittleMermaid premiere. Last night, their dreams came true!#ddaDisney #be100 #TheLittleMermaid pic.twitter.com/Im7A4DLdBw

— Disney Dreamers (@dreamersacademy) May 9, 2023

3. Princess Tiana

Another groundbreaking Disney star, Anika Noni Rose, graced the blue carpet in a stunning, sparkling, strapless gown. Anika, the voice of Tiana, Disney’s first African-American princess, supported Halle and her journey as a fellow boundary-breaking Disney princess.  

https://twitter.com/VERONASFILMS/status/1655748469691129856

Related: Filmmakers Call Out Disney For Promoting ‘Little Mermaid’ During Oscars Broadcast

4. Offset

Dressed to the nines with daughters Kulture and Kalea, Offset ushered his family down the blue carpet in rare form. Offset demonstrated his fatherly love while his tiny princesses anticipated seeing the newest Ariel on screen. @Alien_SuperSyn commented: 

“They’re so excited awww. Kids need these moments”

They're so excited awww. Kids need these moments

— It's God, Revere Her (@Alien_SuperSyn) May 9, 2023

5. Sister, Sister

Another iconic sister duo, Tia and Tamera Mowry showed up to the LA premiere with special little guests: Tia’s daughter Cairo, 5, and Tamera’s daughter Ariah, 7. On Tia’s Instagram Story, she shared that “she was still on a high” after leaving the premiere, emphasizing how important it is to have a princess like Ariel who “her daughter can really see herself in.” 

Tia and Tamera Mowry Enjoy Date Night with Their Daughters at 'The Little Mermaid' Premiere: Photo https://t.co/GouB8sOwbN

— People (@people) May 9, 2023

6. The OG Ariel

Every Disney story needs to come full circle, and Jodi Benson’s appearance at the premiere was the passing of Triton’s trident that we all needed. The actress behind the original Ariel, Benson, has supported Halle as she steps into her fins.

https://twitter.com/VERONASFILMS/status/1655747321697583107

All the bright-eyed dreamers coming together brought the essence of Disney’s magic into The Little Mermaid’s premiere. Set to hit theaters May 26; the film features a star-studded cast with Halle Bailey as Ariel, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder, Daveed Diggs as Sebastian, Awkwafina as Scuttle, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, and Javier Bardem as King Triton.