As Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid (1989) finally swims onto Disney Plus (stylistically Disney+), it continues to shatter through glass ceilings, breaking record after record.
Halle Bailey, the star who brought Princess Ariel to life in the live-action Little Mermaid (2023), is no stranger to unfounded criticisms. But these criticisms have recently reached a new level.
Halle Bailey May Be Fighting Some Allegations Soon…
READ MORE: Live-Action “Little Mermaid” Continues to DOMINATE, Breaking Yet Another Record
It’s no secret that involvement in a Disney original film, especially one as famous and far-reaching as The Little Mermaid, can open up a whole new world of possibilities in the entertainment industry. But Halle Bailey is no stranger to the world of entertainment.
The actress has performed in minor roles since 2012 and performed with her sister in the pop duo Chloe X Halle for years. Since the Walt Disney Company announced Halle Bailey’s involvement in The Little Mermaid remake, however, the titular Halle and Chloe have been producing music independently, creating solo careers.
Being in the entertainment industry always comes with challenges, and Halle Bailey is no stranger to these challenges. After all, her being cast as the live-action Princess Ariel resulted in a wave of backlash rooted entirely in racism. But now, Halle is fighting an entirely different challenge: pregnancy allegations.
Fans Are Claiming Pregnancy, But What is the Truth?
READ MORE: ‘The Little Mermaid’ Producers Sued For Nearly $200,000 After Injury Occurs on Set
As they are wont to do, fans have been scrutinizing Bailey’s every move and outfit. Recently, fans have been noticing and pointing out a rounder tummy. Even more recently, Halle has responded by wearing more loose-fitting clothes to public events.
Just under a week ago, Bailey appeared at a Pandora jewelry event, wearing a “little black dress.” But as fans scrutinized and picked apart her fashionable look, they noticed what appears to be the very beginning of a baby bump:
#hallebailey bump is sooo cute. She don’t look drained so it’s probably a boy pic.twitter.com/o1l1p6pO6z
— KD 🏳️🌈 (@individualKay) September 9, 2023
Then, last night, Halle and Chloe appeared at the VMAs. But this time, Halle was wearing something extremely loose-fitting:
These shots! @HalleBailey 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/eqesRM8WDw
— Phoenix King Rising (@KingDeCarlos) September 13, 2023
At a recent concert, fans have also pointed out another instance in which Halle Bailey was spotted wearing something extremely loose-fitting:
DDG & Halle Bailey backstage after his show in Brooklyn at the Barclay’s Arena pic.twitter.com/gslFBqi88d
— BigMotionInc. (@MotionMan288) September 10, 2023
READ MORE: Another Live-Action ‘Little Mermaid’ Swimming Into Theaters Soon
Fans Are Speaking Out (Out of Turn, if You Ask Us…)
Like anyone else, Halle Bailey is entitled to her own privacy and the right to make her own decisions…But that hasn’t stopped fans from speaking up with their criticisms and congratulations alike.
Some fans worry about the rising star’s career. It’s no secret that having a baby in any career branch can make advancement difficult. But in the entertainment industry, that scrutiny is applied tenfold.
At only 23 and with a budding career about to take off after starring in a Disney original film, many fans believe a pregnancy could jeopardize the star’s success.
Here’s the Truth of the Matter…
At this time, nobody knows for sure whether the live-action Disney Princess is actually pregnant or not. And, in all honesty, that’s probably for the best! Even Disney Princesses deserve the right to their privacy. Besides, if this is how her fans are acting on rumors alone, we can’t imagine how brutal the criticism would become if those rumors were to be confirmed.
The Little Mermaid is now available on Disney Plus (Disney+). The live-action remake stars Halle Bailey as Princess Ariel, Jonah Hauer King as Prince Eric, Javier Bardem as King Triton, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula the Evil Sea Witch, Daveed Diggs as Sebastian, and Awkwafina as Scuttle.