Halle Bailey, the voice of Ariel in The Little Mermaid, stunned viewers by releasing a TikTok video with an inappropriate sound.
The 23-year-old singer-turned-actress attended the premiere of the live-action remake of the 1989 original in Sydney, Australia on Monday (May 22).
The Grammy nominee, who will play the red-haired mermaid in the film, arrived in a magnificent blue ball gown and decided to upload a TikTok video of her stunning ensemble.
In the video, Bailey was seen parading toward the camera in her stunning gown, but many were more interested in the sound she chose to use – and how out of character it was for the new Disney princess.
Check out Bailey’s TikTok below:
Rather than selecting a family-friendly song, the vocalist chose Pound Town by Sexyy Red and Tay Keith.
Some of the graphic lyrics, which are clearly audible in the TikTok video, include: “I’m out of town, thuggin’ with my rounds / My ce pink, my by h* brown.”
The juxtaposition between the sexual track and the PG-rated Disney film she’s promoting did not go unnoticed by her followers, who went to the comments section to express their horror.
“JAW DROPPED!!!!” wrote one disappointed fan.
Another stunned user said, “The sweet face with the most insane audio.”
“Is this on the Little Mermaid soundtrack?” a third individual joked? while a fourth user joked, “Ariel left the sea and has no idea how to act!”
Fans and critics who attended early screenings of the Disney film’s star-studded debuts in Los Angeles on May 8 and the United Kingdom (May 15) praised Bailey.
Ellen E Jones of The Guardian praised the ‘Do It’ singer as “the best thing about this film” and its “only unmitigated triumph,” while Kevin Maher of The Times wrote that she “knocks all naysayers into place with an innately charismatic turn and full-throttle vocal powers.”
In their 4* review, digital Spy praised the young actress, noting, “The Little Mermaid retains the heart and spirit of the animated classic while adding new elements that offer a fresh perspective on familiar events.” This adaptation has the potential to attract a new generation of Disney fans, thanks in large part to Bailey’s superb performance.”
In addition, the original Ariel voice actress Jodie Benson praised Bailey in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, saying, “It’s wonderful.”
“And to know that she was in good hands with everyone on the team, especially Rob and John.” And to know just how beautifully she has captured Ariel and everything that is Ariel. And how immensely proud I am of her, simply wanting her to know that I was there for her in whatever way I could. She completed the task. “She’s told such a beautiful story, and I’m so happy for her,” she continued.
Rob Marshall will helm the picture, which will include a soundtrack composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Alan Menken. It will also contain four new original songs with revised lyrics to include consent.
The Little Mermaid will be released in theatres in the United States and the United Kingdom on May 26.
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