Disney star Halle Bailey credits A-list superstar singer as her ‘rock’ following social media backlash
WHILE Beyonce is commanding attention on her glitzy Renaissance tour, her protege Halle Bailey is also in the spotlight as Princess Ariel in the live-action remake of Disney’s The Little Mermaid.
Ahead of tomorrow’s UK premiere of the film, Halle has credited the superstar for being her “rock” and for giving her advice on how to handle the racial backlash she received for being the first black actress to play the part.
Following the release of the movie trailer last year, the hashtag NotMyAriel circulated on Twitter with people claiming that the fictional mermaid could only be red-haired and white — following the classic 1989 Disney animation.
In an exclusive chat with Biz on Sunday, Halle told us: “I had a private conversation with Beyonce who told me not to read the comments on any social media I post.
“It’s kind of sad — but very good advice for your mental health.
“I started in the industry so young that mental health has always been something I have tried to prioritise.”
The Atlanta-born starlet added: “Initially it was a shock to see the reaction to it — but then it started to bother me less.”
Halle admits having Queen Bey’s support along with other big names left her feeling more confident when it comes to dealing with criticism.
She added: “I had superstars like Beyonce, Zendaya, and Nicki Minaj speaking out for me and how excited they were that I had been cast — that really was the most incredible thing.”
Halle and her sister Chloe caught Bey’s eye when they posted a clip of themselves performing her smash hit Pretty Hurts in 2014 — which had more than 21 million views on YouTube.
The siblings have since signed a million-dollar deal for six albums with Beyonce’s record label, Parkwood Entertainment.
“Beyonce has been an absolute rock for me,” says Halle.
“I have been able to go to her for creative advice since I was 15 — how many people can say they have had that?”
And landing the role of Ariel has also boosted her confidence.
She said: “It feels a little cheesy, but Ariel honestly taught me things.
“I’m only 23 so I am still learning, and she taught me to be courageous and to go after what I want.”
DANNY’S IN DARK AGAIN
DANNY DYER’s zany reality show Scared Of The Dark has been given the green light for a second series.
The Celebrity Big Brother-esque show – which features eight celebs spending a week stumbling around in the dark – proved an unlikely hit for Channel 4.
A telly insider tells me: “Scared Of The Dark was a bit of a risk.
“It could have been really dull or fascinating and fortunately for telly bosses it was the latter and Danny was a huge part of its success.”
With Danny as the wise-cracking host, footie legend Paul Gascoigne triumphed over the likes of Max George, Chris Eubank and Scarlett Moffatt, who all suffered trauma in the dark but left the nation hooked.
The source added: “It’s filmed over a few weeks in the summer so it’s really easy to get in the can.
“It was a no-brainer for bosses to order another series – they just have to convince celebs to sign up.
“It certainly won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, especially as it forces some people to face their inner demons.”
A real lightbulb moment .
JAY’S JUDI JINGLE
JAY BLADES has revealed he asked Dame Judi Dench to record a radio jingle for when he plays music.
After a day fixing antiques, The Repair Shop host relaxes by spinning decks at his home in Ironbridge, Shrops.
And Dame Judi’s not the only superstar who gives DJ Jay a plug.
At the Bafta nominees party, he said: “Judi is cool. She’s a nice person – really, really cool.
“She has done a jingle for me and I have got one for Sir David Jason and Dame Mary Berry.
“They go on when I play music so they say: ‘You are listening to Jay Blades . . . ’
“It wasn’t sampled – she did it for me. When I go home I play music so I use her jingle.”
AVRIL FANS RELIVE POP-PUNK GLORY
WITH laddered fishnet tights and a red tartan skirt, Avril Lavigne reignited the pop-punk era on Tuesday.
Opening with a cover of Joan Jett’s Bad Reputation, Avril hit a note which transported swathes of millennials back to their pre-teen days.
Her 2002 heartbreak anthem Complicated had the Ally Pally fans reliving the emotions of their first break-up before My Happy Ending had the fans thumping their fists to the chords of her electric guitar.
Avril also played her new hits including Love It When You Hate Me – and she proved she is still in touch with her youth as she shouted “I still love skater boys” before belting out Girlfriend and Sk8ter Boi.
Ending with Here’s To Never Growing Up, Avril became the rebellious sweetheart who, for an evening, let her fans bask in the confusing emotions of being a teenager in love.
VANESSA HAS RAYA OF LOVE
UST weeks after splitting with Joey Essex, Dancing On Ice skating pro Vanessa Bauer is mending her broken heart by getting back on the dating scene.
I can reveal the stunning telly star is looking for love on celebrity dating app Raya.
The German ice whizz uploaded sizzling bikini shots to her profile online just days after her break up from the reality king.
Among the sexy snaps were images of her in full costume on the ITV show, posing with a cute puppy (always a winner), showing off her physique in the sea and riding a motorbike in a swimsuit.
An insider said: “Vanessa isn’t wasting time crying over spilt milk – she’s moving on from Joey and isn’t looking back.
“She’s feeling flirty and ready to meet someone new, of course, but she’s also keen to show him what he is missing.”
Last week Joey told us that he was looking for somewhere to live in Dubai, that he was enjoying single life and that Lily James followed him on Instagram, so he also seems to have moved on.
Happy swiping, Vanessa.
CLARA’S HIGH VIS
RADIO 1’s Clara Amfo has revealed that she loves RuPaul’s Drag Race UK judge Michelle Visage “with every fibre of my being”.
The DJ, who is hosting the BAFTA TV Awards red carpet alongside Michelle tonight, told me: “We’ve become really good friends.
“We are really excited – a lot of WhatsApping, a lot of FaceTiming.
“I don’t think people realise that we are mates.”
But Clara admits she still gets nervous when chatting to showbiz royalty.
She said: “With Emma Thompson I got starstruck. I did the Matilda premiere and she is just fabulous.
“I really want to see Kate Winslet. I am a big fan and I think she would make me a little bit starstruck.”
Bizbit
SEVENTIES rocker John Fogerty has revealed he is still pals with the Rolling Stones and the surviving members of the Beatles.
Ahead of his UK gigs this month the Creedence Clearwater Revival founder tells me: “I still consider Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney as my friends, and I see Mick Jagger every few years on the road.”
And even though he’s in his seventies, John swears by practising guitar for up to four hours a day.
He said: “It helps me stay in shape.”
HAILEY BLAZERS A TRAIL
HAILEY BIEBER looked effortlessly chic in a light blue blazer and a baseball cap on a date with hubby Justin Bieber in New York City.
Justin matched his wife’s style in a pale blue shirt and baggy jeans.
Earlier in the day the couple were spotted carrying their Yorkshire Terriers, Piggy Lou and Oscar.
Hailey revealed on Instagram that 2023 had been challenging.
She said: “I like to make jokes about how I feel because sometimes it’s easier than admitting I’m having a hard time.
“But since 2023 started I’ve had some of the saddest, hardest moments I’ve ever had in my adult life and my mind and emotions have been fragile to say the least.”