State Champ Radio Halle Bailey
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Source: Candice Ward / Getty / Brian Tyree Henry
The cast of Pharrell Williams’s upcoming film/musical continues to add some serious star power.
Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta, Godzilla X Kong: A New Empire) will star alongside Kelvin Harrison Jr., Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Halle Bailey in the upcoming musical from Pharrell Williams and Michael Gondry.
Like the news of Bailey joining the cast, there is no word on Henry’s role in the upcoming film. According to reports, the film will take place in 1977 in Virginia and draw inspiration from Williams’ childhood at Atlantis Apartments.
Martin Hynes (Toy Story 4) and Steven Levenson (Tick, Tick…Boom!) will handle the script while Williams and Mimi Valdés are producing under the i am OTHER banner alongside Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions.
Brian Tyree Henry has become one of the hottest acts in Hollywood after making a splash with FX’s Atlanta, starring alongside Donald Glover and LaKeith Stanfield.
Since then, Henry has starred in Hollywood blockbusters like Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, the sequel, Across The Spider-Verse, Marvel Studios Eternals, Godzilla vs Kong, Godzilla X Kong: A New Empire, and the recently announced animated feature, Transformers One, where he will voice a young Megatron.
Henry will also star in the upcoming boxing drama from Amazon MGM Studios, The Fire Inside, from filmmaker Rachel Morrison, out August 9, and Apple’s upcoming crime drama Sinking Spring, which he will also serve as an executive producer on.
Of course, he will also reprise his role as Officer Jeff Morales, father of Miles Morales in Beyond The Spider-Verse, the third film in Sony’s animated Spider-Man movie franchise.
Stay booked and busy, Brian Tyree Henry; we are here for it.
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Source: FREDERIC J. BROWN / Getty / Halle Bailey
Halle Bailey continues to be booked and busy in Hollywood.
Deadline reports that The Color Purple star and one-half of the music duo Chloe x Halle is joining the cast of the upcoming Universal coming-of-age film directed by director Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) and producer Pharrell Williams (Hidden Figures).
According to the website, Bailey’s role in the project remains a mystery and will be joining Kelvin Harrison Jr. and The Holdovers Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph.
The film’s subject, Deadline reports, will be a musical that takes place in 1977 Virginia and draws inspiration from Williams’ childhood at Atlantis Apartments.
Handling the script for the project will be Martin Hynes (Toy Story 4) and Steven Levenson (Tick, Tick…Boom!). Williams and Mimi Valdés are producing under the i am OTHER banner alongside Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions.
Halle Bailey Continues To Rack Up Movie Roles
Bailey’s involvement in this film comes from her performance in director Blitz Bazawule’s The Color Purple, in which she played Young Nettie in the movie based on the Broadway run of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel.
She also had snowflakes big mad when she starred in the live-action remake of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, which brought in over $569 million at the worldwide box office.
This is more positive news for Williams, who is currently the subject of a lawsuit from fellow Neptunes cofounder Chad Hugo.
Hugo claims Williams violated their agreement after attempting to secure the trademarks for The Neptunes’ name.
Williams “claims the move was not to ice out Hugo but to ensure no other people can get their slimy hands on The Neptunes name.”
Pusha-T, a longtime collaborator with the Neptunes, believes Hugo’s lawyer is trying to make money.
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Source: Allen Berezovsky / Getty
Halle Bailey has officially introduced the world to her new little prince and father DDG is sharing behind-the-scenes footage.
According to the announcement made by the happy parents via Instagram, the two shared a photo of Bailey holding her new son’s hand that features a little gold bracelet that reads, “Halo,” alongside the caption:
“Even though we’re a few days into the new year, the greatest thing that 2023 could have done for me was bring me my son,” Bailey captioned the photo. “Welcome to the world my Halo 🥰👼🏽 ✨the world is desperate to know you 😉🤣♥️.”
In addition, the new father posted a vlog on his YouTube channel that features some snippets of his newfound life as a dad. The new vlog entry gives fans a sneak peek at one of Halle’s 4K ultrasounds, along with some footage of him sweetly rubbing on his girlfriend’s growing bump on their baby moon in Bora Bora.
As previously reported on HHW, the couple first sparked dating rumors in January 2022, two months before going Instagram official. While Bailey is known for keeping her personal life private, including her pregnancy, DDG broke the news in April when he posted an ultrasound photo alongside the words, “Can’t wait to be your dad.”
In November, the “Angel” singer responded to a fan on Snapchat who said she had a “pregnancy nose” in a recent photo. Bailey shared a video, saying, “Listen, if I see one more person say something about my nose one more time, it’s going to be hell to pay.”
Bailey posted an Instagram story in December shouting out her “real supporters” for being “respectful of women’s bodies.” She added, “Being under a microscope is not easy, but for the real ones who show unconditional love religiously, I appreciate you.”
DDG also gave insight as to why they chose to keep the pregnancy under wraps, saying:
“This is one of my biggest accomplishments and I wasn’t able to show it for real for real but it was for a better cause ’cause people weird,” DDG said. “People are way too much in my business, our business, at this point in time. So, definitely for the better and it made it a lot easier, bringing him into the world without a bunch of opinions.”
Check out the video below.
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Source: @hallebailey / Instagram
Congrats are in order. Actress Halle Bailey has welcomed her first child, a boy, with her rapper boyfriend DDG.
And the kid’s name is Halo.
Baby Halo was born in late 2023, but we’re just getting word now. Per current entertainer protocol, the happy couple took to Instagram on Saturday night (Jan. 6) to announce the arrival of their bundle of joy via social media posts.
“even though we’re a few days into the new year, the greatest thing that 2023 could have done for me, was bring me my son.. welcome to the world my halo 🥰👼🏽 ✨the world is desperate to know you 😉🤣♥️,” reads the caption of what we Bailey and holding her son’s tiny hand, with what we assume is DDG’s hand underneath.
DDG added a comment: “my biggest blessing by far 👶🏽❤️ son son.. never been so in love 🥹 baby halo.”
Bailey and DDG got together back in 2022, and everyone has been in their business. However, despite all the rumors of her pregnancy they neither confirmed nor denied until the announcement.
Of course, social media has been reacting since news of the arrival. Peep some of the hottest takes in the gallery.
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Source: WWD / Getty
It looks like The Little Mermaid will soon become a Mommy, allegedly.
The Shade Room acquired photos from Splash News, showing the Chloe x Halle singer and her boyfriend rapper DDG walking in Santa Monica. Despite sporting oversized sweats, Halle appears to have an undeniable baby bump. Making her a trending topic on social media almost instantly.
Neither Halle nor DDG have confirmed that they are expecting, but the streets are watching and talking.
On X (formerly known as Twitter) there is a contingent of folks who seem to believe that 26-year-old DDG isn’t “good enough” for the 23-year-old starlet who is fresh off the biggest year of her career after starring in the live action remake of Disney’s The Little Mermaid.
Another prevailing narrative is that a pregnancy early in an artist’s career is somehow the beginning of the end for them.
However, some fans are continuing to support the singer/actress.
DDG, a native of Pontiac, Michigan, got famous with skits and songs on YouTube. He and Bailey recently posted a series of Snapchat videos with him trying to keep up with his famous girlfriend’s shopping habits. Her desires went from $500 teacups to a $30,000 pair of earrings leaving the rapper dejected and asking his viewers if he should “abort the mission.”
Earlier this year, the rapper released a nearly four-minute song called “Famous” where he took shots at Halle saying, “the hardest thing he ever did was fall in love with “a famous bitch” and that all he ever asked her to do was “basic shit.”
He adds, in part, “It’s a couple things about your job I wanna know (I do)
When you shoot your movie, do these niggas turn you on? (On)When you leave the set, do y’all still text each other phone? (Phone) Just because they filmin’ it, it don’t mean that it ain’t wrong.”
The song which details his insecurity and fragility has not endeared him to fans of the starlet, but as for the future of the young couple—only time will tell.
See more reactions from social media in the gallery.
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Source: Warner Bros. / Warner Bros.
The trailer for The Color Purple remake featuring Fantasia and Halle Bailey has been released by Warner Bros. to rave reviews online.
The new adaptation of the classic film from 1985 which was born from Alice Walker’s acclaimed 1982 novel and the recent Broadway musical released its first trailer on Monday (May 22nd). The film features Fantasia in her major motion picture debut, playing the role of Celie. The R&B star and former American Idol is reprising her role from the original Broadway run from April 2007 to January 2008. Halle Bailey is also prominent in the trailer as young Nettie.
Viewers also get to see Danielle Brooks as Sofia, who is returning to the role that earned her a Tony Award nomination in 2016. Taraji P. Henson stars as Thug Avery, Colman Domingo as Mister, H.E.R. as Squeak, Corey Hawkins as Harpo and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Mama. Rounding out the sterling cast is Oscar winner Louis Gossett Jr. as Ol Mister, David Alan Grier as Reverend Avery, Deon Cole as Alfonso, Ciara as Nettie, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as Young Celie, Tamala J. Mann as First Lady, Jon Batiste as Grady and Stephen Hill as Buster.
The film reunites Oprah Winfrey, who originally played Sofia in the 1985 film, and Steven Spielberg who directed. Both are now executive producers for this new version along with Quincy Jones and Scott Sanders. Blitz Bazawule, who directed Black Is King, serves as the director for this film. Alice Walker and her daughter, Rebecca Walker, also serve as producers.
The Color Purple is set to premiere in theaters on Christmas Day, December 25th before opening internationally on January 18th, 2024. When asked about the movie opening on the holiday and what fueled that decision, Winfrey cited a conversation that she had with Fantasia, saying: “The movie changed her because it allowed her to forgive. She said, ‘People coming to this movie will be healed because I was healed.’”
Check out the full trailer for The Color Purple below.
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Sha-la-la-la-la-la, my oh my! Fans got to enjoy a first look at the iconic “Kiss the Girl” scene from the upcoming live-action remake of The Little Mermaid during the MTV Movie & TV Awards on Sunday night (May 7).
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In the nearly one-minute clip, Ariel and Prince Eric, played by Halle Bailey and Jonah Hauer-King float around in a row boat, surrounded by an enchanted forest scene, as Sebastian (Daveed Diggs), Flounder (Jacob Tremblay) and Scuttle (Awkwafina) try to convince the young Prince to kiss the mermaid princess. As a result, the spell put on Ariel by villain Ursula (Melissa McCarthy), in which she traded her voice for human legs, would be broken.
“Sha-la-la-la-la-la / Float along / And listen to the song / The song say kiss the girl,” the group sings, as the scene looks almost identical to the original 1989 animated movie.
“I’m a little bit nervous just because this has been so long in the making. I mean, I auditioned for this film when I was 18, and I turned 23 this year,” Bailey previously shared of the highly anticipated film release in an interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1. “Now that it’s finally here, I’m like, whoa, I can’t believe it. And it’s a very, very big pinch-me moment. I’m so excited. And I just can’t wait for people to see what we did to this film.”
The Little Mermaid hits theaters on May 26. Watch the new preview below.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Lego wants the whole family to enjoy The Little Mermaid. On Sunday (April 23), the toy company unveiled three new sets inspired by the Disney film releasing next month.
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The collectible sets, designed for kids and adults, range in price from $19.99 up to $159.99.
First up for release, Lego’s The Little Mermaid Story Book Set, which is designed for ages 5 and older, and will be available in stores and online on May 1. The ($19.99) set includes miniature figurines of Ariel, Ursula, Prince Eric and Sebastian.
Dropping June 1, Ariel Treasure Chest lets fans “build their own treasure chest, decorate it and fill it with keepsakes in two secret drawers.” The set is suitable for ages 6 and up. Unfortunately, pre-orders are sold out at Lego.com, but the set might get restocked closer to the release date.
The Story Book set is still available for pre-order online.
Lego
Lego Disney The Little Mermaid Story Book Set
$19.99
Lego’s The Little Mermaid Clam Shell set, designed for ages 18 and up, will be released on May 1. The massive set ($159.99) features mini figures of Ariel, Ursula, King Triton, Sebastian and Flounder; along with Ariel’s sisters Indira and Karina. The set features “key moments from the movie” and references to throne rock, Ariel’s grotto and Ursula’s lair.
The Lego sets are the latest in a string of Little Mermaid merch to hit the web, including the official Barbie doll, books, clothing, bags, jewelry and other collectibles that fans can purchase in anticipation of the film, which hits theaters on May 26.
Disney’s The Little Mermaid, a live-action adaption of the animated film, stars Halle Bailey, Melissa McCartney, Jonah Hauer-King, Simone Ashley, Javier Bardem, Jacob Tremblay, Daveed Diggs and Jessica Alexander.
Pre-order Lego’s Little Mermaid clam shell set below.
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LEGO Disney The Little Mermaid Royal Clam Set
$159.99
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Under the sea! You can now pre-order The Little Mermaid Barbie doll.
Capturing The Little Mermaid star, Halle Bailey’s, likeness even down to the mole above her eye. The posable Barbie retails for $14.99 and has long red dreadlocks like Bailey’s hair in the film and an ombre-mermaid tail with a glitter fin.
Halle Bailey Celebrates Getting Her Own ‘Little Mermaid’ Doll: ‘BRB Gonna Go Cry Now…
03/16/2023
Bailey gave fans a sneak peek of the doll last week. “I have something really exciting to reveal to you all. I am gonna cry,” the actress and singer shared on Instagram earlier this month. “This is the new Little Mermaid doll! I am literally choking up because this means so much to me. And to have one that looks like me, that’s my favorite Disney character, is very surreal. And look, she even has my mole! See? And the hair, and the tail…I’m just stunned, so I don’t quite know what to do with it, but I’m gonna steal this and take it home.”
According to Amazon, the doll will be released on April 23. Meanwhile, Disney premiered the official trailer for The Little Mermaid during the Oscars telecast on Sunday (March 12). Bailey and co-star Melissa McCarthy, who plays Ursula in the film, introduced the clip.
The Little Mermaid marks the first live-action adaptation of the Disney animated film which was originally released in 1989. The doll is currently the No. 1 best-seller at Amazon along with The Little Mermaid Live Action Novelization($6.92) due out April 11. Fans can find more gear from the animated version of The Little Mermaid at shopDisney.com.
The Little Mermaid stars Bailey, McCarthy, Javier Bardem, Noma Dumezweni, Jonah Hauer-King, Simone Ashley, Jacob Tremblay, Daveed Diggs and Lin-Manuel Miranda. The soundtrack will be released on May 19 and features new music written by Miranda alongside music from the original film composed by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman.
The Little Mermaid hits theaters on May 26. Pre-order the doll below.
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Disney The Little Mermaid Ariel Doll, Mermaid Fashion Doll with Signature Outfit, Toys Inspired by Disney’s The Little Mermaid
$14.99
Disney fans are just months away from diving under the sea with Halle Bailey as Ariel in the upcoming live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, and on Monday (March 13), the film’s official soundtrack got a release date.
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According to a post from the film shared to Twitter, the soundtrack “featuring all new performances by the cast” is set for release on May 19, a week before the movie hits theaters on May 26. The album will include new lyrics from Lin-Manuel Miranda, plus music and lyrics from Alan Menken and Howard Ashman from the original 1989 The Little Mermaid film.
The official trailer for the live-action movie debuted during the 2023 Oscars on Sunday night (March 12), capturing Bailey as Ariel in the reimagining of the Disney animated classic, with an ensemble including Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Javier Bardem as King Triton and Jonah Hauer-King as Eric.
In November, the Chloe x Halle star revealed that the most “touching” part of playing the iconic Ariel was getting to see the reaction little girls had to her performance of “Part of Your World” when it initially was released in September.
“It just makes me cry,” she shared. “The fact that all these little Black and Brown babies are going to be able to feel like they’re being represented is really special to me. I know that if I had that when I was younger, it would have changed a whole lot for me and my perspective on who I am as an individual.”
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