Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Mom In Tears After Realizing Woman Who Took Photo With Daughter Is Original Ariel Jodi Benson

Screenshots from TikTok
jaylabrenae5/TikTok

TikToker @jaylabrenae5 was stunned after the 'Little Mermaid' voice actress wanted a picture with her young daughter.

A mom on TikTok was reduced to tears after realizing one of her lifelong dreams—to meet her childhood hero.

As part of her work as an influencer, TikToker Jaylabrenae, known as @jaylabrenae5 on the app, got to attend to the star-studded premiere of the new live-action remake of the Disney classic The Little Mermaid. Along with her, she brought her adorable plus-one, her toddler daughter.


During one of the many events they attended, Jaylabrenae and her little girl were approached by a woman who wanted a photo with them. It turned out to be none other than the original Little Mermaid herself, voice actress Jodi Benson.

And Jaylabrenae absolutely lost it in the most moving way possible.

See the big moment below.

@jaylabrenae5

I LITERALLY CANNOT STILL I AM CRYING ALL OVER AGAIN💕🌊 #thelittlemermaid #jodibenson #littlemermaid #ariel #disney #dreamcometrue #emotional

Benson originated the role of Ariel in the Disney animated 1989 version of The Little Mermaid.

The new live-action version features actress Halle Bailey in the role, who herself has said that Benson was among her biggest inspirations while making the film.

Suffice to say, she's an inspiration to Jaylabrenae as well--she couldn't help but burst into tears when she realized it was Benson who wanted a photo of her and her little girl. In her TikTok's caption, she wrote that she "literally cannot" and was "crying all over again."

Meeting Benson was only one part of Jaylabrenae and her daughter's trip to the premiere, which was sponsored by hydration company Liquid I.V. As she showed in another video, she and her daughter got to walk the "blue carpet" and attend all kinds of celebrations kicking off the film, which debuts in theaters on May 26.

@jaylabrenae5

While Ariel's legs were made for dancing, ours are made to walk the blue carpet thanks to @liquidiv! What an unforgettable experience to see Disney's #TheLittleMermaid at their World Premiere! All props to Liquid I.V. to keeping everyone hydrated with their mocktails made with their Hydration Multiplier that tasted AMAZINGGG! This movie is an absolute must see and Liquid I.V. is a must buy! Bring it with you to the theater May 26th! 💙🧜🏾‍♀️

But meeting Benson and Bailey was definitely among the highlights, as Jaylabrenae shared in another TikTok follow-up.

@jaylabrenae5

Replying to @jrenee5964 i think this cry is valid🥹 in all seriousness I am truly grateful for these once in a lifetime experiences. We are so blessed and im forever thankful for this life #whyIcried #whyicriedtoday #thelittlemermaid

In the video, she tearfully shared:

"My daughter got to walk the blue carpet today at two years old. Halle Bailey waved at her... I understand how blessed I am and I would never, ever take it for granted."

People on TikTok were definitely feeling for Jaylabrenae and her daughter.

They were deeply moved by their Little Mermaid experience.

@iamkiarajanay/TikTok

@cicelydyson/TikTok

@lovearielita/TikTok

@izthebee/TikTok

@miss_arrobinson/TikTok

@buschmomma/TikTok

@flourishing_fancy/TikTok

@ard9092/TikTok

@marlanight/TikTok

Even Halle Bailey herself was in tears over Jaylabrenae's big moment.


@hallebailey/TikTok

The Little Mermaid opens May 26.

While we can't promise your experience will be as amazing as Jaylabrenae and her daughter's, it's shaping up to be one heck of a blockbuster.

More from Entertainment/celebrities

Bowen Yang
Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Hennessy

Bowen Yang Offers Hilariously NSFW Clapback After Troll Questions Why He's Grand Marshal Of NYC Pride

One good thing about trolling comedians, they always know exactly how to respond.

New York City Pride recently announced the Grand Marshals for its annual Pride parade, scheduled for June 28.

Keep ReadingShow less
Gavin Newsom; Donald Trump
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images; Heather Diehl/Getty Images

Gavin Newsom Claps Back With Blistering Reality Check After Trump Shares Meme Of Newsom As A Zombie

On Sunday, May 17, MAGA Republican President Donald Trump went on a posting spree on Truth Social. Between 4:02pm and 4:54pm, Trump posted or reposted 32 times—much of it "AI slop"—like a child with a new toy.

The POTUS had just returned from a trip to China where pundits opined Chinese President Xi Jinping walked him like a dog, openly mocking him multiple times.

Keep ReadingShow less
JD Vance
Eric Lee-Pool/Getty Images

JD Vance Gets Blunt Reminder After Telling Voters To Oust The 'Crazy Leadership In Washington'

Vice President JD Vance received a blunt reminder after urging voters—with no sense of irony whatsoever—to "vote against the crazy leadership in Washington, D.C.," in the midterms later this year.

Speaking at a manufacturing plant in Missouri, Vance was touting President Donald Trump’s economic agenda and trying to energize supporters ahead of the midterm elections when he appeared to misspeak.

Keep ReadingShow less
Mike Lee
Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

MAGA Senator Gets Epic Reality Check After Sharing Photos Of Four Black Congressmen To Prove GOP 'Is NOT The Party Of Jim Crow'

Utah Republican Senator Mike Lee was given a dose of reality after sharing an image of four Black Republican House members to claim that the GOP "is NOT the party of Jim Crow," only for people to point out there was a glaring issue with his declaration.

Lee posted images of Representatives Wesley Hunt (R-TX), John James (R-MI), Byron Donalds (R-FL), and Burgess Owens (R-UT), apparently intending it as a political flex. He failed to note, however, that all four are departing the House after this year, without any Black Republicans to fill their shoes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Henry Winkler (left) and Elon Musk (right) have publicly clashed over the role of empathy in modern society.
Emerson College/YouTube; Harun Ozalp/Anadolu via Getty Images

Henry Winkler Pushes Back On Elon Musk's Claim That America Has Too Much 'Empathy' In Must-See Commencement Speech

For generations of television viewers, Henry Winkler has built a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most universally beloved figures. Now, the Happy Days icon is using that platform to push back against one of Silicon Valley’s most controversial voices, delivering a commencement message that directly challenged Elon Musk’s criticism of empathy.

The ceremony was held on May 9 at Boston's Wang Theatre. Winkler, who graduated from Emerson College in 1967, delivered an inspiring and humorous eight-minute speech focused on perseverance, self-belief, and recognizing one's unique gifts.

Keep ReadingShow less