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

Matthew Lillard; Jacob Elordi
Jean-Baptiste LACROIX / AFP via Getty Images; Don Arnold/WireImage

Matthew Lillard Explains Why He's 'Obsessed' With 'Freaking Delicious' Jacob Elordi—And We Totally Get It

Scream star Matthew Lillard finds Jacob Elordi absolutely irresistible—and, like, yeah... who doesn't?!

In an interview with Yahoo's Off the Cuff, Lillard admitted he's "obsessed" with the Australian star, calling him "freaking delicious" and even effusively praising his taste in handbags.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kat Abughazaleh
Kat Abughazaleh/YouTube

Illinois Democrat Running For U.S. Congress Goes Viral With Genius Attack Ad—On Herself

Katherine Abughazaleh—pronounced /ah-buu-gə-ZAH-lay/—is a progressive Democratic candidate for Illinois' 9th congressional district, located to the northwest of Chicago. The seat had been held by retiring Democratic Representative Jan Schakowsky since 1999.

Abughazaleh, known as Kat Abu online, is turning a familiar campaign tactic on its head by launching an attack ad against herself.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sean Duffy
Al Drago/Getty Images

Sean Duffy Gets Blunt History Lesson After Bragging About Trump Having 'Best Cabinet' Since Founding Fathers

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy was given a swift fact-check after he boasted on X that President Donald Trump has the "Best Cabinet since 1776"... seemingly unaware that the first Cabinet wasn't even appointed until years later.

Duffy shared a photo of himself grinning front-and-center while flanked by other Trump administration members, all of whom beamed at the camera. All of them gave the cameraman the thumbs up.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pete Hegseth
AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post/Getty Images

Trump Administration Dragged After U.S. Military Shoots Down One Of Our Own Drones Over Texas

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has long emphasized the "warrior ethos" he expects from the U.S. military but now his leadership (to say nothing of the Trump administration as a whole) is facing criticism after military personnel shot down a drone operated by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) on Thursday in Texas in yet another display of incompetence.

Lawmakers said that the military used a laser to down a CBP drone at Fort Hancock, leading the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to expand flight restrictions near El Paso, Texas. The reason for the laser use remains unclear, but it was the second such deployment in the area in two weeks, despite rules requiring coordination with aviation regulators.

Keep ReadingShow less
Brady Tkachuk
Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for E11EVEN Miami

U.S. Hockey Star Slams White House For Sharing AI-Doctored Video Of Him Insulting Canadians

There's a saying about laying down with dogs. Or, you're known by the company you keep. NHL player and Team USA member Brady Tkachuk is learning that lesson.

The Tkachuk brothers, Brady—who plays professional hockey for the Ottawa Senators based in the capital city in the province of Ontario, Canada—and Matthew—who plays for the Florida Panthers based in the metro Miami area—had already drawn ire online for being proud supporters of MAGA Republican President Donald Trump during the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics even before the disastrous locker room celebration with FBI Director Kash Patel after their gold medal win.

Keep ReadingShow less