There’s a very egregious update in the ongoing custody battle between streamer DDG and actress-singer Halle Bailey. In new court filings, DDG’s legal team has filed an emergency motion to prevent Bailey from flying out of the country with their son.

DDG, real name Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr., submitted an urgent filing to try and block Bailey’s travel plans according to TMZ. Halle is allegedly planning to take their son, Halo, out of the country to Italy. The core argument is that Halle poses an “imminent emotional and psychological risk” to their son. DDG has cited instances during her pregnancy where she allegedly took his gun, and also that she had threatened at least once to have an abortion.

Most alarming in the filing was a series of texts that DDG’s counsel submitted as evidence. In them, a clearly upset Halle threatens to kill herself. DDG’s team is using these claims to argue that there’s an immediate risk to their son’s wellbeing. The aim is to convince the court that there’s a need for urgent intervention — whether that means stopping the planned trip to Italy or fully switching custody to him.

DDG has filed for an emergency court order to block Halle Bailey from taking their child to Italy.

In the filing, he accuses her of:

Repeated threats of self-harm and alarming texts suggesting harm to both herself and the child.

Attempting to secretly get an abortion… pic.twitter.com/ouS1FQ39A1

— Kurrco (@Kurrco) June 4, 2025

DDG also included a photo of a large cut on his arm, which he claims was caused by Halle during a domestic abuse incident. This is where their s begin to diverge. Halle and DDG allegedly got into a heated argument in his car over their son’s custody schedule. DDG alleges Halle got agitated, lunged at him, and hit her head on the steering wheel.

Halle, however, has previously accused DDG of an eerily similar incident. In her own motion seeking a restraining order, she alleged that it was actually DDG who slammed her head on a steering wheel.

In a situation that’s starting to resemble a war of memories — similar to the Tory Lanez case — it will all come down to how the lawyers present the evidence they have. DDG is now asking for sole legal and physical custody of his son. If that’s denied, he’s requesting that any custody exchanges happen only under supervision.

Again, theses cases are beginning to mirror each other. The Little Mermaid star immediately filed a countersuit, much like the events of the ever evolving Justin Baldoni v. Blake Lively case. Essentially, Bailey is asking the court to strike down DDG’s request and has characterized her trip to Italy as an unavoidable work obligation. She’s also asking the court to issue a gag order on DDG and his associates to prevent them from discussing the case on social media.

The melting of public personas, career opportunities, and legal disputes has reached a point where all three are fully intertwined. It’s understandable why Halle wants this case to play out far from the court of public opinion. On social media, minds are often made up mere seconds after a story breaks. And in sensitive situations like this — with harm and children involved — it’s best to take a step back and wait to see the full evidence presented.

This is still a developing story and we will give you more updates as they emerge.

Warning: This article mentions intimate partner violence. Please take care while reading.

Little Mermaid star Halle Bailey recently took a significant and brave legal step to protect herself and her one-year-old son, Halo, when she secured a temporary restraining order against her ex-boyfriend, rapper and YouTuber DDG (Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr.).

According to court documents, Bailey’s request for the restraining order was granted by a Los Angeles judge, who ruled that DDG must remain at least 100 yards away from Bailey and their young son until a court hearing on June 6, 2025.

This decision follows a series of disturbing allegations, including claims that there had been “multiple acts of physical violence”– physical, verbal, emotional, and financial abuse that Bailey says occurred during and after their relationship, which lasted from 2022 until October 2024.

One particularly shocking incident reportedly occurred in January 2025 during a custody exchange. Bailey alleges that DDG physically assaulted her by pulling her hair and slamming her face into a steering wheel, resulting in a chipped tooth, according to People.

This episode is one of several that Bailey described in her court filings, painting a picture of a relationship that had become dangerous and unpredictable.

Home invasion and digital harassment

In another alarming claim, Bailey says that in March 2025, DDG entered her home without permission and sent her a photo from inside her bedroom – a gesture she perceived as a clear threat. She also claims he damaged her home security system, including a Ring camera, to conceal his presence. For many, this type of behavior crosses a critical line, transforming a domestic dispute into a terrifying breach of privacy and safety.

Bailey’s allegations extend beyond physical confrontations. She has also accused DDG of leveraging his massive online following to harass her, including inciting his fans on platforms like Twitch and YouTube to target her with threats and abusive messages. This form of digital harassment has reportedly caused significant emotional distress, further compounding the trauma Bailey describes.

As part of the restraining order, Bailey is also seeking full custody of their son, Halo, particularly while she is filming overseas. In addition, she has requested that the court prohibit DDG from making public comments about her or their child and has advocated for him to complete a 52-week Batterer Intervention Program as a condition of any future .

Bailey seeks “to protect myself and our son Halo” from DDG’s alleged abuse

According to the AP, Balley said in court documents, “Throughout our relationship. Daryl has been and continues to be physically, verbally, emotionally, and financially abusive towards me. I am seeking orders to protect myself and our son, Halo, from his ongoing abuse.”

The former couple’s tensions have often spilled into the public eye, with both parties occasionally addressing their issues online. In November 2024, Bailey deactivated her social media s after publicly criticizing DDG for livestreaming their son without her consent, a move that only heightened the public scrutiny surrounding their tumultuous relationship.

The restraining order remains in place until the court hearing in June, where a judge will decide whether to extend it for up to five years. As the legal battle unfolds, Bailey’s decision to seek protection serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up against domestic violence, even when the spotlight is harsh.

While representatives for both Bailey and DDG have yet to comment publicly on the case, this ongoing situation highlights the challenges of co-parenting and the need for strong legal safeguards for survivors of abuse.

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, or if you believe someone you know is being abused,  The National Domestic Violence Hotline. The hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-SAFE or spoken with online via the hotline’s website. Mobile phone owners can also text “START” to the number 88788

Halle Bailey‘s plea against ex-boyfriend DDG on Wednesday didn’t go down well with X s, resulting in the singer deleting not just her post but her entire .

Bailey turned to X as a last resort after the YouTuber and rapper brought the former couple’s baby son, Halo, to Kai Cenat’s 30-day non-stop Twitch live stream. DDG was looking after the child while the singer was out of town when he showed up at the streamer’s house.

“Hi everyone. Just so you know I am out of town and I don’t approve of my baby being on a stream tonight,” said Bailey in the now-deleted statement. “I wasn’t told or notified and I am extremely upset to have my baby in front of millions of people,” she continued, adding that, as his “mother and protector,” she was “saddened” that she had not been notified.

During the appearance, Cenat gave Halo various gifts including games, clothes, and toys. “Me & halo appreciate it, bro,” DDG commented on his own X profile afterward. The two men then pretended to get into a heated argument and physical fight to prank fellow YouTuber NLE Choppa while the child was in another room.

Kai Cenat was swatted during uninterrupted 30-day live stream

Cenat’s “subathon” (a Twitch event where each new subscription extends the time of a non-stop live stream) has lasted seven consecutive days so far, apart from a six-minute ban from the platform after the streamers’ house was swatted by police. According to TMZ, Cenat and the authorities have been working together to keep further hoax calls from happening.

This is the 22-year-old’s second 30-day live stream after holding the first Mafiathon subathon in 2023 and he’s already been visited by multiple celebrities including Lil Uzi Vert and Miranda Cosgrove. This time around, the goal is to break a subscriber record currently held by Ironmouse and donate 20 percent of the profits to building a school in Nigeria.

Online, some people argued that the live stream was not a safe environment for a child and that Bailey was right to call out DDG. One person shared a video of the live stream where the YouTuber can be seen holding his son while noises of glass breaking and gunshots were heard coming from outside the room (comments pointed out it was a prank, but we doubt an 11-month-old baby would know the difference). “I got my son, get me out of here, bro,” DDG says in the clip.

“I see why Halle didn’t want Halo on Kai’s stream,” one fan said. “The police swatted his house just 4 days ago… this is not a safe space for a child especially when the mother was not notified,” another pointed out.

The majority did not take the Little Mermaid actress’s side, however

Although Bailey’s fanbase has been critical of her relationship with DDG since they began dating in early 2022, the majority was not ive of her public statement against him, arguing that it should have been kept private and that the singer and her sister Chloe also frequently post photos and videos of Halo on social media.

“Respectfully, this doesn’t need to be brought to the internet. Effective communication would be calling or texting the father,” one person noted, with another claiming that the Grammy-nominated artist had “brought this on herself” when she decided to defend DDG “till the ends of the earth” while they were still together.

Many such comments led Bailey to delete her X . The couple called it quits in October after nearly three years of dating and a little over ten months since they had welcomed Halo into the world. “We are still best friends and adore each other,” the rapper said in a statement released at the time of the break-up, where he also confirmed they would continue raising Halo together as co-parents.

Every year around the end of October, our social media feeds are flooded with celebrities putting their creativity and extensive teams to work for the most popular Halloween costume. This year was no different. Aside from the regular pop culture-inspired ‘fits, celebrities drew inspiration from each other, creating some of the best impersonations ever.

Halloween is a staple holiday for Hollywood. Although most actors and singers dress up when performing, the annual scare fest comes attached to star-studded, A-list parties, which gives celebs an opportunity to shine as …themselves, but in costume.

Heidi Klum’s Halloween parties are notorious for bringing out the best costumes, and the former supermodel often goes all in to vouchsafe her continuing reign as the ultimate Halloween Queen. Others simply use their perks to create amazing photoshoots online, and this year, they surely delivered.

10. Kylie Jenner as Demi Moore

This year is Demi Moore’s year. The A-list actress has been around for decades and starred in some of the film industry’s most defining titles, but she never got the recognition she deserved. Thanks to her latest role in the gruesome body horror The Substance, everyone is hailing her as the queen she is.

This Halloween, Kylie Jenner dressed up down as Moore in her iconic role in 1996’s Striptease, recreating the drama’s poster. Fans weren’t particularly impressed with her rendition, as it didn’t take much to get in the role, except for a black wig and some Photoshop skills. However, Jenner looks absolutely fire and deserves a spot in the top.

9. Tana Mongeau as Lady Gaga

Internet influencer Tana Mongeau also had her go at Halloween and used one of the most popular artists of our time for her inspiration — Lady Gaga.

The “Born This Way” singer has been behind some of the most iconic looks in pop culture, the weirder the better. For Halloween, the YouTube star recreated Gaga’s meat dress from the MTV Video Music Awards, and was as iconic as it gets.

8. Perrie Edwards and her son Axel as Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars

This year, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars ed forces for a single that took over the music industry. “Die With a Smile” was a major commercial success and peaked at the top of the Billboard Global 200 for eight weeks, and its impact is undeniable. Because of this, the Little Mix star Perrie Edwards used the vibe from the music video to create the cutest costume with her son, Axel.

7. Leni Klum as Pamela Anderson

Pamela Anderson is also getting a renaissance, as she discovers who she is and learns her worth. However, as much as she advocates for natural beauty and makeup-free styles, her earlier looks are iconic and legendary. Heidi Klum’s daughter, Leni, used her as inspiration. She proves she learned more than modeling from her mom and she and her boyfriend, Aris Rachevsky, dressed up as Pam and Tommy.

For Heidi’s Halloween party at the Hard Rock Hotel in New York City, Leni went all in with an alien look, completing her mom’s theme as E.T.

6. Elsa Hosk as Princess Diana

There’s no one more iconic in pop history than Princess Diana. Literally royalty, she wasn’t dubbed the “People’s Princess” for nothing. Model Elsa Hosk channeled her inner princess and put on Lady Di’s revenge dress for Halloween, which was spon-on.

5. Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber as Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie

Models and best friends Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber had a t costume as Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie in their short-lived, early-2000s reality show, The Simple Life. “Happy Halloween from Paris and Nicole,” Bieber captioned the TikTok clip.

They wore the same outfits as the two Hilton sisters on the poster for the show, and even received a reaction from their inspirations. Richie reshared the photos on her Instagram, writing, “I am obsessed.” Hilton reposted the outfits, adding, “Iconic.”

4. Beyonce as Betty Davis

Even icons like Beyonce have other legendary artists they look up to and want to channel. This year, the “Single Ladies” singer put on a zebra bodysuit and a big black wig and recreated Betty Davis’ This Is It album cover. This fueled the speculation that, after her country stint, she’d be doing a rock album next and everyone wanted it like yesterday.

3. Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos as Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce

For the second year in a role, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos’ Live with Kelly and Mark Halloween special featured the couple of the moment, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. For the segment, the duo dressed up as Tayvis at the U.S. Open, with Tay-Tay’s red-and-white checkered dress, and Trav’s Gucci bucket hat included.

2. Halle Bailey as Halle Berry

Everyone who has been personally victimized by the closeness in Halle Bailey and Halle Berry’s name please raise your hand. The Little Mermaid actress knows the struggle and decided to double down on the similarities this year, dres as Halle Berry. She used her James Bond role in Die Another Day as her inspiration, and now I’m more confused than ever.

1. Paris Hilton as Britney Spears

There are few stars as big as Paris Hilton and Britney Spears and their friendship is one of the most mediatized relationships of all time. Hilton is still a major fan of her BFF and channeled her inner “Baby One More Time” look for Halloween 2024, a year after she dressed up as Britney from her music video “Toxic.” All I can say is: gimme more.

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Just when folks had finally figured out the difference between them, Halle Bailey has re-embraced her status as the reincarnation of Halle Berry by recreating one of the X-Men icon’s most memorable screen looks for Halloween. Or should we say Halleween?

It’s not even the big day itself, but every other celebrity out there might as well just stay home on Oct. 31 and stuff themselves full of their kids’ candy to commiserate, as none of them are going to beat Bailey’s effort. The Little Mermaid star went all out to channel Berry in 2002 James Bond film Die Another Day, in which her near-namesake played NSA agent Jinx Johnson opposite Pierce Brosnan’s 007.

In one famous scene from the 40th anniversary movie, Berry gave her twist on Ursula Andress’ legendary moment from 1962’s Dr. No and emerged from the sea in a bold orange bikini. It’s this look that Bailey has expertly recreated for her Halloween 2024 costume, as originally shared on her Instagram. Bailey even donned a pixie cut wig and didn’t miss the authentic accessory of a white leather belt/knife holster.

Reactions to Bailey’s bombshell Halloween cosplay couldn’t resist doubling down on the double-trouble fun. “Had to read this twice,” was a reply that came up a lot, while someone else declared, “Halle did it better.” They’re right — Halle never stood a chance, what with Halle looking like that. Over on Bailey’s Instagram, the comments were full of discombobulated delight. “Halle as Halle?">Berry had to make a statement on social media to clarify that, no, she was not playing Ariel and she sent all the love Bailey’s way. One of these days, Hollywood will cotton on to their chemistry and cast both Halles as a mother/daughter duo in, say, an action-comedy.

Alternatively, the James Bond franchise is in need of a relaunch right now. A Jinx spin-off was almost made back in the day, so how’s about resurrecting the idea and casting Bailey to share the role with Berry for flashback sequences exploring Agent Johnson’s origins? MGM, we’ll talk.

Halle Bailey is only 24 years old, and while many twentysomethings are still bar hopping and trying to figure out what to do with their lives, she’s achieved so much. We’ve been celebrating her success since she and her sister Chloe Bailey first came onto the music scene as a duo. As is often the case when someone gets super famous quickly, she has found a balance between telling fans about herself and keeping some things private… including her love life.

Bailey, who starred in The Color Purple and The Little Mermaid and also played Sky Forster on Grown-ish, started dating rapper DDG a little while ago. But while their careers both continue to heat up, what’s going on with their relationship?

Did Halle Bailey and her boyfriend DDG split?

Yes, sadly, Bailey and DDG broke up. In early October 2024, DDG explained the news on his Instagram Stories and said they had “reflection and heartfelt conversations.” He continued, “The decision was not easy, but we believe it’s the best part forward for both of us. I cherish the time we’ve spent together and the love we shared.”

While fans no doubt want to know exactly why they decided their relationship was over, they’re not sharing right now… and it makes sense if they never want to make that public. If it’s hard enough telling your friends and family why you and your partner have split up when you’re not famous, I can only imagine what it’s like to get millions of social media comments from total strangers.

According to Us Weekly, everyone found out the couple was dating when they saw Usher perform in January 2022. While they survived a rumor that DDG was unfaithful and saw Rubi Rose, his ex, behind Bailey’s back in February 2023, the couple said that wasn’t true. Throughout the rest of 2023, the pair continued to be photographed at events, from the premiere of the Renaissance movie by Beyoncé, to the Oscar party put on by Vanity Fair.

While no one ever cheers when a celebrity couple breaks up, it’s tough to hear about this particular split because the pair always shared how much they loved each other in interviews. In 2023, Bailey told Cosmopolitan that “this is my first deep, deep, real love.” She described it as “like ‘whoa’ in your brain” and added, “It’s just fireworks, a spark for creativity.”

While Bailey said DDG was her first love and it’s unclear if she has dated anyone else, DDG dated a few people before Bailey, including Rose and Kennedy Cymore.

This news is even tougher considering that Bailey and DDG are parents to their young son Halo, who was born in December 2023. Since they might not say more about their breakup, they might not share with fans anything regarding custody or co-parenting, either. The singer and actress explained that she wanted to maintain her baby’s privacy and said, “Halo was my gift. He is the greatest blessing, and I had no obligation to expose him, me, or my family to that.”

One fan questioned on X if this is “a breakup prank” and if fans will learn the truth shortly. Some are confused about why Bailey and DDG would split up when they have a child. But, of course, lots of couples unfortunately end their relationships even after starting a family. That just adds another layer of complexity to this emotional experience. Fans hope DDG and Bailey both find love again soon, or get back together if that’s the right thing for them.

It’s no question that Brandy is R&B royalty. And now’s as good a time as any to bless the world with a biopic. But it’s never an easy job casting for the role of a musical legend. However, Halle Bailey just might be the perfect star to bring a Brandy biopic to life. Heck, even Brandy herself thinks so.

Sure, there’s the Whitney Houston biopic route, where an actress lip-syncs to original tracks, but there’s a lot more authenticity when a singer steps into these shoes. Which is why Halle Bailey’s name has been making the rounds. But where are the casting rumors coming from, anyway? 

Halle Bailey as Brandy: A Hollywood match!

Halle Bailey on the big screen as Brandy Norwood would be a dream come true. But it’s not just fans doing the dreaming. In fact, the buzz started with Brandy herself. On Aug. 27th, Brandy appeared on an A24 studio interview titled “Close Up with Brandy,” and it was there she spilled the beans about wanting Halle Bailey to play her in a biopic. Clips began circulating around social media, and the rest, as they say, is viral tweets. 

The suggestion is not exactly shocking. Both Brandy and Halle have startlingly similar career trajectories, despite coming from different generations. They also seem to have very similar, warm and welcoming personalities. And to top it off, they’re equally powerful vocalists! And if the Disney live-action remake of The Little Mermaid tells us anything, it’s how much Halle is up to the task with her acting!

Before this, many tweets have gone down in viral history wishing Halle Bailey would star in a Janet Jackson biopic. But if that doesn’t come through, this is more than enough. And who says the 24-year-old singer-songwriter-actress can’t do both?

Why does the world need a Brandy biopic?

Brandy’s career first took off in the 1990s with hit singles like “I Wanna Be Down” and “Baby.” Brandy would go on to become an R&B pioneer before her 18th birthday, and her influence still continues to reverberate in the works of industry hotshots like Arianna Grande, Sam Smith, and Rihanna.

But Brandy wasn’t just successful in the music industry, as she was equally a trailblazing actress. Brandy practically raised an entire generation on her sitcom Moesha, which aired on UPN from 1996 till 2001. Brandy would also star in the 1997 Cinderella movie co-produced by none other than the legendary fairy godmother, Whitney Houston. She was “the Black Cinderella,” so very similar to  Halle Bailey’s “Black Ariel.” In fact, Bailey confessed to being inspired by her for the role!

So, even if the Brandy biopic still exists mostly in speculation land for now, the mere possibility of it is enough to get a lot of people going! These two hard working women have scores of fans across all ages who would nearly break necks in anticipation of a collab, and for good reason. And one thing’s for sure – a Brady biopic, with or without Halle Bailey, would be a deserved tribute to an often- overlooked artist who helped shape R&B for her generation, for the young artists of today, and for generations to come. 

It’s little mermaids making little mermaids out here, as Halle Bailey has announced the birth of her first child.

After months of public speculation, the star of 2023’s The Color Purple and the other half of the musical duo Chloe x, Halle took to Instagram on Jan. 6, 2023, to let interested parties know that she and her boyfriend, 26-year-old rapper DDG, had welcomed their first child, a boy named Halo. That’s the good news. The bad news, for anyone clamoring to learn more, is that further details are going to take some digging to uncover.

Had Halle Bailey shared the news of her pregnancy?

To better contextualize just how private Halle Bailey keeps her personal life, consider the fact that nobody was 100% sure that she was pregnant until she announced the birth of her son. In her announcement post, Bailey revealed astonishingly little, showing only a close-up of the infant’s hand and a bracelet engraved with his name. She called him “the greatest thing that 2023 could have done for me” and welcomed him into the world. The end.

Bailey and DDG were both nonspecific as to their firstborn’s date of birth. The best that internet sleuths can do is work backward through Bailey’s late 2023 — a stretch of time spent in increasingly form-disguising outfits to avoid revealing her pregnancy, which included her last major public appearance at the premiere of The Color Purple on Dec. 6.

Sometime between then and Jan. 6, when Bailey and DDG shared their announcement posts, the couple welcomed Halo into their life. So, we at least know that he’s either a Capricorn or a Sagittarius. For now, they’re keeping further information private. “The world is desperate to know you,” Bailey wrote of her newborn on Instagram. Seems like they’ll have to wait a little longer.

Whether or not you landed in Camp Johnny or Camp Amber during the former couple’s protracted legal proceedings, you’re likely well aware of the accusations levied by each. 

And, regardless of actual fault, both of their careers carry scars from the highly-publicized legal battle. Johnny Depp may have walked away from the trail with a victory in his back pocket, but his career in Hollywood isn’t likely to recover. Nor is Amber Heard’s, if trailers for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom are any indication. 

Heard is barely a side note in trailers for the incoming DCEU conclusion, leaving little doubt as to her future in the franchise. To be fair, she’s in good company as she departs DC ed by the likes of Henry Cavill and Gal Gadot, but Heard’s departure was far less amicable. 

With so little presence in Aquaman’s promotional material, it seems clear that Heard’s time among DC’s lineup of heroes is over. It’s still unclear whether Jason Momoa is also on the way out, given the DCU shake-ups James Gunn has planned, but assuming the King of Atlantis has a future in the revamped DC direction, there are plenty of actresses who can easily swim in as a sub-aquatic addition to the next Aquaman release — or straight-up replace the big man himself. 

Mera

Its exceedingly unlikely that Mera — or Jason Momoa’s Aquaman, for that matter — will survive the move over to James Gunn’s new DCU, but if the character does return in the future, its unlikely she’ll be played by Amber Heard. Should the DCU see worth in maintaining the character, particularly if Momoa does manage to maintain his role, a few stunning actresses could easily take on the part.

Emilia Clarke

She recently enjoyed her bit MCU debut, and — despite the absolute mess that was Secret Invasion — she’s more than capable of taking on a character like Mera. There’s no doubt Ms. Clarke can pull off red hair (after all, she made white hair a new trend during Game of Thrones) and she’s got the presence — and the eyebrows — to make Mera a more impacting character than Heard ever did.

Sophie Turner

Alternatively, we have someone with an established history of pulling off those red locks. Why not, after all, right? Heard’s digitally-enhanced red hair looked great in Aquaman, but wouldn’t the task be a touch easier if the actress behind the character sported more natural looking hair? And, while Turner hasn’t enjoyed a role as challenging as Sansa Stark in a good few years, she proved to us — over at least seven seasons in Game of Thrones — that she’s up to pretty much anything we can throw at her. 

Andrina

Now onto a character far more likely to enjoy a future in the DCU. Once again, this is largely reliant on the franchise maintaining course with Jason Momoa’s Aquaman, but — thus far at least — the big man hasn’t been booted from the role. 

With that in mind, the plot poised to unfurl in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom could be canon in future DC releases. Arthur’s child is a clear focus in trailers for the late 2023 film, which tells us that, no matter what, Andrina has a future in the franchise. 

Sadie Sink

In order to properly honor both of the young Adrina’s parents, I’m providing one option that looks far more like Mera and one that looks far more like Arthur. In the DCEU, Aquaman is — fittingly, in my opinion — played by someone far from the character’s lily white roots, which opens the door to far more diversity in future films. Which means casting Sadie Sink would be a step backward, but one we can easily see DC taking. 

Should they decide Adrina favors her mother more than her father, however, Sadie Sink is a shoe-in for the role. She’s a talented up-and-comer with a built-in fan base, and she’s proven, over several seasons of Stranger Things and films like The Whale, that she easily has what it takes to dominate in any role. 

Auliʻi Cravalho

Despite my genuine enjoyment of Sadie Sink, this is the real answer. Chloe Auliʻi Cravalho, whose voice you’ll recognize as Moana herself, is easily the best choice for this role. She’s Hawaiian, like Jason Momoa, and she’s got talent absolutely leaking out her ears. She would easily be the best choice for the future of the Aquaman franchise, bringing the new era of DC to gorgeous fruition. 

Hila

If Mera’s time in the DCU really is up, there’s plenty of room for an alternate Atlantean heartthrob, albeit one with less pure intentions. Mera’s twin sister, Hila, has yet to make her big entrance in DC’s live-action releases, but she might just be the perfect avenue to ousting Amber Heard — which the franchise clearly intends to do — while still maintaining a lively redhead for fans to thirst after. 

Courtney Eaton

She doesn’t boast the name recognition of Chloe Auliʻi Cravalho or Emilia Clarke, but its practically criminal that Courtney Eaton has yet to make an appearance in Aquaman. One of far too few Native actors to reach acclaim in Hollywood, this Māori star is a shoe-in for the franchise. She’s already cut her teeth on action-packed releases like Mad Max: Fury Road, and she’s a great age to step into a massive franchise like the incoming DCU. She might be a bit young to play Mera’s sister, but she’s got the talent, look, and potential to carry this franchise in a whole new direction. 

Keisha Castle-Hughes

The same can be said for Keisha Castle-Hughes, who might actually suit Hila’s age a bit more. She’s a few years older than Eaton, and — in order for their relation to the 37-year-old Heard-played Mera to make sense — she might just be the perfect fit for the role. You might recognize her from her time on Game of Thrones as one of the Sand Snakes, and the experience she gained on the set of the cultural phenomenon will surely serve her future career well. She and Amber Heard don’t look much alike, but neither do my twin nieces, so why not?

Aquagirl

Another easy potential for those future DC releases is Aquagirl, an obvious next step if the DCU decides to keep its connection to water-themed heroes. We suspect that, if Momoa doesn’t survive the move over to the DCU, Aquaman and any related characters will be tossed out. Who better to pivot over to than Aquagirl, another Atlantean with plenty of fighting know-how? Tula Marius, the first iteration of Aquagirl, could make for a great new direction for James Gunn, particularly if the right actress is cast.

Halle Bailey

I mean, she’s clearly already familiar with the challenges of those underwater scenes, and Halle Bailey’s star is only set to rise higher following her appearance in Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid. She presents a perfect option for a major shift over at DC, with her youth, talent, and spectacular singing voice all presenting unique and intriguing possibilities for a far less cut-and-dried future for the franchise.

As Aquagirl, she could represent a new generation — and a new era — for DC, carrying a team of youthful superheroes to success. 

Nathalie Emmanuel

Nathalie Emmanuel dazzled as Missandei in HBO’s Game of Thrones, and the years since have given her plenty of time to stretch her wings and branch out into other roles. She’s spectacular in dramatic roles, which GoT taught us, but her talent in horror, comedy, and every other genre available shines through her resume, which has seen her enjoy cross-genre success for decades now.

Emmanuel brings a serene, more mature potential to the character of Aquagirl, separate from Bailey’s youthful charm. She’d provide us with a very different take on the character, but one we’d absolutely love to see. 

Dolphin

James Gunn is well established as a fan of fringe, lesser-known comic books. His work on the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise made the characters household names, but ahead of their 2014 debut film, they were relatively obscure. Gunn’s tendency toward the lesser-known could see him veer away from the common characters — the Meras, Andrinas, or Aquagirls — instead leaning on a popular, but periphery, character named Dolphin. She’s not unknown, by any means, but Dolphin’s relative obscurity could make her the perfect fit for Gunn’s new direction. Add to that her isolated upbringing — which would perfectly explain her distance from other, established DC characters — and her water-based abilities, and we may have found a perfect fit of the future of DC.

Zendaya 

I mean, how could Zendaya not cinch a spot on this list? She’s one of Hollywood’s fastest-rising stars, after all, and her talent seemingly knows no bounds. She’s part of several massive properties, headlining HBO’s Euphoria, starring alongside Tom Holland in the MCU, and delighting audiences in Dune. She’s utterly unstoppable, and there’s no reason for her not to bring that talent to the DCU.

Sure, she’s already an MCU staple, but why shouldn’t she spread the wealth to the other half of comics heavy hitters? She’d certainly give the burgeoning franchise a boost, and her take on Dolphin could provide a unique and interesting change from the tired and true form of the DCEU.

Siena Agudong

We all love us some Zendaya, but it may be best for a lesser-known actress to take on the role of Dolphin. The character is traditionally white — but come on now, almost all comic book characters are traditionally white — so I really don’t feel bad about adding some diversity into the mix.

Casting Siena Aqudong in the role would allow one of the best things the DCEU did — casting Jason Momoa as Aquaman — to persist, by maintaining a Hawaiian native in a leading, water-based role. She hasn’t been in much just yet, but her smattering of film and television roles — from F9 and Resident Evil to 2019’s No Good Nick — have well-prepared her to step into her first major blockbuster.

The Twittersphere (or, X-sphere, which doesn’t quite have the same ring to it) was set alight as images of Halle Bailey and her boyfriend, DDG, seemingly pointed to an update in the pair’s relationship. TMZ snapped the couple out and about in Santa Monica, with The Little Mermaid star sporting a baggy hoodie and sweatpants.

Naturally, since celebrities simply never wear comfortable clothes, the singer and actress’ attire has fuelled speculation that she is pregnant. The rumour has been churning since at least last month, when Balle wore a flowy dress while presenting a trophy at the MTV Video Music Awards.

While neither party has officially confirmed a pregnancy, attention has turned to the possible father-to-be. So, who exactly is DDG, and how long has he been involved with The Little Mermaid herself?

Who is Halle Bailey’s boyfriend, DDG?

DDG, known off stage as Darryl Dwayne Granberry, is a 26-year-old rapper and YouTube personality from Michigan. In the music sphere, DDG is founder of his own record label, Zooted Music, as well as a signee to Epic Records, also home to starry names like Travis Scott, Future and Madison Beer.

DDG’s biggest single, the Blueface-assisted “Moonwalking in Calabasas”, arrived in 2020, and has since garnered over 300 million streams. The rapper has released three albums, from his 2019 debut Valedictorian to his most recent effort Maybe It’s Me…, which arrived this year. Over the course of his music career, DDG has collaborated with the likes of Gunna, Polo G and Lil Yachty.

How long have Halle Bailey and DDG been dating?

Rumours of DDG’s involvement with Bailey — also a musician and one half of the Beyoncé-certified Chloe x Halle duo alongside her sister, Chloe — first surfaced in January 2022. The pair were spotted attending Usher’s concert in Las Vegas, and their romance was later confirmed in March of that same year via a since-deleted Instagram post on DDG’s page.

Since then, DDG and Bailey have made numerous public appearances together, making their dual debut on the BET Awards red carpet in March of this year. Elsewhere, the couple attended this year’s Vanity Fair Oscars after party, and more recently graced the red carpet of the Glamour Women of the Year Awards.

What has DDG said about Halle Bailey?

Alongside their all-smiles appearances, DDG has gushed over his girlfriend in numerous interviews since the announcement of their relationship. Speaking to People, DDG said he was “very proud” of Bailey’s titular role in The Little Mermaid and was “very happy to see it.” The rapper itted he was “more excited than anybody else,” and said watching Bailey’s dreams come to life was “dope.”

The same grace wasn’t exactly extended into the studio, however, with DDG attracting criticism for some of his lyrics referring to Bailey on the 2023 song, “Famous.” The rapper appeared to reference Bailey’s on-screen kiss with co-star and Prince Eric actor Jonah Hauer-King, saying he “don’t wanna see this s*** no more.”

In any case, DDG’s aversion to Bailey’s film roles hasn’t stopped her growing list of credits, with the actress set to appear in the musical adaptation of The Color Purple alongside Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks and more.

We know, we know, Halle Bailey has lived rent-free in your minds since The Little Mermaid hit theatres. Her angelic, velvety voice, paired with that adorably terrifying Flounder, hasn’t left my head for months, so I get it. Lately, though, the buzz has shifted from fins and bubbles to babies and toxic relationships. It feels like a bit of a downgrade if you ask me, but alas, we can’t all stay happily submerged under the sea forever.

This time, however, the rumors of a toxic relationship aren’t stemming from Prince Eric, but from netizens who have long been scrutinizing Bailey’s relationship with the rapper DDG. Things took a turn for the worse when pregnancy speculations emerged after an Instagram live session DDG hosted, during which Bailey appeared noticeably pregnant in the background. For months after that, her supposed pregnancy became almost a running joke among netizens – until today.

Is Halle Bailey pregnant?

Technically, neither Bailey nor DDG have officially confirmed any pregnancy rumors, but some pictures of the actress and the rapper in Santa Monica were taken today, showing a visible baby bump. If true – and it certainly appears to be – this would mean that Bailey is expecting her first child at the age of 23, right after achieving her breakthrough in Hollywood, and becoming an overnight sensation following the success of her album with her sister, Chloe Bailey.

Of course, it would be wrong to claim with absolute certainty that she is pregnant, but considering her consistent choice of baggy dresses at recent award shows, coupled with the most recent images clearly showing the bump – it’s becoming difficult to deny the obvious. This would also mean that during her promotional activities and iconic performance of “Part of Your World” at Disneyland, Bailey was already pregnant.

Unfortunately, as happy as the news is for many fans, a large majority of s on social media don’t seem to be as happy for the artist. This is purely derived from their despise for DDG after he released the track “Famous,” where he shares his insecurities regarding Bailey – an actress, may I remind you – kissing her co-star while shooting The Little Mermaid. The song even goes as far as suggesting that DDG believed Bailey was unfaithful to him for simply doing her job. Bananas.

Ultimately, it is nearly confirmed that Bailey is expecting her first child with DDG. At this point, all fans can do is wish them the best in their future, knowing that Bailey will have a lifelong connection with DDG, regardless of the circumstances.

The Little Mermaid may have made Halle Bailey a household name, but the 23-year-old has been grinding for years. She appeared in her first movie at the age of six, and started writing songs alongside her older sister and bandmate, Chloe Bailey, by the time she was 8. The young actress is just getting started in her career, and with near-guaranteed hits like the remake of The Color Purple under her belt, there’s no doubt her small fortune will continue to grow alongside her rising fame.

How much is Halle Bailey worth?

Bailey got her start writing songs alongside her older sister Chloe with the help of their father and co-manager, Doug Bailey. The Bailey patriarch encouraged them to do everything on their own, teaching them the skills to make their dreams come true. With his help, Halle broke into the acting world by 3, finding success on the Disney channel. By 11, the sisters had started their own YouTube channel, where they would get their first viral moment by covering Beyonce’s “Pretty Hurts.” The video opened doors for the duo, and they appeared on The Ellen Show before landing cameos appearances on Austin & Ally and Wet N’ Wild. Both Bailey sisters were cast on the ABC sitcom Grown-ish in 2018, with Halle playing Skylar Foster, and her sister playing her twin, Jazlyn. While the two were primary cast for the first four seasons, they would fall back to tertiary roles for the later seasons as they pursued other avenues.

Ina life changing moment, Halley Bailey was cast as Ariel in 2019. She worked her buns off to get ready for the film – mermaids run a high risk for whiplash, as it turns out— and spent up to 13 hours a day in water. She was paid $1.5 million for the role, out earning co-stars Javier Bardem and Mellissa McCarthy by more than half-a-million.  Since her success with The Little Mermaid, Bailey has since split from her sister to pursue a solo musical career. In August 2023 she released her first single, “Angel”, which was met with critical acclaim. Bailey has yet to announce a concert tour.

As of right now, the musical artist turned actress is worth approximately $3 million, but she has several projects well underway. Bailey has been tapped in to play young Nettie in the 2023 movie, The Color Purple; a film based on the musical retelling of the 1985 classic film.

Like most Disney flicks, her first film is on perpetual repeat in many homes, and there’s no doubt Bailey will continue to amass a fortune.