WHILE Beyonce is grabbing attention on her glitzy Renaissance Tour, her protégé Halle Bailey is also in the spotlight as Princess Ariel in the live-action adaptation of Disney’s The Little Mermaid.

Ahead of tomorrow’s UK premiere of the film, Halle credited the super star for being her “rock” and giving her advice on how to deal with the racial backlash she received for being the first black actress to play the role.

7

7

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 and white – following the classic 1989 Disney animation.

In an exclusive chat with Biz 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 quite sad – but very good advice for your mental health.

“I started in the industry so young that mental health has always been something I’ve tried to prioritize.”

The Atlanta-born starlet added: “It was a shock at first to see the reaction to it – but then it started to bother me less.”

Halle admits that having the support of Queen Bey along with other big names has made her feel more confident when it comes to dealing with criticism.

She added: “I’ve had superstars like Beyonce, Zendaya and Nicki Minaj speak on my behalf and how excited they were that I was cast – it was really 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 has racked up more than 21 million views on YouTube.

The siblings have since signed a million-dollar, six-album deal with Beyonce’s record label, Parkwood Entertainment.

“Beyonce has been an absolute rock for me,” says Halle.

“I’ve been able to go to her for creative advice since I was 15 – how many people can say they’ve had that?”

And landing the role of Ariel also boosted her confidence.

She said: “It feels a bit cheesy, but Ariel has honestly taught me things.

“I’m only 23, so I’m still learning, and she taught me to be brave and go after what I want.”

DANNY IS IN THE DARK AGAIN

DANNY DYER’s cool reality show Scared Of The Dark has been given the green light for a second series.

The Celebrity Big Brother show – in which eight celebs spend a week stumbling around in the dark – was an unlikely hit for Channel 4.

7

A TV insider tells me: “Scared Of The Dark was a bit of a risk.

“It could have been really dull or fascinating and luckily for TV bosses it was the latter and Danny was a big part of its success.”

With Danny as the wise host, football legend Paul Gascoigne triumphed over the likes of Max George, Chris Eubank and Scarlett Moffatt, all of whom suffered dark trauma but gripped the nation.

The source added: “It was filmed over a few weeks in the summer so it’s really easy to get into the look.

“It was a no-brainer for bosses to order another series – they just need to convince celebs to sign up.

“It certainly won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, especially because it forces some people to face their inner demons.”

A real light bulb 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 unwinds by spinning decks at his home in Ironbridge, Shrops.

And Dame Judi isn’t the only superstar giving DJ Jay a plug.

At the Bafta nominees party, he said: “Judi is cool. She is a nice person – really, really cool.

“She gave me a bell and I have one for Sir David Jason and Dame Mary Berry.

“They go on when I’m playing music, so they say, ‘You’re 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 REVIVE POP-PUNK GLORY

WEARING leather fishnet tights and a red tartan skirt, Avril Lavigne revived the pop-punk era on Tuesday.

Covering Joan Jett’s Bad Reputation, Avril struck a note that transported a large number of millennials back to their pre-teen days.

7

Her 2002 heartbreak anthem Comlicated made Ally Pally fans relive the emotions of their first breakup before My Happy Ending had fans fist-pumping to the chords of her electric guitar.

Avril also played her new hits including Love It When You Hate Me – and she proved she’s still in touch with her youth when 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 darling who let her fans bask in the confusing emotions of a teenager in love for an evening.

VANESSA HAS STRIPES 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 beautiful telly star is looking for love on celebrity dating app Raya.

7

The German ice woman uploaded sizzling bikini shots to her profile online just days after breaking up with the reality star.

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 spilled milk – she’s moving on from Joey and not looking back.

“She’s obviously feeling flirtatious and ready to meet someone new, but she’s also eager to show him what he’s missing.”

Last week, Joey told us that he was looking for somewhere to live in Dubai, that he was enjoying the single life and that Lily James followed him on Instagram, so it looks like he’s moved on too.

Nice swipe, Vanessa.

CLARA’S TALL FISH

RADIO 1’s Clara Amfo has revealed she loves RuPaul’s Drag Race UK judge Michelle Visage “with every fiber of my being”.

The DJ, who is hosting the BAFTA TV Awards red carpet with Michelle tonight, told me: “We’ve become really good friends.

“We are very excited – a lot of WhatsApp, a lot of FaceTiming.
“I don’t think people realize we’re mates.”

But Clara admits she still gets nervous when talking to Showbiz royalty.

She said: “With Emma Thompson I caught stars. I did the Matilda premiere and she’s just fantastic.

“I really want to see Kate Winslet. I’m a big fan and I think she’ll make me a little starstruck.”

HAILEY BLAZERS A SPOILER

HAILEY BIEBER looked effortlessly chic in a light blue jacket and baseball cap on a date with hubby Justin Bieber in New York.

Justin matched his wife’s style in a light blue shirt and baggy jeans.

7

7

Earlier in the day, the couple were spotted with their Yorkshire Terriers, Piggy Lou and Oscar.

Hailey revealed on Instagram that 2023 was challenging.

She said: “I like to joke about how I feel because sometimes it’s easier than admitting that 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 were fragile to say the least.”