Halle Bailey and Jodi Benson enjoy Ariel reunion at The Little Mermaid premiere

Halle Bailey and original Ariel voice actress Jodi Benson enjoyed a wholesome moment together on the red carpet at the world premiere for The Little Mermaid.

The stars descended on the Los Angeles event on Monday night, including cast members Javier Bardem, Melissa McCarthy, Jonah Hauer-King and Awkwafina.

However, all eyes were on leading lady (or should we say mermaid?) Halle in a gorgeous silver shimmering gown with a fishtail design top.

Perhaps the second most important person on that carpet for fans was Jodi, 61, who voices many a Disney lover’s childhood with her rendition of Part of Your World in the 1989 animated classic.

Therefore, when Halle made a beeline straight for Jodi on the red carpet, hearts were well and truly warmed as the two actresses embraced.

Jodi, who was wearing a glittering pale blue gown and cape could be seen speaking into Halle’s ear as the pair hugged, before they pulled away and held hands as the older star continued the conversation.

The pair then hugged again before posing for a few pictures together, in a video shared to the film’s official social media which was set to 23-year-old Halle’s new version of Part of Your World.

Therefore, we couldn’t hear exactly what it was they were saying to one another, but we bet Jodi was likely congratulating the singer and actress on her performance.

The Tony nominee told Entertainment Tonight on the red carpet: ‘She doesn’t need any advice from me, she’s brilliant! I did get to meet her a few time and chat with her and just to tell her how proud I was of her.

‘But I love that she has a purity of heart and a pure spirit and you can see that vulnerability and that childlike [sic] and that bravery and courage coming through, and it’s beautiful.’

‘I’m so thrilled for her and I’m so proud of her,’ she added.

Fans were living for their public reunion and a chance to see both Ariel actresses together.

‘Halle Bailey and Jodi Benson sharing this moment together is absolutely everything! Nothing but love and support right there,’ tweeted one fan, while another simply wrote: ‘I love this so much.’

‘When two queens get together and maximize their joint slay,’ posted one admiring fan.

Another declared: ‘TWO ICONS SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHER.’

People were already welling up at the thought of a collaboration too.

‘It would be amazing to have them sing Part of Your World together. Would legit cry!’ confessed one person.

Halle has teased fans with her take on Ariel already, promising them a modern mermaid who wouldn’t ‘leave the ocean for a boy’.

‘It’s way bigger than that. It’s about herself, her purpose, her freedom, her life and what she wants,’ she told Edition magazine. 

The Little Mermaid is out in UK cinemas on May 26. 

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Jack Nicholson soaks up spotlight once again at basketball game with son Ray after two years in seclusion

MORE : Diane Keaton charmingly modest as she denies screen icon status and thirsts over Book Club: The Next Chapter co-star Andy Garcia