During the Essence Black Women in Hollywood luncheon, Halle Bailey had been honored during the event where she accepted her award and gave a speech. She addressed the backlash she received over not revealing her pregnancy and disclosing it to the world.
“During one of my proudest moments being cast as Ariel, that’s when I discovered two things about being Black in Hollywood. It can be unfair and it can expose you to criticism just for being you. Not because you’re a bad actor or you’ve given a poor performance, but just because you look like you do,” Bailey said.
She continued, “There was no way in hell I was going to share the biggest joy of my world with anyone. Halo was my gift. I had no obligation to expose him, me or my family to that unyielding spotlight.”
Concluding with her speech, she said, “With the state of the world, and men trying to force their will on women’s bodies, no one on social media was going to tell me what to share. Remember when Zion David Marley, who came from a queen named Lauryn Hill, entered the world? Do you remember how private Beyoncé was about her pregnancy? Every woman in the world has the right to choose what to do with their bodies.” she says of critics. “So thank you. Thank you to some of the strong women in my life, like my beautiful sisters standing here on the stage with me for setting examples in resilience, confidence, and independence”
