Serena Williams' Husband Alexis Ohanian Praises 'The Little Mermaid' Success

Serena Williams' husband, Alexis Ohanian, wants everyone to know he is a fanboy of "The Little Mermaid."

The renowned entrepreneur has joined the chorus of praise for the astonishing success of Disney's latest live-action adaptation. Despite his current status as one of the world's most accomplished tech investors, he remains remarkably up-to-date in the ever-evolving realm of the film industry.

With initial skepticism and pessimistic predictions surrounding its box office success, the film defied expectations and is now breaking numerous records. When the trailer for the movie hit the screens, critics wasted no time voicing their doubts and predicting a dismal fate for the film at the box office.

However, its first four-day weekend alone garnered nearly $121 million, solidifying its remarkable success. Not one of the skeptics, Ohanian took to Instagram to celebrate the Disney movie in a recent post.

The 40-year-old's social media message marked the movie's triumph and served as a satisfying response to those who doubted its potential before its release. Expressing his delight, the Reddit founder playfully questioned the whereabouts of those who had predicted the film's failure, writing, "Where's everyone who said this would flop?"

In addition to his humorous response to the critics, the father-of-one delightedly shared with his followers that his family thoroughly enjoyed it after watching the movie in its entirety. In his words, "@olympiaohanian and the whole family loved it." Ohanian then acknowledged the remarkable talent of actress Halle Bailey, giving her due credit for her astounding singing performance. 

In a triumphant return after 35 years since the beloved animated tale, the live-action remake of "The Little Mermaid" has emerged as a box office powerhouse over the Memorial Day weekend.

Projected to earn a staggering $118 million during the four-day holiday period, Variety reported that it generated $96 million over the three-day frame alone. This achievement placed it as the fifth highest-grossing Memorial Day opening in history.

The enchanting magic of the film came at a significant cost, with a hefty production budget of $250 million. The film will rely on continued strong audience turnout worldwide to achieve profitability. Internationally, it has accumulated an impressive $68.3 million from 51 different markets.

Within the United States, the audience composition was predominantly female, comprising 68% of ticket buyers. The age group of 25 to 34 represented 25% of the audience, while kids accounted for 22% of the opening weekend crowds. 

In May, The Blast reported that the actress had a heartfelt message for her young fans who had never seen themselves represented as their beloved princesses. Speaking to Good Morning America on the red carpet, she said:

"I hope that they just know that they are worthy, and we deserve to be in these spaces. And I hope they see themselves and me on the screen."

Expressing her gratitude, the singer acknowledged the significance of her role, stating, "I'm just grateful to be here." She further recognized the trailblazing examples set by African-American actresses like Brandy and Anika Rose, who had previously portrayed Disney Princesses.

Reflecting on her backlash, Bailey revealed she was prepared for it, acknowledging, "As a Black person, you just expect it, and it's not a shock anymore." 

In another interview with The Face, she mentioned that she drew from the advice she received from Beyoncé, who signed Bailey and her sister Chlöe to Parkwood. "I never read my comments. Don't ever read the comments," their mentor advised.  

Highlighting the importance of representation, the songwriter noted, "I know people are like:' It's not about race.' But now that I'm here…People don't understand that there's another community when you're Black. It's so essential for us to see ourselves."