9 celebrities who inspired the looks of Disney princesses

Advertisement
9 celebrities who inspired the looks of Disney princesses
Advertisement

Jean Harlow and Claudette Colbert inspired the look of the first Disney princess, Snow White.

Jean Harlow and Claudette Colbert inspired the look of the first Disney princess, Snow White.
Jean Harlow (left) and Claudette Colbert (right) inspired Snow White's hair and brows.Bettmann/Getty Images, Disney, FPG/Getty Images

Snow White's thin eyebrows and hairstyle were inspired by popular actors at the time, including Jean Harlow, Claudette Colbert, and Marlene Dietrich.

Disney legend Marge Champion acted out film scenes as a model reference for animators.

Early sketches of Snow White with a larger head and eyes resembled animator Grim Natwick's work on Betty Boop.

It's believed that Grace Kelly's influence can be seen in Cinderella.

It's believed that Grace Kelly's influence can be seen in Cinderella.
A photo of Grace Kelly from 1950, the same year "Cinderella" came out.Bettmann via Getty Images, Disney

In "Beyond the Tiara," Cinderella's blonde hair and delicate features are said to resemble the "Dial M for Murder" actor.

Advertisement

Audrey Hepburn was looked at when designing Aurora for "Sleeping Beauty."

Audrey Hepburn was looked at when designing Aurora for "Sleeping Beauty."
Audrey Hepburn and Aurora in "Sleeping Beauty."Bettmann via Getty Images, Disney

According to "Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara," the two not only share a similar facial structure but also prominent eyebrows and very expressive eyes.

If you're a fan of Hepburn's 1953 film "Roman Holiday," Aurora's outfits contain elements with nods to fashion from the movie.

Christie Brinkley was one of the inspirations for Ariel's look in 1989's "The Little Mermaid."

Christie Brinkley was one of the inspirations for Ariel's look in 1989's "The Little Mermaid."
Christie Brinkley was one source of inspiration for Ariel.Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images, Disney

Ariel was even originally designed as a blonde mermaid. You can see above how Brinkley's hair from the late '80s would've inspired some of Ariel's appearance.

Animator Glen Keane also looked to his wife. Actor Sherri Stoner helped nail down Ariel's movements and expressions.

Advertisement

Elizabeth Taylor and Natalie Wood were both looked at while creating Belle.

Elizabeth Taylor and Natalie Wood were both looked at while creating Belle.
Elizabeth Taylor and Natalie Wood were among those who inspired Belle's look in "Beauty and the Beast."Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images, Disney

Taylor, Wood, and Hepburn were among the faces animators kept on a board while designing the "Beauty and the Beast" character.

Voice actor Paige O'Hara also served as an influence for the character's personality while Stoner returned as a live-action reference for the princess.

Anika Noni Rose didn't just lend her voice to Tiana in "The Princess and the Frog."

Anika Noni Rose didn't just lend her voice to Tiana in "The Princess and the Frog."
Tiana's smile comes straight from Anika Noni Rose.Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for ReedPOP

"I went to the directors one day and said 'Can I put dimples in? I see Anika's got these amazing dimples and when she smiles, it just lights up a room,'" animator Mark Henn said of basing some of Tiana on the actor.

Another big source of inspiration for the character was Leah Chase, the owner of Dooky Chase's New Orleans restaurant who was referred to as "the Queen of Creole Cuisine."

Members of the NAACP and Oprah Winfrey, who voiced Tiana's mother in the animated film, also weighed in to make sure Tiana felt authentic.

Advertisement

Ming-Na Wen voiced Mulan and also served as one source of inspiration for the heroine.

Ming-Na Wen voiced Mulan and also served as one source of inspiration for the heroine.
Ming-Na Wen is the voice of Mulan.Frederic M. Brown/AFP, Getty Images, Walt Disney Animation

In "Beyond the Tiara," animator Mark Henn says the voice actor influenced the personality and final design of the character.