The Little Mermaid is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable Disney Princesses, largely due to the combined attributes of the four women who inspired Ariel’s design. Since Disney debuted Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937, the franchise has continued to bring princesses to life through its animated films. Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s book by the same title, 1989’s The Little Mermaid is among Disney’s most popular films. And all it's success has now earned it a live-action adaptation, set to release in 2023.
The Little Mermaid is about 16-year-old Ariel, the seventh daughter of King Triton and Queen Athena, rulers of the underwater kingdom Atlantica. Along with her fishy friends Flounder and Sebastian, Ariel adventures onto land to find true love, even trading her voice for the legs she requires to do so. Her story of bravery, sacrifice, and seeking the “kiss of true love” remains one of Disney’s best princess fairytales, though it may be Ariel’s unique design that’s more memorable than anything.
Needing to accurately convey Ariel’s expressions and movements both on land and under the sea, the film’s animation team referenced live-action footage. Careful consideration was also put into Ariel’s physical appearance, including her expressive blue eyes and iconic long, red hair that always seems perfectly styled despite being wet. Emily Zemler’s new book Disney Princess: Beyond The Tiara explains that “[a]nimator and Disney Legend Glen Keane, who was largely responsible for Ariel’s look” primarily drew inspiration for these and other elements of Ariel’s design from four women: his wife Linda, model Christie Brinkley, actress Alyssa Milano, and comedian Sherri Stoner.
Why Each Woman Who Inspired Disney's Ariel Was Important
Brinkley and Milano largely contributed to Ariel’s unique princess design. A ‘70s and ‘80s style icon, Brinkley was known for her voluminous, “swooping bangs [that] can clearly be seen on Ariel.” Though unconfirmed, it’s also possible her blue eyes factored into Ariel’s own eye color. Milano, who was a popular teen starlet at the time of the film’s early stages, likely inspired Ariel’s youthful and feminine facial features. Like Brinkley, Milano also donned the same type of big 80s hair reflected in Ariel’s stylization. Personality-wise, Ariel is portrayed as a spirited, kind and curious girl. While it’s hard to know for sure how exactly Keane’s wife Linda inspired Ariel, it’s likely his love and fondness for her translated into this enchanting characterization.
Regarding Ariel’s physicality, Stoner was enlisted to “help guide the characters’ movement… perform[ing] Ariel’s scenes in a studio on camera.” Disney’s 2D movie animators painstakingly “printed every sixth frame of film to study as she mimed to a pre-recorded soundtrack on a bare stage,” and in large tanks of water (via Cartoon Research). “Sherri’s face is very cartoony. Her eyes – she has very big eyes – are more than just eyes. Her expressive hands and fingers… are even more emotional than her eyes,” Keane further explained Stoner’s contributions. Stoner added “I provide little quirks and idiosyncrasies, personality traits that will add to the character… I can definitely see myself behind the character and friends say they can readily spot my smile and hand gestures.” Given Ariel’s features and movements in the movie, it’s clear how these four women, Keane and Disney’s talented staff, all contributed to Ariel’s iconic design from Disney’s The Little Mermaid.
