Top 10 Actresses Who Inspired the Look of a Disney Princess

Tiana
Coming from a theatrical background Anika Noni Rose became widely known to filmgoing audiences with the movie adaptation of “Dreamgirls.” Years later that talent as a singer and actress would allow her to lend her voice to Disney’s first African American princess, Tiana, in “The Princess and the Frog.” Of course her voice wasn’t the only thing that Rose lent to the character. Anika Noni Rose so strikingly resembles her character – right down to the dimples – which makes us want her cast in a live action adaptation all the more.

Merida
The Scottish princess from Disney/Pixar’s 2012 outing “Brave” possessed an absolutely iconic look with her striking shock of vibrant red hair. That unique mane was so integral to the character design that Pixar actually created a new software program in order to animate it realistically. The idea for her hair, along with her overall look, was largely inspired by trendsetting model and actress Lily Cole, perhaps best known for her starring role in the Terry Gilliam film “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.” Cole confirmed that she met with “Brave’s” art director Tia Kratter, who based the fiery princess’ look off her. In addition to the princess’ hair, freckles, and blue eyes, even her face shape, teeth, and nose are reminiscent of Cole’s features.

Snow White
The first ever Disney princess was renowned for being the fairest in all the land so it shouldn't come as a shock that a number of fair Hollywood starlets helped inspire her look. Chief among those was Jean Harlow who, despite playing roles different from the wholesome princess in demeanor, was a dead ringer for the character. Harlow’s trademark thin eyebrows, bold cupid’s bow red lips, and even hairstyle, are evident in Snow White’s design. Both were young objects of desire – albeit different kinds of desire. Harlow was a sex symbol in the 1930s; however, her career was cut tragically short when she died the same year “Snow White” was released at just twenty-six years old.

Cinderella
We know for sure that actress Helene Stanley helped to inspire a number of Disney Princesses, including Cinderella, as Stanley served as the live action model for her. Some speculate, however, that Grace Kelly also inspired the princess’ look. While she had not yet risen to the heights that she would be known for later in life, Grace Kelly was already a model and Broadway star when Cinderella released in 1950. Even more than her blonde locks, Kelly’s fashion sense is speculated to have had an impact on Cinderella’s ball gown. Funnily enough, the character’s ascent to royalty is only rivaled by Kelly’s own, who would transform from Broadway star to Hollywood A-Lister to, eventually, the Princess of Monaco.

Pocahontas
Despite being the only Disney Princess based on an actual person, the animated version of Pocahontas bears little physical resemblance to the historical figure. She does however take her look from another real person closely linked to the character, her voice actress Irene Bedard. With Bedard primarily working in live action, it’s no surprise that her physicality and general look were present in the final product. That live action work has stretched across decades, from the leading role in “Smoke Signals” to Netflix’s newest “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” She even appeared in Terrence Malick’s “The New World,” this time playing Pocahontas’ mother.

Jasmine
During the late 1980s and early 90s, Jennifer Connelly had become known for being one of the most stunningly beautiful and talented upcoming actresses in Hollywood. When Mark Henn began designing Jasmine, who was meant to be as lovely as she was headstrong, he looked to at least three sources. Those were his sister, some mysterious person he saw at a theme park, and of course Connelly, whose facial structure (most notably her eyebrows) were apparent in the Princess of Agrabah. Both Jasmine and her muse Connelly would continue their fame in the decades that followed. While Jasmine has gone on to be one of Disney’s most beloved princesses, Connelly would move into even more powerful roles, taking home an Academy Award for her role in “A Beautiful Mind.”

Mulan
Disney didn’t need to look far when finding someone to model Mulan after. In addition to her voice work, Ming-Na Wen has been a prolific live action actor both before and after being cast as the girl who saved China. In the book “Disney Princesses: Beyond the Tiara”, it was revealed that Mark Henn, lead animator of Mulan (and most of the princesses in the Disney Renaissance), emulated her voice performer. While he would animate Mulan and her alter ego Ping slightly differently, both drew from Wen’s personality and physicality. It’s no wonder then that more than most voice actors, she’s become intrinsically linked to the princess.

Belle
As she had done with a number of other princesses in the ‘80s and ‘90s, Sherri Stoner leant her acting to serve as an animation reference model for Belle. While many of Stoner’s mannerisms were put into the character, animators also looked at a number of famous actresses in order to design the bookish beauty’s appearance. The likes of Grace Kelly, Vivian Leigh, Audrey Hepurn, Elizabeth Taylor and, perhaps more than any others, Natalie Wood influenced Belle’s features. After initial designs, animators sought to make Belle appear “less perfect” while still being the titular “Beauty” of the film. With Wood being considered a stunning actress, but who never necessarily became a fashionista or sex symbol, it’s easy to see why she was chosen to inform Belle’s whole “girl next door” vibe.

Ariel
Known first and foremost for her vibrant red hair, it may come as a surprise that Princess Ariel drew inspiration from a famous brunette! At the time of Ariel’s conception, teen celeb of the ‘80s, Alyssa Milano, was starring on the popular sitcom “Who’s the Boss?”. Her expressive face and mannerisms, as well as her character’s personality were utilized to bring the quirky mermaid to life, along with some impressive live model work from Sherri Stoner. At the time Milano had no idea that she had inspired such a popular character, that is until she was asked to host a ‘making of’ featurette on the film.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

A Voice Actor, Live Action Stand-In & Inspiration All in One

A Dancer Who Helped Define the Magical Fairy

Aurora
The very definition of grace and beauty in the mid-20th century, it is no wonder that Audrey Hepburn served as the initial inspiration for Sleeping Beauty. According to Disney animator Ron Dias, right from the character’s inception, Aurora was drawn to look like the legendary British actress. Even as her design evolved, though, and she moved from brunette to blonde, her face shape, figure, and features continued to bear a striking resemblance to the fashion icon. Hepburn moved with elegance in every step due to her affluent upbringing and background in ballet, which was also reflected in the way Aurora moved. As a result, few Disney Princesses were quite as refined as Briar Rose.